[i]Somewhere far, far away from here, past the river Lethe, there stands a Manor.[/i]

The story would start that way. He’s quite sure of that. No one here was there.

“My name is Dolce. The very same that Redana mentioned.” From his perch on his wife’s lap, Dolce gives a bow of the head to his hostess. “Chef, and more recently, logistics officer. I manage the kitchens and the paperwork.”

[i]The chef was so unhappy, he begged a goddess to tell him what was wrong with him.[/i]

“Pirate as well, darling.”

“Hrm. I mostly recall being a chef there too.”

“Which most polite society would call aiding and abetting.” Vasilia squeeze him from behind, arm wrapped possessively around his waist. “I’m afraid you’re just as wanted as the rest of us.”

[i]He saw someone eating his meals for the first time. He replayed the memory so much he couldn’t sleep.[/i]

“Pirate by technicality, then. Though that was quite a while ago.”

[i]He couldn’t stay any longer. He couldn’t stay anywhere. He had to know.[/i]

Odd. The day was peaceful. The terrain familiar to their hostess. The food was delicious and the tea refreshing.

Where was Hestia?

They were under hospitality. They were on the cusp of completing a great and perilous quest. Redana was on the cusp of completing a great and perilous quest.

Where was Zeus?

They had landed on Gaia.

Where was Demeter?

[i]He had to know.[/i]

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Yue. The brownies and tea were excellent.”

[i]He had to [b]know.[/b][/i]