Firstly: Evelyn, Elfpen, spookisapuppy and Halt's Apprentice;

I'd like to thank you! I really appreciate the comments and feedback you guys give me and I definitely take it on board :)

Chapter 7:

|| Banquet ||

xxx

Jenny had arrived at Castle Meric two days beforehand, so she would be familiar with the kitchen and that she wouldn't be tired from the journey.

Not all Craftmaster chefs were required, but Chubb came along because he was one of the most noted chefs in Araluen, as well as to boast about her achievement. Of course Jenny hoped to win the competition and Chubb didn't doubt her ability to do it.

It was the day of the competition, which would begin at midday and continue on in the afternoon. After the chefs competed they would be invited to eat with their fellow contestants in the castle as well as anyone else invited inside.

Jenny stood with the other apprentice chefs, each from various parts of Araluen. Fiefs with a great distance from Meric hadn't turned up. It wasn't a truly official occasion but it was a day of good fun and relaxation for the people of Meric.

She didn't feel nervous or over confident. Jenny knew she had the skills of a great chef and that worrying wouldn't help her situation.

She breathed deeply, letting out the air calmly as she waited for their instructions and the signal to begin.

A man around her age, perhaps older, stood next to her. She could tell how nervous he was from his ridged stance and that his fingers wouldn't stop twitching.

Jenny allowed herself a small smile. Nerves could be a good thing for a person, but being too nervous would lower performance. She thought about helping the poor guy relax a bit, but then Head Chef Bartleby strode in, alongside various Chefs that had been invited from other Fiefs.

Jenny spotted Chubb close to Bartleby, his famous ladle dangling from one hand. He gave her a solid nod, his own form of encouragement. She flashed one of her winning smiles in return.

'Alright, let's go over the rules...' Bartleby began.

Jenny felt herself tune out, her mind abuzz with ideas she could use in the competition; winning techniques, garnishes and flavours. Besides she had already been briefed by Chubb, as had the others. He had been very impressive with the rules, making sure she knew them back to front so she couldn't possibly be disqualified.

Chubb was taking the whole thing seriously. Jenny knew she was barely able to be called an apprentice; she was so close to graduating and becoming a true chef in her own right. It was Chubb's pride on the line that was making him so caught up with everything. For this reason Jenny strived to do him proud and win, for both of them.

'...So follow the rules as you cook and do your best for yourself and your Fief. Is that clear?' Bartleby finished.

A chorus of 'Yes chef!' was echoed through the room.

'Off you go then.' Bartleby instructed.

Each contestant moved off accordingly to their allocated stations without much fuss. They were all bordering on graduating and knew that to rush their meals would end up bringing them down later.

Jenny felt her mind relax and follow the various recipes they were given.

The competition was very simple itself because all the dishes had been picked for the contestants. The challenge was to interpret the dishes in your own way and make them stand out from the rest.

Jenny's philosophy was as simple as the recipes: make her food look edible.

She figured almost any noble would get tired of the formality at dinner to wait long minutes for their food to be served. When it arrived at the table, she knew it would be better to look as delicious as it tasted instead of being scarce and perfectly presented. Her theory was logical, and yet it still surprised her how many of the others in the kitchen were changing the food so it looked like a masterpiece but would no doubt be hardly satisfying.

Of course their way of cooking might win, but Jenny had always cooked like this and had never bothered Chubb, who was as critical as they came. She wasn't going to change just for a challenge.

The afternoon wore on and Jenny could feel the tension and tired attitude pulse through the air in the large kitchens.

She was beginning to feel fatigued, but her demeanour hadn't changed. Jenny was thoroughly enjoying herself.

She hummed a tune as she dusted off a chocolate cake, the last of her dishes in the competition. Everyone else in the room was more or less at the same point.

A huge sigh of satisfaction escaped her when she placed a neat ribbon around the base of the cake, giving it flare and style. She didn't want to overdecorate it, because it was rich enough on the inside.

Glancing around her, she saw fruits on the top, masses of fine piping and rich butter icings. She knew some would be too rich and tasters would only be able to handle tiny slices.

Once she had finished, she was free to change and prepared herself for the evening.

She gave a practiced eye to her dishes that were spread out on one of the benches. She felt immensely proud of her work. It all looked delicious and suitable for any court.

Jenny gave herself a small hug, unable to suppress the smile that spread across her face.

The cooking was over. Everyone who competed was seated on a long table in the castle's hall. The Baron and the Battlemaster sat at the head of the table, alongside other nobles and important people. The Fief Chefs sat alongside their apprentices.

Jenny found herself down the opposite end of the table, but it didn't concern her where she sat. She was engrossed in conversation with a girl from Whitby Fief and the guy who had been really nervous at the beginning. She still didn't know where he came from but learnt his name was Paul.

Chubb had given her a look that spoke volumes about her performance, she was confident she did exceptionally well. He was now in a deep conversation with the Whitby Fief Chef about pastry.

