As I worked my way towards the far wall, away from my most friendly guard, I started to get a feel for this section of the city. The streets are all clean of debris, but also character. From what I remember of my childhood visits, there were pots of flowers, and small benches for people to sit in the evening and drink a nice ale. Decorations would cover the windows and doors with clear minerals, or wrought work wood or iron. Now, the village was clean…but cold.

I could hear the abrasive sand under my feet from the maelstrom the guard and spread across the city, but that was about the only sound I heard. If I couldn’t sense the essence work behind the doors, I would think the village was empty.

Unlike the Main Street, no kids played here…which was surprising since these streets were much safer than the main thoroughfare. As I strolled through alleyway and street, it felt like I was moving in a circle. Everything looked the same. The same stone walls of the homes surrounded this section of the town. I now had some understanding why some of the wealthier people were building new homes. This level of monotony was painful to the soul.

As I came within a couple blocks of the wall, a small bakery on one of the corners stood out. The first store front I have seen since venturing off the Main Street. Deciding to explore, and maybe even question, I slowly turned to the store and worked my way to the elaborate door.

“Welcome. We are out of the usuals, but we do have some roseberry tarts from yesterday. If you can wait a minute, I need to get this next batch in the oven.” A high voice, almost child like in nature, wisped out of the back room. The store itself of empty of all things bread. I could see the crumbs and trays, but nothing of the bakers delight could be seen.

As I did a small circle around a center island, a petite woman came out from the back with a small bag of…well, something…I guess it was the afore mentioned roseberry tarts, but I could see nothing to confirm my guess.

“Here you go, that will be…uh…well, a bronze will do…unless you have some fruit you are trying to sell. You don’t look familiar…are you a merchant? I could use some nuts or fruit. Plain bread is a nice staple here, but this world needs variety. So…what can you do?” As I looked down on the red-headed little girl…or young woman…old woman…it was very hard to tell. Her size made me think child, but there were some lines around her eyes that indicated aging.

“I…ah…I was visiting my sister, and I was wandering the town. I used to live here, but it’s so different now. Your store…well, your building is unique, so I was curious. I would like the tarts.” Digging through my pockets, I pulled out a bronze and handed it to the tiny woman.

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She quickly pocketed the coin and then stared up at me. “Ah, you must be the captain’s younger brother. About time you made it back here, she has had to deal with your brothers all by herself. They’re a bunch of asses you know? Not worth the cost of their underwear…although I suspect they stole that from someone.” She quickly turned around and stepped up and behind the counter.

“So you looking for a job? I need someone to gather some ingredients…like you heard earlier, nuts and berries. I have the flours I need…and Carmichaelli supplies me enough butter…I just need to add some spices and zing. Your sister said you were traveling after the shattering. You find some spices you can share. I need something.” Her energy level was obviously through the roof. I could tell from her essence flows she was Weak nature tuned. However, her glow was very close to Parity. This probably explained her personality.

“Ah, I don’t have much. I have some fire pepper and warm beans that I picked up coming here, but those don’t sound like a bread spice.” She gave me a tilt of her head.

“So you looking for a job?” I guess she was still hung up on the job thing. It would be nice. I know a little about bread from watching my mom when I was a kid, but I know nothing about making it from scratch.

“Ah, yes. I am looking that is. I am not sure how much help I can be with the bread though. The most I can remember is eating my mom’s.”

“That will work. I just need someone to pop things in and out of the ovens at the right time for now. I have tried to get some of the kids in the village to help, but they all want to be guards or hunters. Dam fools will get themselves killed. The world needs bakers as much as they need guards and hunters. Dam fools.”

She popped back around the counter and stretched out her hand to shake. “I am Poppy Baker. Yes, I know. My parents were bakers. My grandparents were bakers. My great-great-great…bakers. You get the point.”

“I am Harry. You know my sister. I have been on my own for quite sometime. I am not sure how things will work out here. I will try to tell you in advance if something comes up.”

“Don’t worry about it Harry. You are simple labor for now…that’s all I need. I will pay you a bronze a week. Or in tarts, your choice. We are done for today, so come back tomorrow 3 hours before first light. This is a test Harry. If you can’t make it that early, I will wait for someone else. Got it?” Her demeanor had changed and with those words I felt like I was talking with my sister.

“Yes, Ms. Baker. I can make that.” At least I thought so…I didnt need much sleep, so I should be able to get here on time. I felt it then, the energy from doing something new. It would be nice to be a baker.

Spinning around, I quickly exited the bakery and worked my way back to the wall. The sun was working its way to setting, but it wasn’t near a true sunset yet. I had time to explore some more…time to fix the location of the bakery.

“Stop, there he is. Grab him guys, he is obviously a bandit coming to scope out the town.” Ah. My guard buddy found me.