With the new posse of chefs, the rate that the food came out multiplied. Ming and Malissa were barely able to keep up with the speed that they could cook. Everyone worked throughout the day as the lines before them only grew longer and longer.

They were all still cooking by the time that the sun had dipped below the horizon. Some people had come back for seconds, but the distraught and lost expressions that had been present all over the townsfolk had started to fade.

Arek had used up the last of his spices several hours ago. Ming had managed to find some replacements in a desecrated tavern, but those had run out as well. He rocked back, his arms aching and his back sore.

The crowd around them was massive, but the line for food had finally shrunk into the single digits. He wearily handed off the last taco and the other chefs finished up what remained on their tables as well.

Several moments of silence passed through the crowd. Ming and Malissa hadn’t left after their last trip, seeing that they’d finally gotten enough food to feed everyone. Ming had personally eaten ten of the tacos, and Malissa had scarfed down a few herself.

They’d found Belmont in the healers’ tent and had forced the man to pause from his work long enough to eat two. They finally managed to drag him out of the tent once he’d spent so much of his power that he could barely stand on his own. He stood beside Malissa, his arm looped over her shoulder and his eyelids heavy.

Arek set about wiping his wok and cleaver down with a rag, a weary smile on his face.

“You’ve done a good thing today,” Vinny said, clapping Arek on the shoulder. “Even if you did end up sacrificing some of my tables.”

“It was a team effort,” Arek replied with a weary smile.

Ming looked sadly at the dying campfires and licked her lips. Malissa patted her on the shoulder and the small mage let out a grumble. Rovin stepped out from within the crowd, a small smile on his aged face.

He’d had a taco himself, but he and the rest of the council had waited until everyone had gotten at least one serving before allowing themselves to partake. In fact, the only people that hadn’t eaten anything were from Avenguard.

“Thank you for all you’ve done,” Rovin said, looking at each of the Happy Sunflowers in turn. “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that your actions have saved Red Mount in more ways than one. You’ve gone far beyond the call of duty for a group of your level. We may not allow the Adventurer’s Guild within the city, but we will report your actions. I’m certain they’ll reward you sufficiently.”

“We’re glad we could help,” Malissa said. “I take it that Avenguard was able to clean everything else up?”

“Indeed,” Rovin said. “They just returned from clearing out the dungeon. If you’ve still got the energy, they’d like to meet with you.”

Everyone glanced at Ming, who was still in her disguise. Her hands clenched at her side. Rovin’s eyebrows rose, but he said nothing. After a moment, Ming’s body relaxed and she gave a single, jerky nod.

“We’ll come,” Arek said, putting the rag and his cookware away. He grabbed his travel pack and slung it over his shoulder. “I’ve just got to help put away what remains of these tables.”

“It’s fine,” Vinny said. “We’ll take care of it, Arek.”

The human chef extended his hand. Arek smiled and shook it once. He exchanged nods of mutual respect with the other chefs. The four of them then followed Rovin across the square and into the council building.

A large wooden table had been set up at the back of the room, behind the chairs the council normally sat in. All four members of Avenguard sat on one side of the table beside two of the other council members.

Arek sat down in the middle, with Malissa on his left. Ming and Belmont sat down to his right, and Rovin took his place at the head of the table. The two groups watched each other silently for a moment.

“The Happy Sunflowers,” Ox said, curiosity in his voice. “F ranked team. And yet, from everything we can gather, you were instrumental in stopping a monster horde.”

“That’s us,” Arek said, nodding slightly. “We’re just glad that the losses were minimal. Is there anything in particular you’d like us to explain?”

“Rovin has already gone over a lot of it. I’d just like to know how you were able to avert a horde. The strategy you used – breaking the wall to ensure that they entered from a specific spot… I never would have thought of it. Do you have a tactician amongst you?”

“Belmont has experience fighting against monster hordes,” Malissa said. “We just followed his suggestions.”

Ash leaned over and whispered something into Ox’s ear. The man’s eyebrows rose and his gaze flicked to Arek. His eyes narrowed imperceptibly. The man leaned forward over the table, resting his chin in his hands.

“Interesting. You know, it’s been quite difficult to get information on the four of you,” Ox said in a conversational tone. “We sent word to Riverfall, but Magus blocked our inquiry. I wonder why that could be.”

“I don’t think that’s relevant to the situation,” Malissa said carefully.

“Ah, but I think it is,” Ox said. Ash and Ice bristled on either side of him. However, Null didn’t even glance up from beneath his hat. As far as Arek could tell, the man was asleep.

“Please behave yourselves,” Rovin said, a frown crossing his face. “The two of you just saved our town. I would appreciate it if you didn’t kill each other immediately after.”

“Each other?” Ash asked, snorting. “It wouldn’t take long at all.”