Chapter Seventeen
I was in Bast. And Mandy and I planned to find jobs as cooks. I looked around. Surely an inn or a rich manor could have no cooks. And with food as fine as Mandy's it was possible for the employers to kick the old cook out just for Mandy to replace her. But then, what about me? It was good to go to somewhere new. A place that just came. A place that just opened. And an inn would fine unless Char would visit that place. But what about a rich manor? It was also likely. And the chances were bigger with the manor. I should never show myself to Char again. And this time, I won't let my feelings to control me. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how much I wanted to see him, I mustn't. An inn. That is the answer. And there would be millions of inns in a welcome place like Bast. It would be pure coincidence that Char would end up in the inn where I was.
"Let's find an inn." I told Mandy.
"An inn? Well, that is fine by me." Mandy replied.
"Where do you suppose a new inn would stand?"
I looked around. Surely there would be a new one. And a "new" sign would probably be posted there. I looked around once more. It was hard. Bast looks as if it were made of inns. Because of the many people and merchants, it was obvious that the most plentiful type of living here building one. I walked around, scanning every inn for a sign of employment. Mandy did that too. I passed the "Inn of Bast", "Resting Point", and many more until Mandy and I came across a fairly large new-looking inn. The name of the inn was "Gretchen's Inn". We went inside. Inside was simple. Five tables, each with four chairs, were scattered around the small space. A counter stretched from one corner to the other. Behind it was a jolly looking man.
"Hello there, lasses! I'm Benjamin. You can call me Ben. And what may I do for you lovely ladies?" he said.
"We saw your sign outside. We're cooks actually and we're looking for a job." I said.
"Well, it's about time a cook came here!" he said. Then he whispered to use, "My wife, Gretchen, she can't cook for her life." Then he roared, "GRETCHEN!!!"
A woman entered. Somehow she reminded me of Mandy. They both had the double chins, the frizzy hair, and the freckles. But Mandy had gray hair while she had brown. She warmly smiled at us then faced Ben. "What it is now?"
"This ladies are looking for a job. Cooks they say."
"I'm Mandy, by the way, and I'm the cook actually. This here, Ella, is my apprentice." Mandy spoke up.
Gretchen looked at us. "Let's see. They better pass the test."
"What test?" I asked out of curiosity.
"To see if you can cook, of course! Little lady, we don't just hire wandering people." Gretchen replied. "Into the kitchen you two!"
She led the way while Mandy and I followed. The kitchen was nothing more than a counter with cupboards, a large wooden table with scratches, pots and pans that hung on the stone wall, a sink, and an oven. A small orange cat curled up on the wooden floor.
"Okay. I'm afraid the only thing I have is carrots. I'm suppose to market earlier but unfortunately I have to make some beer since yesterday a large drunk group of men arrived. Make anything with the food in here. Mandy, you cook. And Ella…what will you do?" Gretchen asked.
"I could be an inn girl, if you wish. I could do anything."
"Inn girl it is. I suppose you could be one. I need plenty of help too. Can't cook you know. You could help Mandy, if she'll be cook, and me. For now, do what you have to do."
"I'll leave for awhile. I still have to market. Lot's to do. Just don't mess up the kitchen."
Gretchen left us. Mandy assembled the things she needed.
"What will you cook Mandy?"
"Carrot soup. She only has carrots. And the ingredients for it are in here too."
"Your carrot soup is delicious." I said. I remembered the taste of it. The sweet carrot taste. Turtle broth. Lemon. It really was the best carrot soup in the world. All because Mandy was a fairy.
While Mandy cooked, all I did was stare and talk to her. I knew I could be of some help but Mandy ordered me not to help. "You're exhausted, Lady. Let me do it. Do not help." Mandy had said. I wanted to help but the curse forced me not to. I think it was unfair that Mandy get to do the work. She was working for the both of us.
The smell of carrot soup wafted about. The tabby cat which was sleeping soundly looked around and lifted its little nose to smell. It woke up and rubbed its head on Mandy's leg while purring softly. Mandy didn't care. She just kept cooking and cooking and cooking. Gretchen arrived after marketing. After that, she did some beer-making. She poked her head in the kitchen once in a while to check.
"Are you finished?" I asked after a moment of time.
"Nearly." Mandy stirred the soup once more. "Finished. Gretchen! I'm finished. Now what?"
"Ben! BEN! Come to the kitchen and taste some soup Mandy made!" Gretchen roared like her husband.
Then Ben appeared. "This better be good Mandy."
"Of course it is. Mandy cooked it." I told him.
Ben shrugged me off and proceeded on tasting the soup. He got a spoon, dipped it on the pot, and placed it on his mouth. The spoon was in his mouth for only a second.
"What the heck?" He said. He dropped it on the floor and the spoon clattered. I was shocked. No one ever dropped a spoon on Mandy's cooking. I thought he hated Mandy's cooking. "GRETCHEN!!!" He thundered. "GRETCHEN COME HERE AND TASTE THIS…THIS…FOOD!!!"
