"Aren't you cold?" Herald Talia asked.
Cherry looked over her shoulder. She was knee deep in the river so it was a legitimate question. The sun had drooped in the sky, warning her she should return to the kitchen. "I stopped feeling the cold about an hour ago."
Talia laughed but she was worried about Cherry's state of mind, judging by her eyes. "I came to see what your answer was."
Cherry stepped out of the water. She'd forgotten in all the fuss about the potential trip to the legendary Hawk Brothers. She stopped on the grassy shore and looked back at the water. She never got a chance to bury Eleri, she'd been tossed in a pauper's grave while Cherry recovered from the stabbing then was tried for the murder of her husband and daughter. It was seven months before she even learned exactly where Eleri's body washed up just outside the city.
"Cherry?" Talia stepped closer. "Have you decided?"
"I will go, once Clove has died." Cherry said flatly. "But I won't let you meddle with my magic."
Talia looked uncertain but waited for her to explain.
"Is there any law saying mages must allow the Heralds to block their powers even if they have never broken a law?" Cherry challenged as she tried to hide her nervousness. "I know there are not."
Talia joined her on the bank of the river. Her eyes were too knowing which made the hair on Cherry's neck rise. "You don't trust us. I don't know if you don't trust us to remove the blocks on your gift or if you don't trust we will send you once the blocks are in place. If you were familiar with Heralds you would know our word is as solid as stone."
"Perhaps a bit of both?" Cherry admitted. "Perhaps we can compromise, I will agree to let you block them if you truly think they are a danger, if you agree to offer the same opportunity for training to my sister, provided the Hawk Brothers agree of course."
Talia chuckled. "Elspeth has already sent word to them asking if they mind two of you. Also, Kethry has demanded that she be allowed to escort you to the Hawk Brothers. We should hear back in a day or two. Speaking of your sister, Kethry was searching for you when I saw her half an hour ago. She was heading to the stable if you wish to ask what she thinks."
"I will search her out after I see to the evening's sweet courses." Cherry said.
Talia didn't follow her as she crossed the manicured lawn of the palace, heading for kitchen gardens. Other people might bury their misery in eating but she lost hers baking. She only stopped when she had no clean dishes. Her assistants should be through cleaning at least some of the bowls and she could get started again.
At least the Lord Seneschal was happy with the situation, she was making him look very good indeed.
There were so many dishes she had sent half to the Heralds.
She was pleased to find her kitchen was a clean and serene haven once again. Cherry put on a fresh apron and looked around at the racks of deserts stacked against the wall. Perhaps the court could do without another cake, tart, pudding, cookie, pie or torte.
Her assistants watched her with worried expressions.
"Daisy, get out a pot, we are going to make some drinks." Cherry announced.
They scrambled to collect ingredients as she listed them.
As the scent of clove, cinnamon, honey, and ginger filled the air she tried to forget the giggles of her daughter.
As always, it never worked completely.
When the pot was simmering she allowed her assistants a moment to record the recipes in their books. She hadn't learned to read until she was almost twenty and she still wasn't very good at writing or spelling so all her recipes were in her head. She sometimes wondered if she would have been a better cook or a worse one if she hadn't relied so heavily on her memory.
"Daisy." Cherry called her head assistant over.
"Yes, Mistress Cherry?" The young woman said nervously.
"I am to leave in a couple months. Apparently the Valdemarans are too nervous about my magic to let me stay. I am going to recommend you as my replacement to the Lord Seneschal." Cherry said.
Daisy blushed then paled. "Oh, but I don't know one tenth of what you do!"
"Most of what we make here could be made in any kitchen. Presentation is everything." Cherry reminded her. For the remaining time I want you in here every spare moment. You are responsible for making certain each dish is perfect before it goes out the door. I will leave you a copy of my cookbook but I want you to go to a few book stores and buy what you can."
Daisy nodded. "Are you certain?"
"You are good enough you could leave for a noble house if you are not up to the test." Cherry said.
Daisy took a deep breath then nodded. "I will stay. I am honoured you have so much faith in me."
Cherry Smiled sadly. Daisy was the fourth young woman she'd set up to take her place. She was not as good as Cherry, but she hadn't the practice yet. "Well, time to work, we should make a puffed pastry. You may choose the filling."
Cherry gestured for Daisy to return to work. She nervously told the others to collect some nuts, spices, and honey to make the filling and started collecting the ingredients for the pastry.
As they worked Cherry adjusted the heat in the pot using magic.
The dark liquid swirled and coiled. A curl of cinnamon floated into sight then vanished again.
After everything it was hard to believe it was the enchanted pot that exposed her.
She made a mental note to ask for the mages to bewitch the pots for Daisy. Hopefully they would do it for all the kitchens. It would save so much time and fuel.
Cherry shook her head and turned her attention to her centre piece, a ruined Companion that would have been more than 3 feet tall, if it hadn't broken under the weight. Around it were sketches of other ideas and a bowl of her favourite chillies.
Cherry glanced at her assistants. They were the most considerate lot she'd had the pleasure to work with and would miss all of them. Cherry popped a chilli in her mouth, winced at the burn, and started work redesigning the centre piece as the smell of the drink on the stove, the nut paste filling, and the fresh pastry dough soothed her. Around the big central table the young women started chatting.
She hoped she could have a little kitchen with the Hawk Brothers. She was going to need the sanctuary to cope with the loss of Clove.