7.1

Jewel considered the coming season as she broke fast with her household.

Bethica’s prospective ‘husband’ was due to arrive this Grain Turn. There had been major delays due to weather poorly suited for cattle and something to do with the winds that impeded the journey between Cantor and Viznove.

Then the preferred road between Kaeketeh and Rochford had flooded deep enough a ferry had been set up for lightly burdened travelers.

But while good for small parties it was incapable of carrying even a single bull according to the messages by the bird. There were doves sent from Kaeketeh stating some of the Countess’ footmen were acting as escorts along with the mercenaries hired before the caravan’s arrival in Viznove and the peddler who had procured the bull.

The thought of the vile woman still left a sour taste but as long as she lived Jewel could keep her visits to Kaeketeh to single time per year.

Paul took up another scoop of his morning bowl while Jewel carefully scooped heaping dollops out of her own pot. She was trying to avoid needing to get another spoon, but she might have to commission one in a few more years if her appetite grew much greater.

Smithson was eating his porridge while Jewel’s smaller self tried again to stomach a small portion. Alas it was still not settling very well and after even a few mouthfuls she had to return to the strips of pork that had been salted and seared for the purpose.

Jewel swallowed to clear her mouth before sharing some of her thoughts.

“The wheat fields are healthy, There is no more sign of the blight I smelled in the-”

Before Jewel could even begin to hesitate in recalling the family her husband was nodding and filling in for her lapse.

“Forest Side South Western field, Worked mostly by Elanor and Heironym’s household, with some extra labor from her uncle come harvest and sowing.”

Jewel snorted but nodded to her husband, taking the opportunity to scoop another glob of porridge into her mouth.

She always missed the years between getting a new spoon.

When Jewel was a few years old a simple one fit for her father’s hand would spill out over each side of her mouth. Now one meant to scoop up portions for a man’s serving bowl of breakfast didn't even fully cover her tongue.

Smithson finished up the last of his and then checked on her smaller self to see if she was just having trouble with the spoon or if the porridge still was unpalatable. For her part ‘Gem’ quickly shook her head and tried again to speak clearly. But mostly just mooked and squeaked trying to get the sounds to come out right.

Every meal eaten properly was a terribly dainty affair for Jewel’s larger self. And a chore of trying to make her preference known as her smaller self at least when it wasn't stew.

Jewel refused to not swallow down that delicious medley of meat, vegetable, peas and almost gravy like broth Dariusz mixed up for supper most evenings. And while actually eating any of the vegetables or grains was best to be avoided Jewel’s little mouth happily gulped down that thick broth and the tidbits of meat there in.

Her kitchen master was almost as good as his mother making up the delectable pottage!

Paul took the chance while Jewel was swallowing another spoonful of porridge to bring up how his own work was faring.

That was the rhythm they had settled in.

Plans for the future discussed in the evenings.

The labors of the past day shared in the mornings.

It happened somewhat by accident but at the same time Jewel liked the simple way of it.

“I’ve received word from afar, it was slow in reaching me but I have trust in the words written and by who.”

Smithson started fussing over Jewel’s smaller self to make sure that the bits of porridge and grease from her smaller portion of breakfast were cleaned up.

She had developed far more sympathy for her older brother’s challenges in keeping food off of his brows when they were both younger. It was amazing all the places it could end up when your arms and hands were so rough and awkward in their motions.

”There are absolutely efforts being undertaken by lords within the Realm and beyond it to hatch their own Wyrm Eggs.”

Jewel did not spill even a grain of her boiled porridge from her wyrm sized portions of course. Her larger self was held to a higher standard than that. But she did stop in scooping another dollop into her mouth.

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She also did not summon her friend and confident wizard, Tsulogothulan had their responsibilities in the Rochford court. But she made a note to do so after breakfast.

Preferably outdoors where it would not disturb the freshly laid stones of her newly built home. It had been a few years since that happened but Jewel did not want to risk it.

