Ren stood in the center of the scullery, her hands resting on her hips as she stared down her ingredients.
Spread out across the wide stone tables were several massive, terrifying swamp crabs the snake guards had hurriedly gathered from the murky depths. They were easily the size of large dogs, their thick, algae-covered shells glistening and their giant pincers securely bound with sturdy marsh vines.
"Mistress!"
Ren turned around just as the two familiar female snake beastmen—one with shimmering coral scales and the other a pristine, glowing albino—slithered excitedly into the kitchen.
"We heard you returned!" the coral female beamed, her vertical pupils dilating with pure joy.
"We have been practicing our skills every single day while you were in the forest!" the albino female added proudly, puffing out her chest. "We want to help you better prepare food for the King!"