Since only one of Bartleby's students was allowed to compete, the rest had taken over the kitchen after the competition, to cook dinner for the apprentice chefs. The rest of the guests would be eating the competition dishes, with the best looking ones to be chosen. Those that looked least impressive were donated to kitchen staff, and the people outside enjoying the night and festivities.

Jenny tried to keep the excitement within her as she sat waiting for the food to be brought out. She was too far away to see if her dish had survived the first criticism, but still she couldn't help but imagine her dishes being presented to the nobility.

She was far too charged with different emotions to eat when the food was brought out.

Chubb gave her a side long glance and a shake of his head. Jenny knew what he meant and let her mind go blank. She stared down at her hands as if they were the most fascinating thing in the room, as everyone else enjoyed their food.

Eventually dinner had concluded, alongside any desserts the guests had room for. Bartleby had taken his chosen judges alongside with the general comments from the dishes out of the room to discuss winners.

Jenny and the other apprentices shifted nervously as Bartleby re-entered the room. He was not allowed to vote or know the winner since one of his own had competed.

A silence fell across the end of the table where Jenny sat, as various nobles strode in and proceeded to sit.

A middle-aged man stood, a smile spread across his face. It was, after all, good fun as well as a contest.

Paul began to look nervous once more, wringing his hands on his lap like the first time Jenny had met him.

Watching him, Jenny realised how worked up they were all being over what should be a joyful and challenging competition.

She sighed. She couldn't change the votes anyway.

The man began reading out commemorations for particular dishes. Paul got a mention for a chicken breast he had cooked. At this he went from being nervous, to incredibly embarrassed, keeping his gaze away from everyone.

Finally the man appeared to be ready to announce the winner.

Third place had been called out, to which the girl from Whitby had won, as well as second place, although Jenny had tuned out at that point.

The man cleared his throat and pronounced in a strong, clear voice, 'The winner of today's Cooking Competition is...'

'...Jennifer Dalby of Castle Redmont, apprenticed to Chef Chubb.'

Chubb stood and gave a roar of approval, more than necessary as he clapped her on the shoulder with a large hand.

He quietened after that, but beamed happily knowing his reputation was secure and that his own had beaten some of the best in Araluen.

Jenny stood gracefully, unable to stop the grin that glowed in her expression.

Any nerves she had were gone, she was proud to have won and her natural charisma took over.

Chubb took her by the arm and led her to the other side of the room like the contestants who placed had done before her.

'A fine performance my girl.' Chubb told her quietly.

'Thank you.' Jenny said sincerely, beaming at him.

'No doubt you won't be my apprentice for much longer. But if you would do me a favour, stay in the Redmont kitchens for a while. The others could use the same talent and spirit you have.' Chubb requested, having to look away from her as he said it.

Jenny felt touched, knowing it was a lot for the prideful man to ask something like that.

'I'd be honoured sir.'

Chubb released her, standing to her left while she accepted a parchment that was proof of her win from the judge.

Jenny took the rolled parchment and thanked the man.

'I guess I should start with Bartleby for hosting this competition, I had a lot of fun and I know everyone else did too. I'd like to give special thanks to Chef Chubb, for teaching me everything he knows. I don't think I would have won this without him.' Jenny finished.

There was a cheer of applause, mostly because she had made humble comments and hadn't boasted in any form. As Chubb's best apprentice, the crowd had expected his competitive nature to have passed onto her. They were pleasantly surprised with her modest nature and easy going attitude.

Before she made her way back to her seat, Jenny turned to face Chubb and shake his hand in front of everyone.

She was shocked and pleased to find he had small, not easily visible, but existent tears in the corner of his eyes. And instead of taking her hand, he pulled her into a bear hug which was quick and comforting before he let her go to compose himself.

Jenny couldn't help but smile at this proud but fatherly man that had taken her in years ago.

She turned around and was taken aback by the applause that sounded again in the room.

Jenny laughed melodically and felt as if her heart might burst if she took any more emotional turns.

She hadn't taken a step from her position before her gaze had drawn across the room and settled on someone unexpected. She spotted the familiar face near the head of the table, seated opposite the Battlemaster.

It was as if nothing had changed since she last saw him.

His expression was warm and loving; his gaze was set on her as if she were the only one in the room.

Then he smiled.

And her heart nearly stopped beating.

Author's Note:

Sorry for lack of update, I posted new stories and then didn't have time to post this. But loving the response to the new story as well as the random one I posted. Thanks so much guys :)

By the way, I split this chapter. The next and the previous were going to be one chapter, but now it's three. At least I get a cliff hanger! ;)

Last chapter was a view into the life of Gilan; this one was into Jenny's. (The cooking and not the competition...)

A good response means I post next chapter faster!

On a different chain of thought: Chef Chubb is a mouthful, don't you think?

- Mae.