Entering the food stall, Madison had guided us to. Passing through the heavy curtains, that blocked the doorway. The heavenly smell of slow-cooked meat and stewed vegetables wafted into my nose. Accompanied by the noise coming from the packed tables. Catching little chunks of conversation. As we made our way to an open table, on the other side of the room.

“Did you hear about the infestation of long-tailed scrapers, in the south crux?” said a man, slamming his mug against the table. With a beard so long, it disappeared under the table.

My eyes slide across, a woman wearing a Dark-green dress. As she said

“Poor Dianna, she didn’t deserve what that dirty-pig did to her. I told her she should have left him sooner.”

Taking our spots at the empty table. A waitress in a blue-grey dress came by. Lifting a small pad, She said, “Welcome to the Spotted Crow, what can I get you?”

Looking at the waitress Madison, smiled and said, “We haven’t been here before, what are our options?”

Returning Madison’s smile, the waitress said “Our specials for the day are: Chicken Patty on a bed of sea greens, Twenty-four-hour stewed duck with rice, Stoned Cracked Chicken and Baked Pheasant with Bread Pudding.

“Yum! That sounds absolutely delicious.” Madison said, smacking her lips, In hunger. Turning her head, to look at us, she said: “What are you guys thinking of getting?”

In his usual baritone, Alfred said, “I think I’m going with the Baked Pheasant with Bread Pudding.”

Taking a second to decide what I wanted to get, I said, “I am gonna have the Twenty-four-hour Stewed Duck with Rice.

With a thoughtful look on her face, Madison said, “Hmm, I think I will go with the Baked Pheasant with Bread Pudding as well.”

Turning her head to look at the waitress, Madison said, “We will take two Baked Pheasant with Bread Pudding and one Twenty-four-hour Stewed Duck with rice.”

Scribbling on the small pad, the waitress said, “Okay, that will be ready in a few minutes. Can I get you anything to drink?”

Not taking any time to respond, Madison said, “I’ll take some water.”

Chiming in Alfred said, “I’ll also take water.”

I really wanted juice, but I didn’t want to be a hassle. Smiling, I said, “I guess, I’ll take water too.”

Pocketing her small pad, the waitress said, “Okay, I’ll be back shortly with your food.”

Watching her walk away, I thought about telling Madison and Alfred. About Marcus lying, but then thought about all the snippets of conversation. I caught, walking through the room. It probably would be better to wait till I can talk to Mancin and Daphnia. Plus their rooms have wards that are way better for privacy.

While I was lost in my thoughts, our waitress brought our food. Standing by our table, holding a wide-rimmed tray, with three plates of food and our glasses of water on it.

Picking up two of the plates of food from the tray perched on the edge of the table. Placing them in front of Madison and Alfred. The waitress said, “Here ya go, two plates of the Baked Pheasant and bread pudding.”

Picking up the last plate on the tray, placing it in front of me. She said, “And one plate of Twenty-four hour Stewed duck with rice.”

Smiling at us, the waitress said, “Here are your waters, if you guys need anything just wave and I’ll be right over.”

Finishing our meal, it was delicious. It was perfect, turning to Madison, I said, “That was perfect, it was a great choice coming here. Thanks, Madison.”

Paying our bill and leaving the food stall. Making our way through the late evening crowd. It was a completely different experience from the day time crowd. The people in the crowd wandered around in a haze, instead of walking with purpose. There was a heavy scent of alcohol. That drifted on the night breeze, around the streets of West end. At least it wasn’t a problem to keep up with Madison, no one was in a rush.

Entering the corridor leading to the Hayward’s rooms. Stopping Madison, I said, “I’m really tired after today. I think I’m just going to go to my room.”

Smiling at both Madison and Alfred, I said. “Please thank your parents for breakfast this morning, and Thanks for inviting me, today was fun.”

Looking at me in surprise, Madison said, “Oh okay, and it’s not a problem.”

Smiling, She said, “I’m glad you could come, I had fun too. We’ll take you to your room then head to my parent’s rooms after.”

“Are you sure I don’t want to be any trouble,” I said, looking at Madison questioningly.

Laughing, Madison said, “It’s not a problem at all. Right, Alfred?”

Shaking his head in agreement, Alfred said, “Ya, it’s basically on the way to your parent’s rooms anyway.”

It didn’t take us long to reach my room. Along the winding corridors of West end. We said our goodbyes and parted ways at my door. Entering my room, shutting my door behind me. I let a breath in tired relief from the stresses of the day.