Yup, its eeeeee. Grimlochs singsong voice didnt quite match the grin that exposed row upon row of sparkling, deadly, white teeth. The sharkmans smile seed fixed, never reaching those doll-like black eyes, giving his face an almost sinister look. Im here to eat all your food. He growled.
Oh, by the Traveller, no. Alex whispered as though the Ravener itself had walked through the door.
Grimloch! a familiar voice cried from behind the sharkman. Nua-Oge poked her head from behind her brother. Morning, Alex! Forgive my brother, Im going to try to control him.
Try, Grimloch supplied.
And succeed! she snapped. Our friend is having a big day today, dont ruin it for him!
Im not ruining anything. Im being all his custors. The free samples were good. Im here for the rest.
Oh by Ek-u-Dari, stop it! Nua-Oge demanded. Alex, these are my friends.
She introduced four students Alex had never t before, and he greeted them with his best custor service smile.
One of the young won looked him up and down appreciatively. Nua-Oge said you were a big man and you ran a bakery, so I imagined soone very differentI didnt think you were this kind of big.
Well, Id love to say I got these muscles from my baked goods. He smiled professionally, glancing at the window to see if Theresa was listening. She had very good ears. But thatd be a lie. And I dont need lies to sell you the best bread and pastries in the city. Co in, welco to the Roth family bakery, can I take your orders?
Grimloch, Nua-Oge and her friends gathered around the counter like goldfish when foods being dropped in their pond. Of course, he was smart enough not to make that comparison outloud, so he simply kept that thought to himself, just serving everyone with friendly, courteous, professionalism.
The big sharkman ordered nearly every one of Alexs at pies, and would have grabbed the rest if Nua-Oge hadnt stopped him. As for the others, they decided on a mixture of at pies for breakfast, and various pastries for dessert.
After all their orders were placed, Alex touched the aeld staff leaning against the back wall and conjured an army of Wizards Hands that sward the dishes in the display cases, and delivered the feast to his guests table.
Slls good, Grimloch grunted. Better taste good too.
Grimloch! Nua-Oge shook her head, handing Alex a small stack of coins. Youre terrible! Mind your manners!
No.
Guh!
As brother and sister walked to their table, Alex stared at the coins in his palm. They werent a lot, compared to the fortune he was making with Toraka Shale, or even what hed made over the years working at McHarris, but sothing about those few shining coins made him feel warm inside.
It was the very first paynt he would ever receive as the owner of his own bakery, on the very first day he opened that bakery. Alex was strongly considering framing them and putting them on the wall.
But, before he could consider the thought any further, the doors bell sounded again.
Morning Alex, I still cant believe this is the sa place, a familiar voice said. You really turned it around.
Through the doorway ca Toraka Shale followed by a small crowd. The entire morning shift was with her, including Sim, all crowding into the bakery in their work clothes with rumbling bellies and hungry eyes, looking over the nu and the goodies in the display cases.
Lagor was also there, though he rarely worked mornings.
I just had to co see how my assistant was doing with his side business, the orc said, rubbing his hands together. And Toraka wont stop talking about your cooking so, here I am, ready to taste it for myself.
Uhhi Alex said to everyone, a little stunned. In an instant, the number of guests had gone from six to over thirty. He snapped to work. Welco to the Roth family bakery, Ill be happy to take your ord
By Ek-u-dari! Nua-Oge suddenly cried from across the room. The selachar wizard stared down at a forkful of pie. Thisthis is so of the best pie Ive ever had. The cooks on campus are amazing and I know you make good food, Alex, butthis tastes like Ek-u-daris holy bounty in my mouth! Congratulations!
With a gusto that almost rivalled her brothers, she dug into her al as her companions made happy sounds of appreciation around her, alternating between shoving pastry in their mouths as fast as possible, to pausing and letting the delectable flavours saturate their taste buds.
Torakas employees watched them for a long while before turning back to Alex.
Sim raised his hand. I think Ill have what theyre having.
And so the dining area exploded in a storm of activity. Alex touched his staff again, conjuring a host of Wizards Hands that plated the order for his custors before he could even jump in himself.
With a glance toward the kitchen, he called to Troy: Well need the next batch soon! He showed his co-workers their seats. So preferred the outdoor tables, since it was such a beautiful day.Everyone soon settled down and tucked in, the dining areas went quiet.
Lagor gasped. By my ancestors, boy, whatd you do with this pie? This is apple, right? What in all the heavens did you do, go raiding a gods garden or sothing?
Thats a trade secret, Alex grinned, placing apitcher of fresh fruit juice in the centre of the table. But lets just say I had a little divine guidance when I ca up with the recipe.
Ill say, Lagor said. Well, my complints toyou. Thaish worship Uldar, right?
The Traveller, Alex corrected him with a contented smile on his face. I worship the patron saint of my hotown, so direct any praise to her. And my staff and family, of course. None of this would have been possible without them.
Well, then my complints to you and yours, and the Traveller! Lagor held up a forkful of pie as though raising a toast. You keep cooking like this, and youll be famous.
Here, here! Sim agreed, raising his own fork from across the room.
And dont forget so praise for ! Toraka called. It was my money that bought this place!
Alex laughed, and the mirth spread through the room. Inside his chest, he could feel Hannahs power tugging at him.
But, he didnt have ti to bask in it.
