The Way to a Man’s Heart
Year of the Golden Gilled Boar, 1983, Kliloln, Heiar 25th
Lunch with Hanni, Jibel, and Cheki was held underneath the shade of a tree in the inner ward. It would have been better if the beverage was cold but overall, we enjoyed catching up with the day’s activities so far. By that, I mean a few details exchanged between Hanni and I, and mostly Jibel asking questions about what Hanni taught him, or excitedly recounting a move he learned. Cheki was silent for the most part. I’m guessing it had something to do with people he was supposed to serve.
As the shade got longer, I excused myself from the group. Hanni indulged Jibel’s thirst for more instruction so they headed back to the yard. I went back to the kitchens to help prepare the afternoon snack.
Snacking wasn’t really a thing in Silaron, at least in the general populace. As for the royals or nobles, the cook told me that they ask for food whenever they fancied so, what we were going to do was a first. He was so nervous about the endeavor that he couldn’t bring himself to come and serve them himself.
It fell to me to coach the maids about what to say if asked and not to leave until the meal were done in order to ask for feedback. To ensure this was observed without much fuss given by whoever was in attendance or from Jakeli himself, I had the entrance of the maids announced by one of the guards, quoting Lord Jorj, as the person behind the experiment.
As expected, nobody in the throne room objected. Those in attendance, except Jakeli, were rather intrigued who this new lord was. Also expected, was the split verdict. Five of the seven guests liked it and three even had double servings. Just like my attempt at Osea, the drink wasn’t as popular – only three liked it. Jakeli did not give his opinion citing the need to be impartial.
The six ladies who came with me babbled excitedly as we were heading back. They weren’t holding back either, with some not only making sure I heard them, but actually threw some encouraging words my way. Overall, the sentiment was positive enough that it breathed new life into the nervous cook, gaining courage enough to ask me if he could serve it for the event that night. I agreed in exchange for three things – that he experiment on bread with nuts in them, that he make roasted nuts for us, properly this time, and that he make me nut bars. All in addition to the dipti I requested.
He agreed to all but was hesitant about the nut bars and bread with nuts. Having nothing else to do till sundown, I spent the rest of the afternoon experimenting with two maids with him supervising.
To make up for my lack of experience, especially with making bread, I made up a story about having the idea but not having the time to do it. With the help of two ladies, we finished both nut bread and nut bar experiment just before sunset. They preferred the sweeter bread while I loved the saltier variety. We all loved the nut bars but I remarked about it being a little too sweet and a little burnt, something the cook promised to fix on the next iterations. I grabbed some before heading out.
I enjoyed trying things out in the kitchen so much I almost forgot there was going to be rites for the late seneschal, pausing when I heard a voice reciting a list of someone’s deeds. This, unlike the rites for the monarchs the previous night, was a staff-only affair.
There was no waiting for relatives, distant or close, which could only mean that any relatives the old man had were not within two day’s ride. Everyone in the castle, whatever their stations were, except for those who had duties to perform like soldiers patrolling or the kitchen staff, were to attend. Tables, chairs, barrels, and spits were ready but food would not be brought out until the final rite was done. I found Jakeli standing a fair distance away from the church’s clerics to the left of the castle entrance, two soldiers behind him.
“Jakeli.” I acknowledged his presence.
“Jorj,” he responded, “how goes things? Anything I should know about before I speak?”
“Only this.” I said, handing out a nut bar.
“You seem to be liking our kitchens. Was that really you who ordered those meals be served? Earlier at the throne room?”
“Ha. I didn’t really order it, more of a bet with the cook.”
“The bet being?”
“That you royals and nobles are so spoiled you wont even know you are not supposed to eat what you’ve been served as long as you like the taste.”
He went stiff and gazed at me.
“What does that mean?”
“Well, the cook was adamant that you and guests are only served the freshest. Nothing preserved, nothing cured. I thought it was stupid. It’s not possible to make things taste good and use only fresh things. He however, could not deny what I made was simple and tasted well, despite using some… forbidden ingredients. So, I pushed him.”
“You forwent all of the procedures?”
“Mmmm mmm,” I said, taking a bite off a bar that was starting to get stickier, “used forbidden ingredients, no tasters, just me and the kitchen staff.”
“It’s there for a reason, you know.” Jakeli remarked as he too, took a small bite from the bar, “I liked both of them, but I favor the drink more.”
“You do? Really?” I could not believe my ears.
“I just wished it was colder. I suppose it wouldn’t taste as good if it had cooled down but colder, you understand?”
“I do. Exactly. I have no means to make that happen unfortunately. It’s been a sore point. Nobody seems to like the drinks I come up with.”
“You have others?”
“I tried another kind in Osea, sentiment was split down the middle.”
“Well, I liked it. And this one too. Have some more?”
“Here,” I handed him another, taking time to separate one, “are you supposed to be eating right now?”
“No, but that damned cleric is going to take all night. Juwen’s history is long. What else have you been busy making.”
I sent a glance towards the cleric reciting Juwen’s record. Even he sounded like he just wanted it over with.
“We were trying out breads with dried nuts, both sweet and salty. Maybe we’ll try something with dried fruits too, tomorrow.”
“Mmmm mmm. I can’t exactly go there now,” he said licking his fingers, “would you mind asking them to send some to me? The sweet ones?”
“Like tonight? After your… whatever it is you’ll be doing is done?”
“If possible, yes. And please, while you’re here, the kitchen is yours, to do as you please. This whole place and Riverhold’s been serving the same thing since I was a child I don’t remember what delicious tastes like anymore.”
“Maybe I’ll do just that.” I replied, looking around, “Where are your guests?”
“Dismissed them. They needn’t be here. Just some village leaders from around Osmouth.”
“Looking for favors to give?”
“And news or gossip to relay to their overlords.”
“Can’t help that. Maybe add that Juwen felt strongly and approved of the plans, saying the kingdom is in good hands and that he retired smiling yesterday. In passing, of course. That should make for a good gossip.”
“You’d have me say that?”
“It isn’t exactly a lie is it? Won’t be your first time too.” I said, looking him straight in the eyes. “But only say that if you can say it like you believe it.” I added, appealing to his pride.
“Ailian, I’ve been doing this since I was younger than Vindeth. Me and Erdimal both.”
“Where is he anyway? Haven’t seen him since late this morning.”
“He was here. Probably somewhere sulking. Arrived with several wagons filled with sweetwood.”
“Probably best to let him be by himself for now. I’m going back to the kitchens, anything else you need?”
“Yes. Do reconsider my offer.” Jakeli said with a straight face.
I just gave him a smile.