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"The Unsung Sous" by littlebugcity
The last thing I remember before my entire world crumbled was being in the throne room of King Kelpbeard. I had just completed another successful royal dinner. A delectable five course meal, composed of Ocean Salad Delight, Fresh Oysters, Kelp Gazpacho, Filet of Beef, Octopi Souffle. Made complete with a complimentary cocktail, no less! (Aged Tchea Juice, as I recall. And I do. I can recall in, amazing detail, every meal cooked in those castle kitchens.) The King himself had called me in to personally thank me for such a marvelous meal. Beaming with pride I went to return to the kitchens when a Lady of the Court begged for my gazpacho recipe. It is quite amazing, if I do say so myself. That’s when the throne room doors burst open with a loud “BANG!”. I’ll never forget what happened next. In walks a tiny, skeletal terror known as Dread. A ruthless pirate with a nasty reputation. He demanded payment for protection. The King kindly refused, attempting to explain our meager harvest, but it fell on deaf ears. Dread cursed Maraqua and all who lived there before he stormed out of the castle. It was so quiet you could hear a sea shell drop. No one dared to say a word and avoided one another's gaze. King Kelpbeard shook his head and his pallor changed to a sickly grey. My mind racing, I dropped my head and hurried for the kitchens wanting desperately to be with the dirty dishes. To be in my comfort zone. To focus on anything else than what had just transpired. The rest of the kitchen staff joked heartily and shared what was left of the Aged Tchea Juice. Completely innocent and unaware of what was to come. And what was to come? I knew Dread was bad news, but what did that mean for Maraqua? What did that mean for the only place I’ve ever called lived?

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