Peek: A Baker's Birthday

Surprising a baker with a gift is rather difficult, and Hjerl's wife is no exception. You'd think she'd be too busy baking to notice him quietly preparing, but more than one birthday surprise has been spoiled by her sharp eyes. It'd be annoying, if it wasn't one of the many things he loves about her.

But this year he has an idea, one that, even if she discovers it, she probably won't quite get what he's doing until it's too late! He does his best to suppress his chuckle as he tests the keg of new mead, using that honey from the dungeon. He didn't let it ferment especially long, leaving it rather sweet and mild in proof, just the sort of thing Frieda will enjoy. He hammers the bung back in for now. They can take their time later to tap it and enjoy a quiet evening together.

And he needs to get going on his plan anyway. He slips out of the basement, stopping by the kitchen to give his wife a quick kiss, and receive a suspicious look in return.

"What're you up to, you old troll?" she asks, elbow deep in yeasty dough.

"Up to? Do I have to be up to something to kiss my wife and mother of my son?"

"I know your sneaky kisses, and that's a sneaky one! And it's my birthday! I know you're up to something..." she accuses with a smile.

"Maybe," he admits with a smirk, before heading for the exit. "It's too bad you're too deep in that dough to stop me. Back in a bit!"

He ducks a small wad of dough, laughing as he makes his escape out into the streets of Fourdock. He has a few places to visit for his plan, and his first stop will need to be the dungeon, or more specifically: the ratkin enclave. With it about noon, he's pretty sure he can get there without too much trouble.

While he could get some of the Shield followers to escort him, the enclave has started posting ratkin around the main mausoleum entrance into the complex, acting as guides for anyone who may wish to visit without having to fight through the dungeon to get there. He hasn't visited himself before, but he's heard of something that will be a perfect part of his plan for her.

The cemetary is respectfully quiet, as usual, with Grim keeping the atmosphere calm and serene. Right now, he's trimming the grass, so Hjerl gives him a nod as he heads for the mausoleum. A pair of ratkin relax on the steps, enjoying the noon sun. Their eyes land on Hjerl as he approaches, and he smiles and strikes up a conversation.

"Nice weather today!"

One of the ratkin nods. "It is, yeah. I've heard winter this year was weird, showing up late and staying a bit late?"

Hjerl nods. "Yeah, it was mild in the usual winter season, then it seemed like it remembered spring was coming and tried to catch up on all the snow it was supposed to drop!"

The ratkin nod at that, with the talker speaking up again. "So, no offense, but you don't seem like an adventurer. You looking to get to the enclave?"

The troll nods. "That I am. I hear you have milled fungus you bake with?"

The talker nods as the other squints at the troll, before realization dawns on his face. "Hey! You're from that bakery across from Lord Thedeim's manor!"

"He is?"

"I am."

"Man, I hope you can make something good out of the sporeflour. I mean, it's not bad, makes decent cookies, but I want some mushroom bread!"

Hjerl grins. "That's the idea! My wife is the baker, and I do brewing."

"Cool. We'll get you down there safe and quick, and back up the same."

The troll smiles and follows the ratkin, and true to their word, they get down to the enclave without any o the denizens even looking at them twice. In the enclave, it's a simple matter to trade for a sack of the milled fungus, and before long, he's back on the surface, heading to the town's miller.

The big minotaur would be intimidating if his fur wasn't always spotted white with flour dust. He's relaxing next to his millstone, his mill one of the few that doesn't take advantage of wind or water. He's strong enough to move it on his own. He smiles and waves as Hjerl approaches, recognizing one of his best customers.

"Hjerl! I was wondering if I'd see you today! It's the Missus's birthday, yeah?"

"Hey Marvy! Yeah, it's her birthday, and I have a good plan for it, too."

"Well, how can I help? You need that ground?" he asks, pointing to the sack over Hjerl's shoulder. The troll shakes his head and sets it down.

"Nah, this is already milled. It's sporeflour from the ratkins. I wanted to see what variety you have right now, maybe try some other new stuff for her."

"Ah. Well, I have coarse wheat, fine wheat, rye, barley, and if you're looking for something special, I've been working on some seawheat from Hullbreak. I have that in coarse and fine, too. No idea how well it bakes, but milling it has been an interesting challenge."

"A bit of each sounds perfect, Marvy. What do I owe you?"

The minotaur considers for a few moments as he gathers a sack of each variety. "You can have the seawheats as a gift to my favorite customer, and normal price for the rest. Sound good?"

"Sounds great! I'll make sure she knows you contributed!"

"Don't threaten me with involvement in your schemes," he jokes. "You can use my small cart, too, since it looks like you didn't bring yours."

"Yeah... I had to head to the dungeon, and I figured it wouldn't be a great place to bring it."

Marvy nods. "Fair. You heading back home, then?"

Hjerl shakes his head. "I have one more stop to make, first."

"Then good luck with the surprise!" Hjerl gives Marvy an appreciative nod as he heads to his next stop: the potter. The best potter in town, at least in Hjerl's opinion, is near the river, where the otterkin can get her clay directly before working it.

He leaves the cart outside and looks over the available crockery, looking for the perfect one. After a few minutes, the otterkin comes up beside him.

"Can I help you with anything?"

"I need something large, for storage. Your biggest vase."

She gives him a curious look. "Vases are usually not especially large. What are you trying to do?"

He considers for a moment before explaining his idea, earning a giggle from the otterkin. "Oh, I think you're going to get smacked or kissed, maybe both. I have a few large urns that are close enough in style you could get away with calling vases. They're over here."

He ends up picking out one with alternating wavy stripes of deep blue and homey brown, making him think of rivers winding through the land. The otterkin waves and wishes him good luck, and soon he's on his way back to the bakery. He stops before getting within sight, and fills the urn with the sacks, grinning wide and not bothering to suppress his chuckling. With everything set, he finishes the journey home, greeting his wife as she finishes cleaning her workspace.

She hugs him and gives him a suspicious look. "You look happy with yourself, husband. Should I be worried?"

"No, though I do have your birthday gift just outside, if you want to take a look."

Despite his assurances, she's still suspicious. "What nonsense have you done?"

"That'd ruin the surprise! I promise you'll love it."

Her suspicions are not allayed by that, but she caves in and heads outside to see the urn full of sacks. Curious, she examines the one on the top, and goes through a few before turning and giving her husband a hug and kiss.

"Ok, I do love them, but why are you looking so mischievous? I half expected the bags to explode or something."

He grins wide before answering. "What? Can't a husband be excited to give his wife a vase full of flours?"

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Inspired by it being Mother's Day, and by LinaBoeckwurm, who wanted an update on the Cobblebread bakery.