"What smells so wondrous?" one guard whispered.
"Is it food?" another asked, eyes wide.
"Could it be some new creation from the Lord's castle kitchens?" murmured a third.
Thorold paid no heed to the curious throng. Seeing the cooking near completion, he spoke sharply to Galen and the men:
"Fetch thy bowls swiftly! Blame no one if you delay and find nothing left for yourself!"
The guards blinked, incredulous, yet Galen produced two simple pottery bowls and set them before Thorold with a clatter.
It was then the men understood—this was indeed the meal prepared for them by their captain.
In short order, eight bowls were set, and the guards gathered round the steaming cauldron, rubbing their hands in eager anticipation.
Though the pottage was thick and cumbersome to ladle, Thorold portioned it evenly among the bowls.
He took a quiet taste himself. Though he had expected the meal to be hearty, he was surprised by its rich, fragrant flavor, which stirred appetite at once.
With care, Thorold added generous chunks of salted ham to each bowl.
"Gulp," went the first swallow—not only from the guards, but also from the curious onlookers.
Thorold lifted a spoonful to his lips. "By Saint's grace… these herbs and spices! 'Tis a feast for the senses!"
His eyes widened as he tasted again. "Good indeed!"
Galen, seeing his captain partake, could hardly wait. He held the bowl close and eagerly tasted. "Exquisite!"
At last, the guards, overcome by hunger and the enticing aroma, abandoned all pretense and dipped in.
"Never have I tasted such a thing!" one cried.
"The fragrance! Could it be herbs?" another wondered aloud.
"I once glimpsed herbs in the castle kitchens, but none smelled so wondrous!" a third said.
"Ah… this reminds me of my grandfather's feast," a fourth whispered with awe.
"Weren't you… an orphan?"
"…"
The sight of his men so eager in their feast drew all eyes—dock workers paused their labors, and even the merchants in charge could not help but gaze.
"What is that? 'Tis a wondrous aroma!"
"'Tis delectable! Surely better than white bread—gobble~"
"Aye, though not as fine as fresh venison—gobble~"
"Lo, it looks delightful! Nay, it smells most savory…"
The people upon the pier ceased their toil, dabbing at their mouths in longing. Hunger had already gnawed at them, but the scent of the hot pottage stirred their desire beyond endurance.
At that moment, a stout merchant clad in taupe approached Thorold and the others with a bow and a respectful smile.
"Sir Thorold, pray tell, what is the name of this fare? I have not beheld its like in all my years of trade."
The merchant's courtesy left Thorold with little to answer, yet he spoke between bites.
"It's just barley broth with some bits of cured ham."
At Thorold's words, the merchant, the guards, and the crowd upon the pier were taken aback. None had ever heard so strange a name, nor seen such a dish.
The stout merchant swallowed hard, barely able to restrain himself from glancing at the bowls again. Cautiously, he ventured, "Then may I ask, sir, where might one procure such fare?"
"Procure? Nay, You won't find this elsewhere—it's a delicacy kept only for our Lord's table."
Thorold shrugged, his tone tinged with regret.
The merchant's face fell, as did the eyes of those gathered on the pier. Yet, undeterred, he pressed on in a flattering tone, "Sir Thorold, wouldst thou be willing to sell? Price is no concern."
"Forgive me, Oakwyn… even though you wish to buy it, it is not for sale."
The exchange, though meant to be private, carried across the pier. Murmurs ran through the crowd.
"Lo! 'tis Oakwyn, is it not?"
"Aye, that's him—the leading timber merchant in all Brindlemark! But why does he linger here in our humble town?"
"Indeed… he is one of great renown among merchants."
Some murmured with envy.
"Ah? Not for sale?" Oakwyn asked, astonished. He had believed this a certain venture, yet Knight Thorold's refusal surprised him greatly.
"Indeed," Thorold replied simply.
Hearing the knight's firm words, Oakwyn frowned. Gold coins could purchase nearly all things in this world, and the value of lands, titles, and wares was well known.
Yet Thorold refused without even heeding the offer—hardly a thing Oakwyn could accept.
Oakwyn had risen to renown through keen sight and swift action. When he beheld this novel fare today, not only did it stir his appetite, but he saw at once the profit to be made in distant towns.
Never had he encountered food so rich that men drooled merely at the scent.
Yet Thorold gave him no purchase—but Oakwyn did not relent.
"Sir Thorold, I would give a gold coin for but a bag of your barley gruel and salted ham!"
At this, the crowd stirred in astonishment.
"A single gold coin! The rarest fare in all Brindlemark!"
"By my reckoning, one gold coin buys me a year's worth of rye bread!"
"Had I a gold coin, I might have left this town long ere now…"
Thorold, however, remained unmoved.
"Forgive me, Oakwyn, but this is not mine to grant."
Yet Oakwyn caught another meaning in Thorin's words. If Thorold could not grant it, perhaps another could. So he pressed once more:
"Then pray, how might I obtain this fare?"
"This is the Lord's private provision," Thorold explained. "Those who enter his service—such as guards of Brindlemark—may hope to share in it."
At this, the assembled crowd stirred with excitement.
"Such bounty for serving the Lord! I would join the guard at once!"
"Never mind the wages; I care only for the fare itself!"
"I would give a gold coin for this barley gruel!"
Even Oakwyn regarded the scene thoughtfully, delaying his departure, seeing potential advantage in staying.
Thorold cast a glance across the crowd. His display had drawn eager eyes and willing hearts—an unexpected boon to his task.
"Then, Knight Thorold, how might one gain audience with the Lord?"
"The Lord shall hold an event in a few days. Remain here, and you may well have the chance to meet him," Thorold replied.
---
🔍 Did you know?
💰 MERCHANT
- Merchants were often wealthier than minor nobles, controlling trade in spices, silk, and wine. Cities like Venice, Genoa, and Bruges thrived because of merchant families.
Silk Road Traders – Merchants connected East and West, bringing silk, spices, precious stones, and even ideas and religions. Some merchants became so influential they shaped kingdoms.