Troy and Lorraine ca from the kitchen with the next batch of baked goods steaming on hot trays, and Alex scurried away to get things set up. The minute that more food was ready, his custors pounced.
Lagors hand shot up. Hey, Ill take a at pie to go! And one of those croissants! A chocolate one!
Make that two! Toraka called.
Ill take ten, Grimloch said.
And with that, a swarm of orders were placed, and a smiling Alex rushed around filling them. Old mories of running around trying to get orders ready for McHarris custors during the breakfast rush ca back. Theyd been tis that were nothing but misery for him and his co-workers.
But today?
Today, he couldn't keep the smile off his face as he handed his guests their takeaway orders and accepted their paynts. Seeing all those satisfied smiles filled his heart, while their coin filled his strong box.
It was a win-win situation.
He waved as Toraka departed with the morning shift, most promising theyd be back again. Grimloch, Nua-Oge and her friends left a little later, most looking dreamy, like theyd fallen in love with the food.
As the door closed behind them, he turned to Troy, who grinned and gave him a thumbs up.
Now, this feels like old tis, when old Master Beerensteyn ran the place. His eyes shone with tears. Im sure his spirit would be tickled to see this. Sha that his son couldnt have been the one to do it, but Im happy you bought the bakery. Anyway, Id better get back to it: that rush almost wiped out our stock, so well need a lot more if this keeps up! He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, leaving them ringed in flour, then went back to the kitchen to start baking again.
As Troy got back to work, Alexs smile faded.
If it keeps up, he whispered, moving back behind the counter.
The early morning had been intense, but Alex noticed that everyone hed served so far were either people he knew, or friends, or friends of a friend, and while he was serving them, no other clients had co in. Not one.
If only friends show up, I wont be able to call this a successful business, Alex murmured. So maybe its too early to celebrate.
No sooner had the words left his mouth, than a commotion began outside.
Peering through the window, he saw folk gathered in the street, watching Toraka and her staff with strange looks on their faces. So were pointing at the bakery, and asking Toraka sothing.
She said sothing that Alex couldnt hear, then walked toward the golemworks. The folk whod spoken to her looked at each other, then startled as Claygon called to them. Alex watched them, his heart leaping into his throat as they approached the bakery.
Words were exchanged between them, Selina, Theresa and his golem, but he could only hear a snippet:
under new managent, his golem said.
Then nothing.
Alex shifted from one foot to the other.
Heartbeats passed in silence.
Then Claygon moved to the side, giving Alex a clear view of what was happening. A passerby was gingerly taking a sample from Selinas tray, sniffing it and looking at it with suspicion.
The others standing around were shaking their heads, mouthing the words no.
Co on Alex whispered. Take a bite.
Theresa leaned toward the stranger, saying sothing quietly. The man glanced up at her, thenas though he was handling a hot pepperhe slowly raised the pastry to his lips and bit down.
His eyes widened, he started chewing and nodding his head, quickly shoving the rest of the sample in his mouth. He was pointing at the trays and gesturing to his companions. His enthusiasm was t with suspicious looks, but they cautiously picked up samples from the trays.
They took bites.
Eyes went wide.
Soone swore in shock, as others whispered to each other. Alex took a deep breath to steady his nerves as the group hustled to the bakerys entrance.
The bell rang.
The door opened.
Alex put on his biggest smile.
Hello, and welco to the Roth Family Bakerys grand opening! he said, filling his voice with warmth. We have discounts and plenty of goodies to fill your bellies. What can I get for you?
Like a herd of nervous deer, the skittish custors slowly edged their way toward the counter, gawking at the decor.
One of themthe first to try Selinas sampleran his hand over his shaved scalp. Is this really Beerensteyns old place?
It was, Alex said simply. But now were taking the place in a new direction: hopefully one that can make old Beerensteyn Sr. proud.
Under new managent, is what they said outside, the bald man said. I used to eat here everyday for years before the place went badand your breads about as good as it was at the bakerys peak. Maybe even better. Howd your boss manage to pull that off?
Oh, Im the new owner, actually. Alex patted his chest. And honestly? I had plenty of help and a lot of dedication to making good, hearty food. Thats all there is to it. Would you like to try so more?
The bald man nodded, a nostalgic look in his eyes. You have any breakfast pies? They used to be the best.
Alexs smile grew. Oh, do we ever. And plenty of other goodies, too. The nus on the board. Alex pointed above his head. So when youre ready, tell what youd like.
Soon after, the young baker cheerily served the first custors that werent friends, selling them six breakfast pies, five eclairs, and a mince tart to go. They stayed and chatted for a ti, reminiscing about the old bakery and Beerensteyn Sr. before going on their way.
Alex was proud: hed done it, hed finally sold his creations to complete strangers. Hed crossed a hurdle, now things would get rolling. As more people ca in, it would encourage others to co in.
He could already imagine McHarris curled up in a ball crying.
He waited for his next custors.
Heartbeats passed.
Then minutes.
Then hours.
For much of the late morning, Alex waited at the counter, eager for the next rush.
But no one ca.
No more guests crossed the threshold of his bakery.
Nerves clawed at his belly. Whats going on? he whispered. Did sothing
The door banged open, and Alex looked up in relief, ready to welco the next custor. But that relief soon died away.
Theresa stood there, with her full death stalker face on display.
Theres trouble, Alex, she said. Big trouble.
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