“And that is how I won.” Joham finished sharing with the shieldmadien as Narayan, Sillia, and the servant girl returned the empty plates to the table. “Alright…everyone, EVERYONE,” Joham shouted from the table top. "It is now time to place your votes. Before me I have two baskets, both will be passed around to everyone. If you liked the bread you have just tasted please, take a small pebble from the ground and place it in the sage green basket, if you don’t like it, then place the pebble in the round, dark brown basket. Once everyone has cast their stone we will share the results.”
“Joham!” A loud male voice yelled from the very back,” What are the wages for this bet.”
“Ahh, Lowdrel, I will not give that away at this time,” The master baker yelled back. “Very soon you shall all know.”
Rholarowyn stood on the table and watched the crowd as the people bent over or offered little coins to the children to find them small pebbles for the vote. There was warmth in her heart as she realized how many of them had become good friends in the short time she’d been here. Granted a note requesting her acceptance into the village community by Elbren himself to the baker and his family hadn’t hurt, but after the last two years it was nice to be among normal people on a normal summers evening knowing that she and Narayan were now safe. She felt another tug of gratitude when she thought of how so many of the people had accepted Narayan too, though not at first. Rholarowyn had wondered what kind of reception he would receive once they were back out in the real world and no longer being protected by those who willingly offered her and her son refuge. Still, it was not until the old widow with the clouded eyes had given Narayan a special necklace that the town truly began to look beyond the color of his skin, hair, and heritage.
Finally the two baskets had made their rounds and were brought to the feet of Joham and Rholarowyn and set upon the table. The baker looked down, took inventory, and then returned his eyes to the crowd. “My friend’s how could you do this to me?” His voice was dramatic yet playful. “I am your town baker, your friend, and this is how you repay me? Clearly I was mistaken about you loyalty…Well I must say that the results are close.” Rholarowyn did her best to keep a straight face but finally the smile broke through, anyone looking at the contents of the baskets could see that in fact the results were clearly in her favor.
“It is with much regret that I must inform you all that I have indeed lost this bet and my sheildmaiden friend from Rohan has won.” The crowd remained silent, purposely adding to Joham’s drama. “O.K. fine…as per the terms of our agreement, me and my family…all 16 of us, will now prepare a dinner feast unlike you have ever had before…”The crowd erupted with overwhelming applause “…and, AND, we shall have more of this bread with our feast, if Rholarowyn would be willing to show me how she managed to make something edible from that sack of useless flour that I thought Sillia had thrown away a year ago.” The crowd erupted again.
“Well, alright then, I best get going if I’m going to have something prepared for you all at a reasonable hour. Please everyone, make yourselves at home. We have a few booths open for drinks and ale, and musicians; will you please entertain us with some music for dancing while I go busy myself with the preparations?”
Joham then turned to Rholarowyn, “My Lady,” he stated as he turned around, held out his hand, and helped her down from the table. Soon he was standing next to her. “Joham,” Rholarowyn asked, “How are you going to prepare food for all of these people tonight?” He answered quickly, “Do not worry my friend, with these feast everyone in town helps out with the cooking and the baking and the fresh dishes. We shall have a feast ready to eat in one hour, maybe two. However, I could use your help. Would you and Narayan bake some more of your bread for the feast? Once you are at your booth there will be several women who will come to join in and help. I am sure of it.”
The shieldmaiden smiled. “You know Joham, this wasn’t’ part of the bet and I still expect my prize, but for tonight I will gladly help with preparing for the feast and will make as many loaves as I can with the mesquite flour that is left.” Joham did a slight bow, “Thank you, and do not worry I will not forget what I promised you.”
“Joham!” Sillia’s voice rang out from a short distance away, “You better get yourself home and start cooking or we will be up all night.”
The baker quickly dashed off and Rholarowyn and Narayan began to work their way through the crowd. Several people congratulated her with handshakes and compliments as the two headed towards the baking booth. Once there Rholarowyn began to take inventory of their stock. “Narayan, we have enough here to get started on several loaves, but we will need to make a run back to Joham’s house for the rest of the flour and some more milk and herbs.”
“Would you like an extra pair of hands to help?” It was Ryomer standing at the edge of the booth. “Have you ever baked before? The shieldmaiden asked. “Well…ah, yes…a few times, anyway.” He answered. “Great! Put that on.” Rholarowyn instructed as she pointed to the fabric apron ball still rolled up in his hands. She then pulled another apron down off the peg and quickly tied it around her waist. “Alright, let’s get started…”
.
So True the Arrow, So Steady the HandNo word in your quiver goes errant,
no thought from your bow is misspent,
no image falls short of your target,
so true are the arrows thus sent.
Your heart with a steady compunction
pulls the bowstrings few others could ply,
your story does more than just function--
your steady hand helps my heart fly!
Thank you Parm for your wonderful poem.

Sharing another adventure with Eari in the Scriptorium:
Once There Were Words