The Last Blood Mage

Celina's Arrival

Xander, still simmering from Chef Gerard's scathing remarks, decided to enact a small measure of retaliation. As he passed the soup station, he slyly added a generous pinch – rather, a handful – of salt to the simmering pot, his grin barely concealed.

With a quick glance around to ensure no one had noticed his culinary sabotage, Xander slipped away from the kitchen, blending into the shadows of the corridor. His heart raced with the thrill of his covert mischief, a brief respite from the tension of their mission.

Moments later, as Xander distanced himself from the kitchen, he heard the unmistakable roar of Chef Gerard. "Who ruined the soup? This is saltier than the Dead Sea!" The chef's bellow echoed down the hallways, reaching Xander's ears.

Xander couldn't help but grin wider at the sound of the chef's outrage. His grin was a silent victory over the chef's earlier tirade. He continued on his way, moving deeper into the palace.

Quickly making his way to the servants' quarters, Xande