Tuesday. . .
On the apartment complex. . .
The residents were looking at the posters that were put on the night prior.
Lewin Bell smiled and started to write the competition title on his notes. 'Hohoho! There's some excitement about this!'
Finn Calloway turned to see him. 'Writing again?' He asked.
'Hey, we all work on our way.' Lewin Bell replied. 'If you'll excuse me, I'm going to town to see how the people are taking this.' He left the common area grabbing his coat and leaving. 'This is going to be a HUGE story let me tell you!!' He exclaimed as he ran out.
Finn and Frederick laughed.
'Hmm. . . Gotta say, now we finally have something to look forward to this festival.' Fin commented.
'Maybe. I'm just glad that it is not a violent display.' Frederick replied.
'Aren't you a soldier though?' Green Lee, the satyr, appeared behind them with an ironic smile.
'A retired soldier.' Frederick corrected looking down. 'A retired soldier who fought to protect his king, his country and his people; not just because he felt like it.' He defended himself taking a step further.
Green Lee smiled nervously taking a step back.
'Calm down sir, he's not threatening anyone.' Finn put a hand on Frederick's shoulder. Frederick just sighed and looked to the posters once again. 'Say Green Lee, looking forward to this event?' Fin tried to changes the subject.
'Oh, you bet I am!' Green Lee smiled brightly. 'In fact, I just sent a magic message to some pals of mine! I'll be entering the contest while they are all going to bet on me or against me!' He declared proud of himself.
'Hehe. Good luck then.' Finn nodded to him.
'I appreciate your support.' Green Lee said similing. 'Are you or mr. Knight over here going to enter the contest or bet? Both? Neither?' He wondered.
'I am not sure.' Finn admitted. 'Although I will admit I am temped to enter the contest just to see if the orcs can beat a good welder.' He chuckled.
Frederick looked at the betting contest for a little moment longer. 'I might bet. . . But I do not have the energy to compete anymore.' He responded.
'Well it is you choice. Anyway! I am going to see open arms to check if I can apply for the contest earlier, see ya!' Green Lee bid them goodbye and left.
Frederick also left but to go back to his post at the restaurant.
Fin stared at the flyers a bit more with a smile. 'Heh, an odd contest, but I doubt anyone would dislike it.' He murmured leaving the common area.
At the school. . .
'Wooooo!! We can bet!! Fourteen years of age and beyond can bet!!' Wyatt Rosewood cheered with the other children of his age and older.
'No fair!' The two pairs Rosewood twins (the two male twins who were twelve years of age and the female twins who were seven years of age) exclaimed with jealosy.
'Well, if fourteen-year-olds can be apprentices, they can bet on small amounts of money and things.' The teacher shrugged it off.
At the adventurer's guild. . .
'Hehe! Do you see this?' A human adventurer points to the posters to his friend. 'We might as well stay till after Friday.' His friend nods in agreement.
'YES!! Let's see who can eat more and still be standing!!' An orc roared with pride.
'Wow, a mortal contest for the living. . . How cute.' A vampire with a heavy and dark cloak smiled with irony. 'And it seems they let the young ones have fun betting in such contest, adorable.' He left with nothing more to say.
'Hahaha!' A dwarf was laughing seeing the posters. 'Hey guys! Take a look at this! Open arms has finally done it!!' He called for his group.
'Hohoho! Free food until you can't anymore?!' The youngest dwarf read through the pie eating contest flyer with a smile. 'I am in!!'
'If fourteen year olds can work with metal then they can also work, they most definetely can bet on things like this.' The oldest dwarf determined approving of the age restrictions.
The other dwarves nodded in agreement.
'So, Who's gonna enter and who's gonna bet?' The fourth dwarf asked.
They all looked at each other, as if they did not know whether to fight about it or just raise their hands and say what they want to do.
'I do not have the stomach to eat that much more anymore.' The oldest dwarf replied. 'I will take the bet stand, but will not enter the contest.'
The dwarf who noticed the poster nodded in agreement. 'Yeah, I am the second oldest so I will bet as well.' He patted one of the youngest dwarf's shoulder. 'You both have fun!!'
The youngest dwarves cheered for themselves and high fived each other. Then, they quickly went to take a closer look at the posters to read fmore of the details.
