PART XI - SOUP’S ON

It was ten minutes later when yet another knock came on the door, which Xin opened to a male Goblin. He was roughly Callie’s height, with a dark green skin and long, brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. Over his clothing he was wearing a white cooking apron.

“Good evening. I have brought your supper for tonight. Could you ask the big one to help bring it in, as the pot is larger to accommodate his needs.”

“Do you need any other assistance?” Xin asked

“If you would, that would be appreciated.”

Xin called to Tazrok, and the two walked down the steps to where a small wagon was drawn by what appeared to be a small, six-legged cross between a goat and a horse. The wagon contained multiple iron pots with tight-fitting lids, crates of bowls and eating utensils, and several meter-long loaves of a light-brown bread. One of the pots was twice the size of the others.

“If you could,” the Goblin said, gesturing to the larger pot. Tazrok took its handle and walked back into the house, taking care not to spill it.

“A house of six usually gets two, but I’ll give you three loaves since you have the Ogre. That should be more than enough,” the Goblin said, stacking the bread in Xin’s outstretched arms. “Take those in and I’ll bring the rest.”

Xin carried the bread inside and soon the Goblin followed with a stack of bowls, one large and five smaller, five deep spoons, another huge spoon and a ladle. Everything was set on the small table in front of the mirror, little wisps of steam sneaking out around the lid of the iron pot. The Goblin removed a folded piece of black cloth from the stack of bowls, opened the pot and dropped an object from the cloth into it.

“Heating stone,” the Goblin said, blowing on the ends of his fingers. It will keep the soup hot for a while. Don’t eat too much, your worms will make you dizzy tonight and you don’t want to get sick. If you do feel sick, try to get outside if you can, or at least to the latrines. We really don’t need a mess to clean up. Stack up your pot and the rest on the steps in the morning and someone will retrieve them sometime during the day.”

“Thank you, Master …” Vanis said, inviting the Goblin to give his name.

“Grig. And just Grig, no need for titles. I’m just kitchen staff.”

Callie couldn’t help but to stare at the Goblin. She saw so many Gnomelike features in him, thinking back to when she looked at herself in the mirror at the bathhouse. The same nose, same ears and even the eyes were similar, although a dark brown unlike hers. Of course, the hair color was different, as was the skin color, but take those color differences away and Callie could swear she was looking at another Gnome.

“Is something wrong?” Grig asked Callie, noticing she was staring at him.

Callie quickly shook herself out of her trance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. I’ve just never seen a Goblin before and I was just noticing how alike we look.”

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“What? Never?”

“Never close up,” Callie said sheepishly.

“Oh, I see. Well, this is just me, a Goblin.” Grig put his arms out and spun in a slow circle.

"I'm sorry. It was rude of me."

Grig waved her off. “It’s fine. We do have that common ancestry. I guess we still look a little alike, save your sickly pale skin and blindingly-bright hair and strange eyes. Enjoy your soup, and have a good night.”

As Grig left, Vanis lifted the lid and the whole room was immediately flooded with the most amazing smells. A rich, beefy aroma tinged with the scent of vegetables and herbs. Callie couldn’t remember when she had smelled something so mouth-watering delicious. Maybe when she was a kid visiting her grandmother?

“That smells amazing,” Callie said. “I wasn’t hungry before but now I’m suddenly starving. And I bet the bread is just as good.”

“I’ll serve,” Vanis said as he picked up the ladle and a bowl. He scooped some liquid into each and handed them around. The bowls were a little large for Callie and even larger for Pixyl, but the Pixie climbed off her bunk and stood by her footlocker, using it as a makeshift table to stand next to. Seeing that, Callie did the same.

The soup, which appeared to be nothing more than a simple beefy broth, was absolutely amazing. All the tastes matched the smells. Tastes of fresh vegetables and savory herbs flooded Callie’s mouth and the soup warmed her from the inside as if she was sipping cocoa on a winter’s evening.

“This is really good,” Lena said between spoonfuls. “They’ve got to have a good Culinar on staff to make something this simple taste this good.”

“I should say so. A really good one, at that.” Vanis said. “At least Gold tier, maybe even higher.”

“What’s a Culinar, Vanis?” Callie asked.

“It’s a chef class.”

“You have magic chefs? Seriously?”

“Oh yes. Give a good Culinar nothing more than water and an old bone, and they can turn that into something amazing, filling and healthy. Other skills can conjure copies of what they prepare, and even create whole feasts in one, simple spell. It’s a Scholar specialist class.” Vanis broke off pieces of bread and handed them around. “Several years ago, back before the war, we had an amazing Platinum Tier Culinar visit for a special feast. She was actually another Gnome, Callie. I forgot her name. Pava? Pala? No matter, I just remember her brilliant yellow hair. She was able to create the entire feast with a wave of her hands, the plates just appearing on the table before us, and then with another wave, disappearing between courses."

Callie stared gape-mouthed, literally having nothing to say in response to Vanis and his description of what a magical chef could do.

“Is good,” Tazrok said, dipping his bread in his soup.

Pixyl, seeing Tazrok dipping his bread, did the same. She took a bite and let out a low groan of pleasure, her eyes rolling back in her head. “That is s-s-soo good.” Quickly she dipped and ate another bite. Pixyl suddenly began to realize how comfortable she was becoming with her new housemates. Could they become friends?

“I agree, Pixyl. This is better than sex,” Lena said.

“I don’t know about better,” Vanis said, “but it’s damn close.”

“It is very good,” Xin said, “but you obviously need to have better sex, Lena.”

“Not anymore, Xin,” Lena said, gesturing with her spoon to her bowl.

They all ate, spoons clicking and clacking against the stoneware bowls, lips smacking, and periodic groans of happiness oozing out from everyone’s lips. Xin and Lena both ladled up another bowl, followed soon by Tazrok and Vanis. Eventually, Callie held her own bowl up to Vanis, since she couldn’t reach.

“You don’t want to overdo it,” Vanis said. “That’s a big bowl for you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Callie retorted dismissively as Vanis filled the bowl again. “This is just too good.”

“Did you want more, Pixyl?” Vanis asked.

“I’m g-g-g-good,” she said with a warm, happy grin as she climbed back into her bunk. She lay on her stomach, gingerly spreading her wings out like a glass blanket, wincing in pain several times, but pushing through until she was comfortable.