Gretchen went inside, obviously shaken by her husband's sudden outburst. "What now?" she demanded, hands on her hips.
"Taste this soup, Gretchen dear." Ben gave her a new spoon. Gretchen tasted the soup. Her eyes widened and she did the most unlikely thing. She grabbed the hot pot, not minding, and sipped the carrot soup. Ben looked aghast and tried to prevent Gretchen from doing so. At first I thought he was trying to stop his wife from behaving so barbaric but the real reason was because he wanted the soup too. Mandy and I just watched. Both of us were surprised. This people must have been living on very bad tasting food.
Before Ben left to tend on the bar I heard him mutter to himself, "This ain't food!!! It's a dang good miracle!!!"
When Gretchen finished she looked at us and said, "You're hired! I've never tasted such darn good food before! And Ella, you be an inn girl Do the marketing, the cleaning with me. And Mandy, I know you have more recipes. And you should know how to do the food on the menu. You'll start today. I'm afraid I can only give you three KJs a day. We're not that rich. And besides this inn just opened."
"Wait. You see, can our pay just be boarding and lodging? You know we travel and we haven't anywhere to stay." I said.
Gretchen stared. She seemed to be thinking. "Right. That would be fine. But if you do extremely well and this inn would prosper. Expect a raise." She started to leave. Then she turned around. "Ella, dear, I think I will give you some KJs. You do need changing of clothes."
I checked my clothes. When I ran away, I was wearing the gown Mum Olga told me to buy. It looked proper enough. When cleaned. Mud, dirt, and grass stains clung on every inch of the fabric. Gretchen approached me and handed me six KJs.
"A simple one will do. And you do have other nice clothes, am I right?" I nodded. "Alright. Now Mandy, prepare to cook for some guests. I suppose some would come. The other inns are full."
Gretchen left us.
"So inn girl, go now. You better buy some clothes." Mandy said while gently shoving me to the back door. "I'll do well. Go now."
An order.
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As Gretchen had said, I bought a gown. It was simple and it reminded me of the gowns we are suppose to wear at finishing school. It was a simple pink gown. Though I wasn't fond of the color, I bought it. Since I was an inn girl there was no reason for me to be extravagant. Gretchen was right. A lot of people did come. At first I thought there were none but an merchant came in and had lunch. I got his order, served it to him, and then cleaned the place. When he placed the spoon in his mouth, he gasped. Then I saw him mouth the words, this is delicious. He gobbled the food as quick as possible. He left and came back with a horde of merchants. Each of them ordered plentiful. It took awhile for Mandy to cook all but she did. I served it to them. And when the food entered their mouths, they each had the same reaction as the past merchant. They ended up coming back for dinner. It seems that the merchants did love Mandy's cooking because they came back with a bigger crowd and bigger appetites. It was a good thing that Gretchen sent me marketing before they came. Because before they came back for dinner, another group was there too. The customers had a great time but unfortunately for me, they were a burden. I had to clean up the tables that were filled with plates and spilled food. It was a good advantage that Mandy's cooking was superb. The customers didn't leave a piece of leftover food on their plates. Mandy had a hard time too. She cooked and cooked all day. I helped occasionally but my time was always consumed by people ordering, sweeping floors, and cleaning tables. While I did the cleaning, Gretchen washed the dishes which were piling up very quickly, made the beer, and managed the marketing while I was serving. I was a bit angry with Ben. While Mandy, Gretchen, and I worked hard, all he did was grab a mug, fill it with beer or ale, slide it across the counter, and chat with the customers. Mandy and I were there in the "Gretchen's Inn" for only a day. And that day, as Gretchen told us, was the most successful day she ever had. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and when my head hit the thin pillow, I fell asleep instantly.
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Hello people!!! I just came back from a "vacation"
(well I did stay in a hotel overnight…) with a chapter!! Yay! Claidi isn't
losing her mind! Anyway, I was just out for four days…I think. But during those
days I placed a story…right? You must have seen "Catleya" by Claidi. Can you
read it, pretty please? Okay, so anyway, that story, I wrote it before my
vacation and I planned to put it here but I didn't because I was lazy (the heat
will make you wish not move…).
So I have another chapter…this chapter was made during the four day adios
moment. Is it long? I don't know. It looked short to me…
I was asking for help on where they will employ…and I decided on both. Then you will ask, "How the heck will you do it, Claidi?"
The answer is…it's a secret *grins evilly*. You have to read the future chapters to find out!
So after my endless droning, I would like to thank the people who reviewed even if some actually screamed at me saying "WHY ARE YOU TAKING A VACATION!!!"
But then, if you all hadn't screamed at me, I wouldn't be back! So thanks for screaming (I guess) and reviewing!
Ironic Paradise, Little Comet,
Blondie, Eowyn,
Cherry Lee (don't feel bad! You're in Chapter Fifteen! Check it okay?), Shadow Child
Faeriegurl, Marshmellow16b
blue-angel1204, fufie,
FairySpirite, Neko-chan,
Laria and cool camzy blue.
Man that's a lot! Thanks sooooooo much for reviewing!
Nayie
