There was a pause in the story as Henry and Jack wiggled in the chair to get comfortable again, their eyes imploring Reid to continue with the story as the clock inched closer to midnight. Reid didn't disappoint as he flipped to a new page in his tablet.
"It had been four days with no new arrivals, until the King was told that a loyal subject desired an audience with him, ready to attempt the challenge to make him smile. After the King and Prince settled in their thrones, the large iron doors that led into the inner palace were opened to allow passage. The King watched solemnly as a man approached with two servants following pulling a small cart. The man bent on one knee as was customary to introduce himself to the king.
As Reid sketched a picture of a kneeling man that obviously resembled Rossi, the older man found himself the target of the amused looks of the team, shrugging it off as they all turned their attention back to the youngest profiler who was still weaving his tale.
"Your highness, my name is David, I am but a humble chef, but have brought my offerings before you." The king studied the sincere looking older man who had streaks of gray in his dark hair and beard. The king found himself intrigued by the enticing scents wafting towards the throne.
"I bring you a succulent goose roast, seasoned with savory herbs from the lands of the far east," the chef announced as he handed a dish to the guard to be passed to the king. "I often kill my own game for these dishes, searching for only the finest specimens of the animal kingdom to prepare my dishes with." As King Hotchner and the young prince dined on the many excellent offerings presented to them, the king could certainly swear that he had never tasted food as good as this anywhere. As the kings stomach warmed from the good food he felt a sense of pleasure, but it was not enough to bring a smile to his face. As it was obvious after the last dish that the chef had failed he began backing away from the king with a respectful nod."
"Wait," the King commanded, everyone halting at his powerful voice. "Chef, you have not caused me to break into smiles but your meal has far outshone anything that I have ever tasted within these walls. I would be honored if you would join our royal family and run the castle kitchen. You would have all the finest ingredients at hand to work with and a substantial salary." The king made his offer generous, still feeling the warmth in his stomach from the delicious meal.
"I would be honored," the chef bowed as he backed towards the door, "I will get my affairs in order and return tomorrow your Majesty," he announced, obviously very happy to have been invited to join the kingdom.
Rossi appeared to puff slightly with pride despite the fact that the entire story was obviously fictional, but it still felt good to have his cooking talents recognized in the story that was unfolding.
"After the chef left, the doctor appeared again. "Now will you try my potion," the young doctor requested watching the chef go, "I promise that this will solve all your problems.""
"I said no," the King responded with a scowl, obviously not willing to budge on his decision about the uselessness of potions as he again banished his friend the doctor from the room.
The crestfallen look on Jack and Henry's face was enough to indicate that they were still very much involved in the story unraveling and sympathized with the doctor who had already emerged as the hero of the story.