'How much are you going to bet?' The second oldest dwarf asked the oldest.
'I do not know. . . Probably either the one hundred coppers or some small crafts. . . Maybe a mix of both.' The oldest shrugged. 'We have until Friday to decide.'
'May the spirits up in the sky hear you.' The second oldest chuckled.
At the restaurant. . .
Everybody was chatting and staring at the flyers and posters for the eating contest and the bets. Although, like the goblins told me, some seniors and church believers tender to give me the side-eye, and some men were looking up and down at me with either a sneer or a pervert-like smile.
But I payed them no mind. I went back to my office and finally finished the cutting up the coupons. Although, now that I noticed, I saw they were all pretty dull and colorless. . .
Oh, How I LOVE making things difficult for me. I chuckled sarcastically for myself as I took out some paint of yellow, orange and red colors and went on to divide the coupons in three categories:
1. The consolation prizes -> yellow.
2. The significant prizes -> orange.
3. The big/grand prizes -> red.
It took about an hour, but it was worth it. I just painted the edges of each pile of coupons and then, went on to do the same for the coupons of the gran prizes.
Now that I remember, I forgot to go for the baskets and ribbons to the city. . . I palmed myself on the face. Ugh, I sure LOVE to make things complicated for myself. I sighed heavily.
Wednesday. . .
I dressed my children nicely, and I took a carriage to the city.
It was horrible as always. People coming and going as if they were inmortal, brutal stops here and there, etc.
Fortunately though, I was able to get myself and my children to a artesan's market where I found good baskets in small, medium and big sizes. After that, I went to a boutique and bought the three ribbons I was missing.
All these things costed and eye out of me (especially the ribbons considering that I liked the silk ribbons better), but the idea of making a lot more money to compensate these purchases made me feel hopeful.
After going through hell (yet again), to leave the city and return to town, I quickly showed Sipfra the baskets and we instantly went on to attach the ribbons, and put the basket goods for each basket.
'But wait, won't the food go bad?' Sipfra asked looking at the finished baskets.
'Yeah, but that is why I mostly put basic food items and jars that do not need to be kept in the cold for long.' I let her know as I got her to follow me and put the baskets on display on especific pedestales that I have rented. 'If anything gets too hard or gets mold, we can easily replace it by then.'
'Oh, that's good.' Sipfra nodded. 'Are the ribbons made of silk?' She asked touching one of the ribbons briefly.
'Yes.' I nodded smiling.
Sipfra turned to look at me. '. . . You have no shame, do you?' She asked.
'I will have less shame when even those envious men see me being able to afford silk and give it away like it was nothing, hehehe.' I chuckled evilly.
'You are a terrifying woman.' Sipfra commented with sweat drop at the side of her forehead.
Everyone else on the other hand, was literally looking at the baskets and the ribbons respectably.
I call that the attention grabbing was a success.
Thursday. . .
Early in the morning, I went with Sipfra's husband to make sure the betting stand was put up in the place where it was meant to be put.
I then asked Sipfra, Agnes and Valerian to take part of taking contestants. I gave a small list for the maximum of twenty contestants, and states clearly that, if the twenty contestants get filled out THAT quickly, they can proudly show them off to the public and then open the bets early on.
Sipfra, Agnes, Valerian and Sipfra's husband (who decided to stay to make sure nobody threw hands) nodded in agreement and, before I left I gave them two pouches: one with human symbols, and the other with non-humans symbols, as well as a list for the meaning of each symbol of each group (the last one was just in case).
Finally, I asked them to close the stand in general at the five six o'clock in the evening today, and then come back tomorrow at the same time they started today, to finally finish tomorrow at two fifty in the afternoon.
They nodded agreeing to it and went on to prepare the last few things before opening the stand.
As I made my way back, I could see many stands around the main street of Berrywood. Some were food, some were games, and as I made my way into the outskirts I could see children activities being prepared.
I smiled thinking of how good it will do for Liam to play and participate on such activities.
Some hours later. . .
I was helping my staff into staring at the apple cinnamon pie' ingredients and making some rough calculations about how many pies we should start with today and how many should we do tomorrow before the competition.
'What should we do if we go overboard, or if we do not make as many pies for the competition?' Orson wondered.
