Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Memories, Part 6

He sat near Cemal by the fire, annoyed all over again at how much better the food looked than the feeble attempts he'd been so proud of until now.

Cemal shoved him hard enough he fell over. "Your attempts were good. If they weren't, you'd already be dead."

"Apparently I would have died this evening."

"Maybe, maybe not," Cemal said. "Those mushrooms smell pretty rancid once cooked. It's another way to tell them from the good ones. You may have decided to toss them."

"Probably. I miss real food."

Binhadi gave a brief laugh. "Oh, is that the real reason for your despondence? We left Eser's home before you could cadge several meals out of her staff?"

"Shut up."

"Where is the brandy we purchased?" Binhadi asked.

Cemal stopped fussing with the stew and reached into one of the saddlebags at his side. Pulling out two large bottles made of dark brown glass, he tossed one to Binhadi and uncorked the other. He took a swallow then handed it over.