She pried a little, gently of course Jewel and Paul mostly seemed to get along but they had not even been married a full year yet.

“Efforts undertaken but no successes?”

Paul shook his head and the tension eased out of her wings that had already begun to flare out at his news.

“No, and by the word I receive there are a great many who likely will not manage to even get an egg at all.”

Jewel hummed and nodded along so she did not waste too much time that could be spent eating.

Paul’s portion was almost done already. Despite the size of her mouth unless she was drinking her breakfast he always had a lot less eating to do then Jewel. Smithson and ‘Gem’ were however both quite finished and mostly just waiting for breakfast to be dismissed.

“Within the Realm the High King has had to trade some rather extensive favor to his vassals in order to elevate Gryphon Riders to the station of lords proper.”

Jewel considered the way that would probably incense the Countess if he elevated either of her Gryphon Knights to a higher title. That made sense, her husband was really quite good with his network of doves flying too and fro through the air. During her flights and while Smithson and ‘Gem’ were out in the village she saw far more messenger birds in the air around Valasect than were flying through Rochford even during preparation for war.

“And bequeath them with the caring and ‘brooding’ of wyrm eggs. Which naturally he also had to pay quite heavy sums in gold from those vassals and lords of the realm who were not already Gryphon Lords.”

Jewel took three spoonfuls this time to give herself a proper mouth full, or close to it. Letting the flavor and the gritty clumps of texture run over her tongue before she swallowed hard.

It was so strange, she loved her morning porridge. But her smaller mouth found it bland, sticky and disturbing. It lacked the nuances her wyrm tongue happily enjoyed and what flavors she tasted were so unpleasant.

At least cheese, milk and meat still were palatable.

And of course Dariusz’s stews were something both tongues could agree on, although it hit far sharper and louder on the smaller palette. Then there were the numerous ways that food made its parting with her smaller self’s body.

Or the fact that her larger self never seemed to ‘relieve’ itself of the food she ate. Jewel had never wondered where it all was going before.

But after the last three years of her experience as ‘Gem’ that question tickled at her.

Was all of it going into more growth?

Surely she ate more than that in her life? No, Something else must be happening.

Maybe wyrmflame?

Did it burn food the way normal fire burned wood?

Jewel was unsure.

But besides air, flame and ‘Gem’ where else could it have gone?

“Also not all of his vassals have been willing to part with their eggs for any price. Especially given the possibility that one day they might very well hatch and elevate them as you have Bathory.”

Jewel paused at a horrific thought. If she kept eating so much would she lay another egg?

Was that how it worked?

She glanced down at the third left of her pot of breakfast, stomach suddenly feeling over full.

Jewel’s smaller stomach made a threateningly loud burble at her discomfort which immediately had smithson lifting ‘gem’ up (gently) and rushing to the chamber pot. She was pretty sure this was not going to be another ‘incident’ but her squire was nothing if not attentive.

It had happened enough times neither Paul nor Jewel needed to mention his departure. Jewel didn't fuss, her smaller self was still nearly full from this morning on Wyrmflame. She signaled Adelyne. Her bonded servant was still not really past the competence of a child half her age. But she was improving.

After getting the girl’s attention (and she was filling out enough that Jewel no longer thought the term waif applied).

“See that this does not go to waste, I’m feeling a bit less hungry this morning.”

Paul’s brow furrowed. But Adelyne was quick to heft up the cooking pot with a grunt and waddle out of the feasting hall.

Her husband spoke up after she left.

“Are you feeling alright my wife? I’ve never seen you not finish a meal.”

Jewel let out a long sigh, looking to the passage that smithson and her younger self had fled down before turning back to her husband.

“I just had the thought that if I’m not careful with the portions of my meals I might have another daughter.”

Paul startled at that.

“That can happen?”

Jewel let out another sigh. Answering her man the only way she could.

“I don’t know that it can’t.”