The air in the Solaris Tavern kitchen was thick and comforting, savory scents emanating from the flat-top grill. Ayron, moving with the practiced efficiency of a seasoned chef, slammed the large, hand-formed patties of seasoned meat onto the hot surface. The sizzle was immediate and satisfyingly loud.

  “How hungry are ya?” Ayron asked, not looking up from the grill.

  “I’m starving. It smells delicious. I’ll take whatever you give me,” the tavern owner responded from his perch at the wooden island counter. He watched the young man with an appreciative eye. Ayron, who had only been with them a short time, moved through the cooking space as if he owned it, every motion economical and deliberate. “You know your way around a kitchen, huh?”

  Ayron chuckled, the sound light amidst the frantic sizzling. He expertly flipped the patties, their undersides a beautiful, dark brown. “I’ve been cooking for myself since I could walk, so I had to make sure it tasted good.” He then reached for the long handles of the fryer baskets, revealing golden-brown chicken cutlets alongside a batch of perfectly fried, crisp potatoes.

  “I picked up a lot of kitchen work when I was younger; most are set up similarly.” He commented, demonstrating his point by quickly draining the oil from the fries and tumbling them into a large metal bowl, dusting them liberally with a mixture of salt and dried herbs. The aroma changed again, adding a sharp, spicy note to the air.

  “If you ever want a job as a chef, let me know,” Kaysi commented seriously. “We have good help here, but no one but me to lead the charge back here. If I didn’t know you were a foreigner, I would’ve thought you came from the Fillicidai Culinary Academy.”

  “Let’s start with a couple of days a week, sound good?” Ayron said, keeping his eyes on his work. He wasn’t prepared for the generous compliment. The Fillicidai Culinary Academy was a staple across the planet. With several locations in different kingdoms, it was an institution on planet Ardor. All the famous chefs have gained their education from the school. Ayron was self-taught by many different influences, some coming from Fillicidai Academy.

  “Ooooh! That smells delicious!” Jaysi sang, pushing through the swinging kitchen door with a theatrical flourish. Her eyes were bright, drawn in by the powerful scents. “Ayron’s cooking? I can smell it down the street.”

  “I made plenty. Grab another plate,” Ayron said, his attention split between the fries and the burger assembly. He plated the seasoned fries first, then placed the toasted bottom buns on the plates. The architecture of his creation began: a thick, juicy burger patty, followed by a crisp chicken cutlet, another patty, and finally, a generous pile of sweet, grilled onions that glistened with grease. He handed the towering plates to Kaysi and Jaysi before turning to dress his own. He topped his creation with several thick-cut dill pickles and a drizzle of a makeshift barbecue sauce he’d cobbled together from local honey, tomatoes, vinegar, and ground spices.

  Kaysi stared at the monumental meal, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and confusion. He turned the plate slowly. “What on Ardor is this concoction?”

  “We call them burgers back home,” Ayron explained, finally taking a moment to admire his work. “They’re usually not this fancy, but I wanted a little treat after today.”

  “Fascinating! We’ve eaten meat with bread on the side, but never in a manner like this!” the tavern owner grinned. He gave the entire structure a gentle smash with his palm, compressing it slightly, then opened his mouth wide, an ambitious attempt to get everything into one bite. He chewed for a moment, his eyes closing in pure sensory pleasure. “Oh my gods,” Kaysi groaned, the sound audibly one of profound satisfaction.

  The sound and smell proved to be an irresistible beacon. The swinging door burst open again. “What is that smell??” Jak, followed by his friend, stepped into the kitchen, their eyes scanning the plates.

  “Ayron made dinner!” Jaysi smiled, wiping a spot from her chin with a napkin. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

  “Two more coming up!” Ayron called out, taking a hearty bite of his own burger. He walked to the sink, quickly scrubbing his hands, already planning the next four stacks. The rhythm of the work was soothing, the immediate, positive reaction to his food a balm to his usually tightly-wound spirit. For the first time in what felt like months, the young man felt himself beginning to relax, the familiar, low-grade stress melting away in the face of culinary feats.

  “There are others outside,” Jak laughed, nodding toward the main tavern hall. “They were asking if we’re open.”

  Ayron looked up, a genuine, easy smile on his face. “I’ll cook more, if it’s alright with you, Kaysi. I’m in the zone.” He had found his flow state, a sanctuary in the controlled chaos of the kitchen.

  Kaysi, finishing his last bite, chuckled and scraped his plate clean into the sink. He leaned against the counter, a satiated glow on his face. “If the kids run the bar, I’ll assist in the back with prep and running. Tell them it’s a ‘Sundi special’, fifteen krediti per plate.” The impromptu dinner service was now a business venture, all thanks to the simple, incredible 'burger.'

  “Awesome!” Jaysi quickly finished her meal before walking out of the kitchen. Within moments, Ayron could hear the sound of patrons entering the tavern.

  “I need six specials!” Jaysi rang a small bell in the kitchen window, placing tickets on the metal pick.

  “Got it!” Ayron called back, moving his neck from side to side, hearing a loud popping noise. “Let's go,” he grinned.

