Page 26 of Lord of Misrule

“Ah, my little brother has been bitten by the love bug,” said Rook with a chuckle. “And so soon after meeting the woman, too.”

“Nay, that is ridiculous!” spat Tolin, not wanting to believe he was under anyone’s spell. Especially not the baker wench even if she was lovely and a big distraction. No girl had ever affected him this way. He needed to stop this losing streak before he also lost his reputation. “I just had some ill luck, that’s all. But I assure you, it will all end tonight. After the main meal. I will challenge any of you to any game and I assure you I will not lose again.”

Kit couldn’t believe the feast being served at the castle’s Christmas dinner. She had never attended this meal before and now wondered why she hadn’t.

The food was fantastic, delicious, and a work of art. The castle cooks were truly amazing. The servants kept bringing out course after course, starting with soup, lampreys, and vegetables, followed by eight different kinds of meat. There were dishes she’d never seen before, like the stuffed chickens made to look like knights riding atop pigs. The chickens were cooked and dressed in clothes and had little jousting poles in their hands. No expense was too much for Blake Castle. Or perhaps Tolin was trying to show off, she wasn’t sure. Either way, it truly was impressive.

“Mother, did you see all the meat?” asked Parker, helping her to mix the ingredients for the cakes that were to be served as part of the Bean King game that would take place after the main meal. “They even have a swan with feathers on it yet!”

“No, Parker. They reattached the feathers after the bird was cooked,” she explained, ladling the contents of the fruit-and-nut cake into the proper pans, getting it ready for the oven.

“Try this!” Oliver walked over and held up a piece of roasted boar to her mouth. Kit tasted it and robust flavor exploded on her tongue.

“That is really delicious,” she said, licking her lips.

“Kit, look at the boar’s head,” Brenna called out from the table as she helped with the baking. She pointed to a large tray being carried by two male servants. On the center of the tray was the cooked head of a huge wild boar. In its mouth was a baked apple. Around the boar’s head were stewed figs and baked quinces sprinkled with lots of currants and what looked like spices.

“Look, Mother, what’s that?” Parker stood up on the bench to see over the heads of all the people working in the kitchen.

“It looks like a peacock,” said Kit. “Oh my!” She held her hand to her mouth in shock. The cooked bird also had its feathers reattached and they were spread out in a colorful and wide display of the bird’s elaborate plumage. It was surrounded by cooked root vegetables that were somehow carved to look like flowers.

“Don’t forget the salt cellar for the main table,” called out one of the servants. “Where is it?”

“Oh, here it is.” Kit ran over and picked up the large silver dish that was shaped like a boat. Inside, it was filled to the top with salt to be used by the nobles. Salt was expensive and not everyone had the luxury of seasoning their food with it. The servants and peasants sitting below the royal dais would not have this luxury as they were from ‘below the salt.’

“Take that out to the dais right away,” commanded the man who was the head cook.

“Who? Me?” asked Kit.

“Yes. The nobles need the salt. Don’t forget to bring a spoon. Hurry.”

“But I need to⁠—”

“Hurry, before we are reprimanded by Lord Tolin,” shouted the cook.

“Oliver, perhaps you could do it?” asked Kit, holding the salt cellar with two hands.

“Nay.” He shook his head. “I’m supposed to be in the stables. Besides, and it wouldn’t bode well for me if Lord Tolin knew I was in here snitching food.”

“I suppose you’re right,” said Kit with a sigh. Since Oliver was missing fingers, she couldn’t take the chance that he might drop or spill it. Kit looked over to Brenna next who was rubbing her belly. Her sister could barely walk let alone carry a cellar filled with salt. Nay, this would never work.

“Here’s a spoon, Mother.” Parker stood on his tiptoes and placed a spoon into the salt cellar. She considered having Parker bring it out, but figured he was too small and wouldn’t be able to lift it to the raised table.

“All right, I’ll do it. I’ll be right back. We need to get those cakes in the oven.” Kit took a deep breath and slowly released it. She didn’t want to walk up to the dais where the nobles sat to hand them salt. But if she refused, all the servants might get in trouble. They’d been working so hard and were so tired. They didn’t deserve to be punished, especially on Christmas. Nay, she would just go quickly and deliver the salt herself.

Tolin looked up from his meal surprised to see Kit heading right toward the dais with the salt cellar balanced between her hands. Her hair was tied back but mussed. Her cheeks were ruddy and her apron was smattered with flour.

Never had such a bedraggled wench looked so enticing to him as she did right now. She was about to hand the salt cellar up to Raven, but he raised his hand to call her over.

“Bring the salt here, please,” he told her. He watched as her eyes darted back and forth. She hesitated, but then carefully carried the salt over to him. He stood up and reached down over the table to take it from her. When he grabbed it, he swore he saw her hands shaking. “Thank you,” he said.

“My lord.” She nodded quickly and turned to go, but he didn’t want her to leave just yet. Actually, he wanted her to sit next to him and share a trencher, but knew that would never happen. She was naught but a commoner, and only nobles were allowed to sit at the dais. Besides, she was a baker and belonged in the kitchen.

“Wait!” he called out, still holding the salt cellar. From the corner of his eyes he saw his brothers and sister watching him intently.

Kit slowly turned around. “Is there something else you require, my lord?”

“Yes,” he said, clearing his throat, trying to think of something. He slowly put the salt cellar down on the table. King sat next to his chair whining and wagging his tail. “It’s King,” he said.