'Well, we can do much more than just pies.' I told him with a smile. 'We can redistribuye the flour, butter, and milk to other foods like porridge, cakes, and pancakes, as for the apples and sugar, I feel we could do some "candy apples."' I told him.
'Candy apples?' Orson wondered.
'I tried out an improvised version of sweet apples as a part of Green Lee's welcome basket gift.' I explained to Orson. 'Ever since then, he's been asking when can I do more of that because he liked it so much.' I shrugged. 'If we still have a bunch of apples after the contest, I will teach you and the staff to do the candy apple. Sounds good?' I asked him.
Orson nodded to it. 'Sounds good. Maybe we could even do a candy apple stand next year of this year goes good.' He suggested.
'Maybe.' I clarified. 'Just maybe.' I said with a smile. 'As for the amount of pies. . . I feel we should go into making eighty of them by minimum.' I suggested.
'EIGHTY?!' Orson screamed in shock.
The whole restaurant froze.
'By minimum?' Orson added feeling lightweight so suddenly. 'I'm not even thinking into contesting and I am already feeling nauseous.'
'Hehe, do not worry, I am actually expecting around eight to ten people to actually do the competition, so it should a LOT less.' I reassured Orson and the chefs arounds me. 'Also, this type of contest is NOT for weak stomachs so most people in their right mind would rather not risk it.'
The staff sighed in relief and went on to do their own stuff.
Orson them long yet feeling a bit better looked at me in horror. 'T-Then, why eighty pies?'
'Because if my guess is correct, a LOT of orcs shall want to enter the competition. . .' I responded.
The kitchen froze yet again, with flashbacks of the orcs eating and eating and eating. . . A shiver ran through all our spines. Including me.
'Suddenly the eighty pies just make sense.' Orson replied looking better.
'Yeah.' I nodded in agreement. 'Look, for now let's do as much pies as we can. Tomorrow is when we start worrying. Sounds good?' I proposed.
Orson took a deep breath and sighed. 'Yeah. . . Yeah, that sounds good.' He nodded.
At around twelve o'clock. . .
Agnes came back with the list full of names and out of breath. 'Eleven humans. . . F-Five orcs. . . Two dwarves. . . One satyr. . . And one dragonborn.' She let me know.
I checked the list, and. . . Yep. The names of some of the residents of the apartments were there. Including Karga, Calloway, Green and Rhazaroth. I took a deep sigh. 'Thank goodness, I ordered some medicine for the stomach during the weekend. It should arrive tomorrow morning at the latest.' I exhaled.
Agnes nodded in agreement.
'Orson!' I called for him.
'Yeah?!' Orson called from the kitchen.
'I have the number of contestants!! The good news is that we only have to worry about five orcs and one dragonborn!!' I let him know.
'Seriously?!' Orson ran out the kitchen. 'Like, no more orcs or dragonborns that those?' He asked.
I nodded.
'Phew!' Orson cleaned his forehead with a handkerchief. 'Well, that is quite reassuring.'
'The bad news though, is that we officially have twenty contestants.' I replied smiling sadly.
'You better pay us either in bonus or giving us discount cards or both.' Orson replied with seriouness scowling.
'I agree.' Agnes agreed with the same scowl.
I wanted to be serious, but I could not help but giggle.
'Seriously mam! We are overworking!!' Orson exclaimed exasperated.
'Hey! At least I pay most of you either fiffteen coppers per day or by hour!! In any other kitchen you would barely make it into 30 coppers per week!!' I remarked to Orson and then turned to see Agnes. 'And that's for men, you and other women would literally barely make it into five or ten copper per week!!'
'That's true.' Both Orson and Agnes replied.
'Do we still get a small bonus?' Agnes asked.
'If the bet stand makes over a thousand copper. . .' I pretended to think. 'Maybe.' I shrugged.
Agnes and Orson were scowling at me once again and I laughed heartedly.
Back at the kitchen. . .
'Well people, after some rough calculations, I've come to the decision that we must make sure to have sixty six pies ready for tomorrow!' I declared.
They all sighed in relief because sixty pies was actually a normal thing to do in the kitchen.
'But, tomorrow, just in case, we shall do another batch of around fourteen pies before the pie eating contest just in case!' I declared. 'Sounds good?'
They all agreed and immediately went to work.
A few hours later. . .
Ivy returned with the old gnome yet again, who came by with more coupons, or as I called them out loud "discount cards."
