The fires burned, and Benj wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead as he stuck a long wooden paddle into the oven and pulled out two loaves of bread. "Watch out, watch out!" he warned as he swung the paddle around.

Samir ducked and stood, marveling at his creations. "I think these are the best ones yet."

Benj had run into Samir on a freezing street corner. After buying him a meal, he offered him a job working for the Crownsmith as a cook. He spent long hours teaching him everything from tending a fire and baking to preparing meals. More or less annoyed with the boy's relentless talking, Bones had taken a liking to him and taught him too. Even with Bone's wordless instructions, Samir was a fast learner and had already become helpful.

"They look good so far!" Benj set the loaves down. "They're a little flat, but we'll see how they taste."

"I have the whole recipe memorized. I could have made these with my eyes closed. I don't even know where the recipe is."

"Samir, did you lose the recipe?"

"I didn't even need it; I can recite the whole recipe right now. Who needs a recipe when you have it memorized?"

"I can't be certain until I try the bread, but there's a good chance you forgot the salt."

"Why would you think I forgot the salt?" Samir asked defensively.

"Because without salt, the dough might rise too fast, giving the bread a weak structure. It's also pretty warm in here." Benj considered, turning the bread in his hands sagely. "There also might not be anything wrong with it. It could just be flat. We'll let it cool down for now, and I'll try it after the meeting. Find that recipe!"

Benj walked out of the door and approached the table with a golden skull. Light from stained glass windows came in with a kaleidoscope of color that made patterns on the floor. Reese and Lucia were already seated at the table.

"How's he doing in there?" Reese asked as Benj sat at the table next to Lucia.

"Pretty good," Benj scooted his chair closer. "He tried his hand at a flatbread; it wasn't as flat as it could have been, but I think he's going to do just fine."

Two massive doors flung open as Draiden and Captain Castor walked into the room like fire and justice. Draiden's long, red coat flared out to either side, displaying matching red trousers and his dark, bare chest. The captain's uniform was pressed and polished. High shoulder pads with golden tassels matched his red and gold sash inside an open-chested, dark blue jacket. Buttons, medals, and braided ropes gave the man an air of authority.

"Gentlemen, you are just in time," Reese greeted them.

When Draiden and the captain had settled into their seats, Reese gestured towards Benj and Lucia. "Go ahead and start us off."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Lucia looked at Benj. "Do you want to do it?"

Benj gave her a curious look and wondered, was she being nice? "Go ahead; I'll cut in later."

Reese massaged his eyes in frustration. "I honestly preferred it when you two were fighting."

Lucia began. "Successful night last night. We got about eighty royals worth in total from Axe's estate. In the end, Axe choked on a pepper and died. Now, the Trixy Minx is without an owner. I'm sure Draiden can tell us more about that."

"I have nothing to say about the pepper, but the girls are pretty happy about it." Draiden continued. "They took a vote and decided to shut the place down but keep the building. They want to borrow money and buy wool."

"How much wool are they trying to buy?" Castor asked.

Draiden shrugged. "They want all of it. The farmers are going to be shearing their sheep soon. When that happens, they're going to sell it in the open market. The girls want to buy as much as they can get their little hands on. I didn't really ask what they wanted to do with it, but it sounds like they have a plan. They want to borrow a hundred or so royals at twenty percent in one year."

Reese whistled. "That's a lot of coin, but it's doable. Bring in as many people as you want to come tomorrow. I'll hear them out, and if I like what they have to say, then I'll agree to it. Anything else?"

"Our chandler wasn't able to make his payment yesterday," Draiden said, changing subjects. "He says he's had a slow month and asks for an extension."

"Which chandler is it?" the captain asked. "I might need a large order of candles pretty soon."

"On Old Glarus Street next to the ale house. What's it called? The one where there is a cow jumping over a star?" Draiden looked around for help.

"The Wishing Cow," the captain answered. "It's a little far for a casual drink but worth the trip. Check on your chandler again tomorrow I believe he will have the requisite funds to pay you."

"I will," Draiden said. "And that's it for me. Captain?"

The captain steepled his fingers. "The overseers are satisfied with all our efforts thus far to clean up Canal Street. As it continues to warm up, the fair weather might entice more ruffians to surface into the streets. I have nothing else to add except to encourage you all to remain vigilant and take each day as it comes." After another thought, he said, "I am curious about this pepper."

Lucia opened her mouth to talk, but Reese interjected. "Peppers here," he pointed at Lucia, "gave Axe the choice of apologizing for his generally uncouth behavior or eating a pepper. He chose the pepper. It was so hot that he drank the wine that he poisoned himself just to cool down his mouth."

"I thought you said he blew flames?" Draiden raised his voice.

"He did," Benj lifted his sleeve briefly. "Singed some of my arm hairs."

Reese asked the captain if he had anything else to add. When he declined, Benj raised his hand.

"Lucia and I are leaving first thing in the morning. I just want to say that it's been a pleasure working with all of you criminals. And good luck finding replacements."

"That reminds me, I got you guys something," Reese dug in his jacket pocket. After fumbling around with a small leather sack, he held out his hands towards Benj and Lucia. He opened his hands and gave a ring to Benj and Lucia. "They have your names engraved on the inside and the Crownsmith crown on the outside."

Lucia took the ring and looked on the inside. It had the word 'Bash' crossed out and the word 'Peppers' inscribed next to it. "Thank you, that's almost very sweet of you."

Benj looked at his ring which had the word, "Bird" inscribed in it. "You got us matching rings."

"I originally got them for you as wedding presents, but you two have been dragging your feet." Reese grew concerned. "You aren't going to get married without inviting me, are you?"

"I will try to hold off until we get back," Benj said, stealing a glance at Lucia.

Reese smiled. He could see Benj was telling the truth, but probably for the wrong reason. "You know what? Whatever you decide to do, we'll celebrate when you get back."