I do not own this story, all credit to Sunjinjo.

An Overlady's Audiences Part 15

Thud had wanted to leave the hall after Jinx and her ragtag court had had lunch, but in light of the next visitor he'd stuck around a little longer. That visitor, to Jinx' and Gnarl's great surprise, was a halfling – and not just any halfling, but a chef, which meant he was at least twice the size of a regular halfling and equipped with a huge hat and an even larger butcher's knife. He was holding this at the ready, and Jinx stiffened. She could probably melt it mid-throw, but still… "Is no one relieved of their weapons in the waiting room, then?"

"The idea is alien to Minions, I'm afraid."

"Oh well." Jinx turned to the halfling. "Greetings, chef. And here we were, thinking your kind had gone extinct, what with the magical plague all over the Hills."

Her guest replied, but not in a language she understood. His voice was choppy and rough, his words short and simple, but Gnarl's ears sprang up at once and he started translating. However, Jinx couldn't understand him either as Thud immediately replied to the halfling, in his own language. Gnarl stared at him. A moment later, Thud stared back. "What?"

"Where did you learn that? You're only supposed to know your Mistress' language, you newborn."

"I've known this language since I was born. They told me I was born from a mutated halfling's life force, from the Wasteland."

Gnarl raised his bushy eyebrows. "Well, that does explain a few things. Would you let me translate now, though?"

Thud nodded, grinning. The halfling, who'd fallen silent and had been looking on in curiosity, started talking again at Jinx' amused nod. Gnarl translated, glancing sideways at Thud, who started grinning wider and wider. "Most appetited Overlady, I come as an envoy from the Hunger Hills, northeast of the Mellow Hills and largely unharmed by the plague. As you hold much of the world and are busy cleaning the Wasteland, me and my people would like to join you and your cause, and reclaim part of the Mellow Hills."

"Bob and his people aren't going to like this."

"It's not your job to keep the peace. But the relation between men and halflings might be better now Evernight has diminished in strength and the crops stand a better chance."

"We'll see… go on."

"He also asks if he might trade with you to get at more exotic foods and spices, from Everlight and Ruboria, for instance. He and his people are always on the lookout for new flavours…"

Jinx grinned. She'd never seen a halfling before, but their essence clearly lived in Thud.

"Well, chef, what do you offer me in return for this trading possibility?" Gnarl translated her question; it was strange to hear him speak those foreign words. The answer came back soon. "Knowledge of the Hunger Hills no one else could offer you, and the loyalty of the people." The chef paused. "And the training of your own cook in our kitchens. It would give us great satisfaction to get to know him." The chef rubbed his great belly at this, and Jinx could imagine the word for 'satisfaction' was related to the satisfaction after a good meal. Or perhaps he was indicating how well Thud would learn to cook?

The blue Minion was practically bouncing at the prospect, his belly moving along alarmingly. "Please, Mistress…"

"You're a fine cook already, but it is a good idea to have a look at the area. Do keep your eyes open… and enjoy." Jinx patted him between the ear webs. "I cannot imagine a better ambassador for the Hunger Hills."

Thud threw himself at her feet, rose again in the blink of an eye and hurried over to the chef. "Thank you!" He immediately started chattering at the chef in his own language, but also kept grinning at Jinx as the pair walked back to the trap door. Jinx nodded at them once before she let the flame descend.

"We're lucky we have a map from times before the Cataclysm… now at least I know what's going to emerge from under the ooze."

And we have room to fill in all the new halfling towns," Gnarl remarked. "They're going to multiply like rats under that watchful eye of yours. Rats that could become quite annoying and have done so before."

"Not if I keep a firm hold on them… their harvests, that is. There doesn't have to be hunger in the Hunger Hills, but no great abundance either. And maybe, with enough encouragement, rats could make a fine army?"

"I trust you completely, Mistress," Gnarl bowed smoothly.