'I thought you might want some more just in case.' The old gnome offered giving back my copies.
I smiled. 'Thank you.' I took the pile of coupons and gave him and Ivy two coupons for each one already cut and painted. 'Now you do not have to do any more coupons. Enjoy!' I let them enjoy the offers.
Ivy and the old gnome smiled brightly. Ivy's coupons were "buy two breakfast muffins get one-free" and "Buy a sandwhich and get the other half the price"; the old gnome's coupons were "Get free pancakes with any breakfast (no combos apply)" and "ten coppers off any cake."
They quickly used a coupon each and saved the other another day, paying and giving the coupons to the cashier. Ivy used the "buy two get one free" coupon and the old gnome used the "ten coppers off any cake" to buy a small fruit cake (Although for him it was a big one).
I smiled knowing full well I let them get their way, but now that I have the copies returned to me, I can be safe that they will not try anything else in the future.
At the end of the day. . .
We were able to miraculously make sixty eight pies, which was a good thing. We only needed to store them safely and close things on the warehouse.
Unfortunately, I had a bad feeling. . . Yes, maybe I was feeling paranoid, but I could not help but to ask Rhazaroth to keep an eye on the warehouse and out the three mouse guardians around the warehouse just in case.
Once that was done, I felt more relaxed and was finally able to sleep.
Friday. . .
I woke up, rang the bell to wake everybody else up, and went to check on the pies.
Fortunately, the pie inventory was good and full, which was a relief for me.
The bad news came when Rhazaroth came flying with someone on his arm. It was a man well known in the town who was good in business. The man was trembling and sweating since, well, he was under the grasp of an actual dragonborn.
I exhaled knowing what this meant. 'What did he tried to do?' I asked him.
'Set the warehouse on fire.' Rhazaroth raised a burned down torch. 'Three little mouses were sqeaking at me, which was weird considering that I scare most people and normal animals, so I figured out they were trying to warn me about something. Next thing I knew, I found him coming out of the woods with this torch lighten up AND some oil.' He explained.
The man growled in frustration, but then Rhazaroth growled back and the man shut up.
I shook my head at the man. 'You really thought you could get away with it, huh?' I raised an eyebrow looking at the man incredulous. 'When did this happen?' I asked Rhazaroth.
'Just a few minutes before you rang the bell.' Rhazaroth responded. 'He must have thought that you had already rang the bell so he probably thought he could do himself a favor while the guards changed positions.' He determined.
'Either the bell sounds too strong that wakes everybody in town up, or he decided to spy.' I exhaled exhausted. 'Stay with him a few minutes extra while I get you some dinner, once Frederick and Karga get here, give the man to Frederick and we'll ask him to deliver him to the knight's station.' I ordered as I enter the restaurant. 'Good job by the way.' I told Rhazaroth with a smile.
Rhazaroth wagged his tail a little while keeping his face serious.
I entered the restaurant and after a few minutes, I got him a breakfast muffin, a whole loaf made into a breakfast sanwhich and some hot tea. Once I was outside, I saw Rhazaroth giving the man to Frederick as well as the torch and what I could guess was the— WHALE oil container?!
I gulped down for myself seeing the container's especific logo that was on the container. That oil was extremely flammable (main reason as to why I do not use it). That man clearly had a grudge over a woman who was more successful than him.
I found the situation weird though, for the goblins told me that there was bound to be more social sabotage than actual physical sabotage. Why was I not warned about this?
'L-Let me go you-you vile—*hip!*' The man who wanted to burn down my warehouse (and my restaurant in the process) exclaimed as he tried to (pathetically y clumsily) get out of Frederick's grasp. The man also had hiccups. Lots of hiccups.
Frederick smiled at that, but the smile did not reached his eyes. 'Well, the man seems to have had a LOT of drinking last night.' He chuckled unamused.
'Drinking?' I asked letting myself be known. 'Wait, he's DRUNK?!' I exclaimed in surprise as I gave Rhazaroth his dinner, who took gladly and started munching on it. Well that explains why he did as he did just now. He was so drunk he decided to do it TODAY out of alcoholic impulse. I determined with a twitch on my lip.