  Iridiana sat on the cold stone edge of a massive, ornate fountain in the town square, her feet kicking back and forth, tapping the fountain gently. She waited for her friends to finish shopping, her mind anchored to the morning's news: instructor Kaysi, her formidable former instructor, took on a new student.

  What truly captivated Iridiana was the student himself: Ayron. She couldn't stop thinking about the startling sight of his aura. It was a stark, almost blinding white, an emotional signature unlike any she had encountered. In her twenty years, she had witnessed a myriad of colored prisms radiating from individuals—the fiery reds of rage, the vibrating greens of fear, the deep purples of despair, and the radiant yellows of joy—each representing a person's dominant emotional state and potential power.

  Just like her ancestor, Aurora, the young woman was privy to seeing someone’s emotional profile outside of the prism exam. Iridiana’s world was filled with a myriad of hues emanating from every person she came across.

  Yet, Ayron's white aura defied all conventional classification. It was a blank canvas, an unsettling absence of all the familiar hues, suggesting either a profound emotional neutrality or an unparalleled, untapped power. Even her grandfather, the guild master, with his vast and terrifying experience, had only known two individuals in his more than four centuries of existence who possessed this specific, anomalous emotional signature: Ayron and himself.

  The weight of this realization settled upon Iridiana. This new boy was an enigma. From his unusually formal introduction to his almost unsettlingly calm demeanor during his second assessment, Ayron's features remained composed throughout their first interaction. Yet, despite the placid surface he presented, Iridiana, a veteran guild member and a keen observer of human nature, sensed a powerful undercurrent. There was a depth to him, a wealth of untold experiences, that hinted at a life far more complicated and perhaps dangerous than a mere fledgling adventurer.

  This intriguing nature, this aura of a past life shrouded in mystery, drew her to him without her realizing it. Iridiana found herself unable to get him off her mind, the image of his sharp, icy blue eyes and the subtle, almost alien way he carried himself playing on a loop in her thoughts. She kept wondering what his life was truly like before he appeared at the guild’s doorstep, what kind of world forged a man who spoke the common tongue fluently yet felt utterly foreign. Was he a runaway noble? A disgraced scholar? Or something else entirely? Questions continued running through her mind. She knew she shouldn't pry, but the enigma of the new guild member was proving irresistible.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "Something smells amazing!" Lyra exclaimed, nearly bolting out of the clothing shop. Her nose practically dragged her down the street. "I haven't eaten since breakfast at the guild this morning. Let's go!" Iridiana watched her friend's enthusiasm, her own curiosity piqued by the delicious scent.

  "Do you even know where you're going?" Iridiana chuckled, glancing at her crew. The four women had been inseparable for almost ten years. They'd grown up in the guild together, sharing countless missions that forged an unbreakable bond of trust.

  "No, but we gotta find it!" Kaitly joined the search, and moments later pointed east. "I think it's coming from that way."

  Iridiana followed her friends. They soon reached a busy side street, and she immediately recognized the establishment. "I thought Solaris was closed on Sundi."

  " I guess not," Sarai pointed out. Several patrons were entering, and a line was already forming outside, much to the girls' surprise.

  "It smells like it’s worth the wait," Iridiana grinned. Seeing her old instructor, Kaysi, earlier that day made her wonder how his new life was going. His tavern was clearly a success, and she was proud of his accomplishments, even if she missed him instructing at the guild.

  After waiting nearly twenty minutes, the crew finally made it inside the packed tavern. They managed to find seats at the bar, two corner seats on each side. As they walked in, Iridiana noticed a strange dish on almost every table: an astonishing amount of meat sandwiched between two slices of bread.

  "Hey guys!" Jaysi greeted them, placing coasters in front of each. "What are you in the mood for?"

  "What is that wonderful smell coming from your kitchen?" Lyra chimed in.

  "That’s our Sundi special!" The waitress beamed, pulling out a pad and pencil. "A foreign delight, called a burger, for fifteen krediti. It comes with fried potatoes."

  “I’ll take one, please! And a dark ale.” Kaitly commented with a smile.

  “I’ll have the same.” Lyra grinned.

  “Same for me,” Sarai said.

  Iridiana glanced at her friends, her face scrunching, repulsed by the idea of drinking dark ale. “I’ll take a burger and cherri soda.”

  “Coming right up.” Jaysi turned on her heel, walking towards the kitchen window. “Ticket, guys,” she hollered to the cooks in the back. Within moments, the waitress had their drinks in front of them.

  “Thanks, girl.” Sarai smiled as she took a sip of her ale.

  “Sure thing.” The young woman mentioned while walking to the end of the bar, gathering refills as she passed.

  Kaitly glanced towards the crew, a sudden look of intrigue on her features. “Did you hear about Damyan’s match today?”

  “We were there,” Iridiana commented, her voice laced with a knowing, yet disappointed edge. She leaned back in her barstool, arms crossed over her chest. “I figured he’d finally bitten off more than he could chew this time; turns out I was right. Predictable, honestly.” The young woman began to verbally recreate the frantic, lopsided scene for her two absent comrades, Kaitly and Sarai.