'Hehe, you can smell the good wine on him.' Frederick managed to keep the man on his grasp but he became clearly uncomfortable with the man still trying to escape. 'Karga, could you please cover Lady Baker's eyes? A lady of her kindness should not see this.' He asked Karga while raising a hand.
Karga nodded and with only a hand covered my eyes. I was confused what he said, but then— *POW!!* I figured he must have replicated some sort of karate chop to knock the man out.
Once my eyes were uncovered, the man who tried to cause trouble was lying still on Frederick's shoulder. 'Is he going to alright?' I asked.
'When it comes to the knock out? Indeed. When it comes to me giving him to the knight's station with the evidence and the eye witness and intervention of Rhazaroth? I am afraid not.' Frederick replied.
'Very well.' I nodded understanding. 'In that case, let Rhazaroth help you to get the things back to the station and see that things get done through.' I requested.
'Understood.' Frederick responded to me as he left and Rhazaroth nodded finishing everything that I gave him while taking the torch and the oil with his tail.
Rhazaroth then gave me back the plate and cup and then he followed Frederick on his trail.
Karga turned to look at me troubled. 'Are you sure the knights shall do something?' She asked. 'Humans knights around capital are not that obliged as they seem.' She noted.
I nodded understanding her thoughts. 'I know, which is why I sent Frederick and Rhazaroth to deal with the situation.' I responded. 'The knights may be lazy, but no knight in their right mind would want to make themselves look THAT lazy infront of a retired veteran and an actual dragonborn who worked by the kingdom's side.' I remarked with a smile.
Karga raised her eyebrows and smiled back. 'Nice.'
'Ha, I know.' I nodded. 'Want some breakfast too, or are you going to wait?' I asked her.
'I'll wait until the pie contest to eat.' Karga replied pointing to the club brooch symbol leaning on the restaurant wall. 'You prepare for the breakfast for the knight for when he comes back.' She suggested. 'And prepare for a busy day.' She added.
'Yeah, good idea.' I nodded in agreement and entered the restaurant as I prepared the inventory (and made sure that no pie was burned, just in case).
At eight. . .
The restaurant was lively and full of people, a lot of the clients were looking at the baskets with the ribbons and full of goods in the improvised pedestals.
And a lot of people were also eating the breakfast combos which is sort of good, but I made sure the flour was distributed appropiately towards the pies that were left to be made since we only have a couple of hours before the contest.
'Look guys! If we can exceed the fourteen extra pies, it will be better for everyone!' I let them know. 'We all know that despite only being five orcs, those creatures are still full-time eaters, so be sure to bake as much pies until. . .' I guessed on a specific hour. 'Twelve o'clock! By twelve o'clock, the last few pies must be in the oven and cooking!' I ordered as I helped with a few things.
'Yes mam!' They agreed.
I then left the restaurant to go to the main street to check things out. Once I was there. . . Oh boy!!
The was a whole group of people still bringing things and money!!
I made my way quickly (although a bit difficult considering that there was A LOT of people) to the betting stand and got to my employees.
Sipfra's husband and Valerian were keeping everyone away from the betting stand, but as soon as I got there, both sighed of relief. 'Lady Baker/ Miss Baker!!' Both exclaimed for me.
'I am here now! What is happening?!' I asked them.
'Well, the good news are that a lot of people made bets yesterday.' Sipfra's husband answered.
'The bad news is, a lot of people today are changing their mines about which competitor is going to win and want to change their bets or get a refund.' Valerian explained.
I frowned. 'I thought everybody was aware that refunds and change of bets were basically a non written rule of bets!?!' I exclaimed out loud making everybody get silent. 'W-W-Who in their right mind would think that this bet stand would be different?!' I demanded to know looking at all the people that were demanding.
The group of people went on to whisper and murmur among themselves.
'Look, if you all want to refunds, I am willing to do so.' I determined receiving sneers and looks from specific people. 'But before that, I must speak to the MAYOR about this.' I informed them.
'W-What?! The mayor? H-How?' Some people got nervous.
'Why do you bring the mayor into this?!' A woman who was wearing a cross necklace demanded to know.
'Because it was the MAYOR who approved of this!!' I responded with am obvious tone. 'What were you thinking?! That I would actually do some stand WITHOUT letting the mayor know?! If I was going to do something like that, I would not have bothered to splatter flyers about the contest AND the bets all over town and much less put the stand ALONGSIDE the stage!!' I pointed the obvious. 'Buuuuut, since all of you are going to ask a refund, I am going to have to talk to the mayor about this issue.' I shrugged smiling "innocently."
The group was looking shell-shocked. The people that was already going through the town was staring at the situation with bewildered eyes. Sipfra, her husband, Agnes, and Valerian were crossing their arms smiling defiant. The woman with the cross necklace was especifically shocked as well with her mouth opening and closing like a fish.
I smiled. Letting this news sink in for a few more seconds before crossing my arms. 'Well, want to wait here for when the mayor gets here? Because I promised him to check the results so far today and he should be here soon—'
I did not had to say more, for the whole group started to make excuses and disperse at the same time. 'Oh dear. . . Let's go. . . Ye-yeah. . . I forgot I had to check something.' The men were leaving while covering their faces with their eyes while the woman covered the faces and mouths with either their hands or fans.
The rest of the people who were staring as spectators applauded me for some reason.
I felt a small blush cover my face and and scratched my head. 'Hehe, now that this issue has been resolved, let me remind you all that the betting stand closes TODAY at two fifty this afternoon! After it closes, we will not accept any more bets! If you haven't given your bet best to hurry up!!' I encouraged the witnesses with a smile as I returned to my employees.
The people were still applauding me as I went to my employees. 'Anything else sabotaged or missing?' I asked with worry.
'Fortunately no.' Sipfra assured me. 'In fact, we were able to get up to two thousand coppers, plus a bunch of stuff replacing the copper.' She went on to show me the giant bag full of copper, and the stuff it was being kept as bets.
'Phew! Thank goodness.' I sighed in relief, but I still felt troubled. They might try something else afterwards. I frowned thinking what to do but then I exhaled. But I cannot ask Rhazaroth to guard the place since, he works at night and he's also competing for eating contest. I thought of the others. So is Karga, Green and I would like Frederick to keep an eye on the restaurant—wait, Karga's brother!! I smiled at that jumping at the thought. Of course, I forgot he was still working here!!
'Is something happening?' Sipfra asked.
'Yes, but don't worry, I just thought of something.' I let her know and went on to help her into moving some stuff.
Back at the restaurant. . .
'Yeah, I did not had time to enter the eating contest because Karga was the last one to do so.' Karga's youngest brother, Azruk, pouted.
'Don't worry, if there are any pies I'll give you some as a bonus, sounds good?' I offered. 'I just need you to keep an eye on the restaurant while Frederick keeps an eye on the betting loot and Karga goes to participate sin the pie eating contest.' I explained things to him. 'A drunk man almost set the warehouse on fire and I just returned from stopping a bunch of people who thought that I was doing "illegal bets" or something like that.'
Azruk raised his eyebrows. 'Wow. . . Isn't that sabotage?'
'Yes, especially the drunk man wanting to set the warehouse on fire BECAUSE the pies for the contest were there!' I pointed out. 'Coincidence? I think not.' I declared.
Azruk nodded in agreement. 'Yeah. Okay, I see what you mean.' He sighed. 'I, Azruk will guard the restaurant while the knight and my dear sister go to the festival.' He declared.
'Thank you.' I nodded to him. 'You can start doing so at two in the afternoon, so if you want to give a bet you can do so now before it is too late, and while Frederick and Karga as still here.' I proposed.
'WOOOOOOOO!!!' Azruk ran to town with speed.
Some non-humans were going inside when Azruk left running.
'Hehe, that boy is in more hurry than me when they tell me there's free beer.' A dwarf chuckled opening the door to a lovely nymph.
The nymph nodded toy he dwarf and then looked at the orc running to town. 'I personally feel like that open arms is going to need a looooong nap after this festival.' She said softly as she entered.
'We can both agree with that.' The dwarf nodded in agreement entering as well.
I heard the nymph-dwarf interaction alongside Karga and Frederick who nodded in agreement alongside me. Well, I Do need a well deserved nap after all this. I exhaled.
Then, from the distance, we heard Azruks voice through the distance. 'KARGA!! I'LL BE BETTING FOR YOU TO WIN!! YOU BETTER BE THE WINNER AND NOT LOSE!!!'
Frederick and I chuckled while Karga exhaled feeling the pressure of family honor.