  “Damyan was only able to get one good hit on his opponent, and even that was questionable. If I’m being brutally honest,” she admitted, running a hand through her thick ebony hair, “I think Ayron let him strike his jaw, just to make it look convincing for the crowd and give Damyan a tiny, pathetic shred of hope.” Iridiana laughed as she continued her tale.

  “With the fighting prowess he was showing, which amounted to wild swings and a complete lack of footwork, Damyan was no match for him. The new guy blocked Damyan’s reckless barrage of attacks like he was swatting away gnats, not battling a serious challenger. It was over almost before it began. A spectacle, yes, but not a contest.”

  Kaitly’s eyes widened in surprise as she listened to her friend’s tale. “Wow…”

  “I’m just glad we have some new eye candy in the guild.” Lyra giggled as she sipped her ale. “And he's strong too." His attack power is 1471, higher than most of the fourth tower!”

  “Why did they allow him to compete in the lower tower?? Seems like a reckless move on the director’s part.” Sarai interjected.

  “His emotional markers are white. The blind evaluator didn’t notice the change in the room and didn’t bother to turn the lights off.” Iridiana rolled her eyes. “Shameful… That battle should’ve never happened. If the evaluators had paid attention, this debacle would not have taken place.”

  “Order!” A loud bell rang, causing the conversation to pause.

  Iridiana’s ears perked up, hearing a familiar voice. Her curiosity was instantly piqued. ‘That explains the ‘foreign delicacy’ being served. Wonder where the mystery man is from? And, how did he happen to stumble into master Kaysi’s tavern?’ The young woman pondered while she glanced at Jaysi, who was bringing the signature dish towards the crew, the scent of the unusual food wafting tantalizingly through the air.

  The waitress set the four plates down with a grin. “Here you go, guys. Enjoy!”

  Iridana gazed at the monstrous concoction in front of her. Two meat patties and a chicken cutlet, sandwiched between two pieces of bread. It was dripping with sauce and looked messy. However, the smell was too enticing to ignore. She picked up the hefty sandwich and did her best to get every part in her initial bite. A loud groan escaped her lips as she chewed. The ‘burger’ was the best meal she’s ever had.

  “Oh. My. Gods.” Lyra audibly moaned as she munched on her meal. “This is amazing!

  “What is this strange concoction??” Kaitly questioned.

  “I heard the other patrons calling it a ‘burger’.” Iridiana piped in, her voice almost incoherent as she ate.

  Jaysi made her rounds minutes later, checking on the ladies at the corner of the bartop. “Can I get some refills while I’m here? Does the food taste good?”

  “It’s delicious!!” Sarai said between bites of food.

  “Amazing! I could eat three more!” Kaitly mentioned as she wiped sauce from her mouth.

  “I want to give my compliments to the chef!” Iridiana commented as she took another large bite.

  Jaysi nodded as she took glasses off the table. “I’ll let them know! Stick around, they might be able to make an appearance.”

  “They? Is Jak helping his dad in the kitchen for once?” Sarai chuckled. “I remember him trying to make pasta, and he could barely boil water.”

  “Actually,” Jaysi began. “Our houseguest decided to cook dinner; it smelled so good, patrons thought we were open. Normally we’re closed on Sundi. Ayron gave the tavern a great opportunity.”

  Lyra nearly swooned after hearing who prepared her meal. She pressed a hand dramatically to her chest, her eyes wide and dreamy. She looked utterly smitten. “And, he can cook! That’s the trifecta!”

  Iridiana couldn’t help but chuckle at her friend’s breathless outburst. She leaned back in her wooden barstool, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched Lyra. The young woman was infatuated with the newest guild member, Ayron, the quiet, unassuming man who appeared in their guild just yesterday and was already proving to be a wildcard. Iridiana wanted to know his story. His domestic talents and fighting skills were equally impressive.

  "A trifecta, is it?" Iridiana teased, finishing the last bite of her burger. "Combat expertise, his physique, and now culinary mastery. You'll be composing a ballad for him next."

  Lyra sighed wistfully, her gaze fixed on her plate. "Don't tempt me. I’m just saying, those are three very compelling arguments for—well, everything." She picked up her burger, her earlier playful aggression replaced with a gentle awe. "He's like a character out of one of those romance novels the librarian keeps hidden. The quiet type with a soft side you only see when he's peeling potatoes."

  The swinging door of the kitchen opened with a loud clatter against a beverage machine, startling the ladies at the corner of the bar. Kaysi waved his hands in the air, a huge grin taking over his features. Iridiana immediately took notice. “We’re out of stock, ladies and gents. Feel free to enjoy our ale selection, but the kitchen is now closed. We’ll be open again tomorrow afternoon, so make sure to stop by!”

  “Will you have burgers on the menu?” One of the patrons shouted.

  “For the time being, burgers will be served every Wednasdi!” Kaysi replied, much to the tavern's disappointment. Several patrons who weren’t able to order got up from their seats, presumably to wait until the next time this delight would be served. As they left, the tavern owner shouted after them. “They’ll become a permanent fixture on the menu soon!”