Chapter 263- Cooking

Cooking

The carriage rolled along the cobbled streets as the horses clopped towards the center of the city. It stopped for a while before a pair of massive gates as the riders escorting it dismounted. A seal, a nod, and the wave of a hand later, it traveled past the guarded walls. There, it rumbled into a domain know by many but invited by a few.

The Forgotten Palace of the Emperor.

The name, as well as the restored high walls surrounding the stately residence, conveyed this abode might have been constructed during the last couple of centuries. On entering, only then would one understand this structure was as ancient as the city itself.

Under the moonlight, the stone road left the walls and attached residences to meander across an open field. Before them, on a mound, lay the castle-like palace of the Emperor. Rumor had it, this place had never been breached even when the western walls of Frost City were torn down in ancient times.

"Look at the size of it. I dare say over thousands can live here comfortably."

"Forget the palace, look over there! It looks like a large lake. Look, there are even pavilions floating inside of it!"

"Wow! The Emperor must be really rich to have many palaces like this. I wonder if Sahara is a princess like the ones in Chu's stories?"

Mrs. Thomas smiled while watching the threesome flicker from one window to the next. These girls might possess knowledge superior to those in the Empire but in the end, they were still children. The carriage circled around the expansive main entrance and then followed a smaller cobbled lane. This led to an undecorated small gate at the far side.

Half a dozen guards stood nearby, while up on the walls, a couple of shadowy heads peered over in curiosity. Sheds dwarfed by the size of the palace lined the road opposite the gate. Sleepy bleats and grunts echoed out from beyond their doors.

The wheels ground to a standstill as the driver jumped down to join the escorts who conversed with the guards. The meeting proved short-lived since an advanced messenger had already arrived. The driver knocked and then opened the carriage door.

"Lady Thomas, they are waiting..."

***

The smell wafting in from the adjacent room initiated a few grumbling stomachs.

"Sally, didn't you eat half the fruits in the tent? You're still hungry?"

"What are you talking about, Brella? Do you think that could have filled me up?"

"Ahh, it's just I don't know why we had to come here tonight. Why couldn't we sleep until tomorrow?"

Brella pouted while sitting on the long bench. She then crumpled onto the wooden table in a heap with her small arms sprawled all over as a demonstration to her fatigue. The two little girls would have continued their objections had not the Sersen who drove the carriage returned. A plump man with a rosy round face accompanied him.

"Lady Thomas, this is the Chief Cook for the palace. He will be preparing the afternoon lunch for the guests after the princess arrives."

Mrs. Thomas nodded and then bowed to the head cook watching them with a curious expression. Anyone in his position would undoubtedly wonder why the princess sent these individuals to the palace tonight. The letter from the princess stated these visitors would provide a recipe for the chefs to make in addition to the usual roasts and stew.

"Greetings, Chief Cook. I'm afraid we have all fallen in the same wagon tonight. The princess is keen on turning her first entrance into Frost City into an unforgettable memory."

"I see. Very well then. But I have no idea what type of food caused such consternation. The cooks in the palace are well versed in all types of stews, roasts, and bread..."

An hour later, the entire kitchen clattered to life.

"Sift the flour, add salt, make a mound just like this and then open a hole in the middle. Crack an egg and mix it up into a hard dough."

Mrs. Thomas stood speaking beside the Head Chef as Sue demonstrated the art of creating noodles. While waiting for the dough to settle, they turned their attention elsewhere."

"The best meats to use are the fatty ones from a wild boar or the tender strips from deer or cows. We also like the breasts from pheasants and wild fowls. The thinner the cuts, the easier to cook."

"Why are you slicing those pieces of fat?"

"A stir-fry tastes much better when the oil complements the flavor. I am going to simmer this to produce a little oil. Where are Brella and Sally?"

Sue asked while turning her knife away from the meats to a small bowl of vegetables and mushrooms. The clatter of footsteps in the large kitchen announced their arrival.

"Here we are. You wouldn't believe how stocked their herb shed is. We found the best ingredients."

Brella said while helping Sally place the herbs onto the preparation table. The Head Cook walked over and narrowed his eyes under the kitchen lamps. Scrutinizing the herbs he looked at the two small girls who returned with one of his subordinates.

"This is Brownstripe root. Why do you want this?"

He asked. The herb was used as a cold remedy for aching throats.

"Chu said it's similar to ginger. It adds a little spice and flavor to foods. It also cuts the freshness from meats."

"How about this Greenhollow grass? This is also considered medicine."

"We call it chive back on the farm. From the leaves to the little white bulb roots, it's a great seasoning."

"And the Hawsticks? Why bring the thinner branches? We usually use the thicker stems in creating medicinal soups."

"Oh, it's not the stems we want, its the little black seeds. We grind them to create black pepper. When you taste it you will understand."

The Head Cook raised an eyebrow on listening to the answers to his questions. As a man tasked with the importance of cooking for the family of the Emperor, nothing escaped his eyes. What shocked him was the replies came from the two little girls who brought the herbs. Stealing a glance at the visitors hovering around his domain, he cranked up his alertness. As the old Sersen who accompanied them previously whispered, these people were not ordinary.

It didn't take long for the sizzling sounds of tossing meats and vegetables to rise from the pan over the heated coals. The aroma seemed to incite the rumblings of the stomachs hovering around the kitchen. A shake and a flip later, the boiled noodles joined the fray. Sue tested her creation before expertly flicking her wrist to pour the finished contents into a waiting tray.

"Old Chris, taste it."

The Head Cook ordered while waiting for the man to complete his task. Although he had observed everything from beginning to end, he yet never forgot to complete his duties. Poison testing remained mandatory or else he might find his own head on a block.

The robed man called Chris stepped forward and placed a large serving of the stir-fry noodles onto a silver platter. Inhaling a lungful of aroma from the force of habit, he chewed a bite-size portion before downing another mouthful. The gathered cooks all recognized the blissful expression plastered on his face. The warning cough from the head cook helped him regain his sanity and reminded him of his purpose for the night.

"By the Heavens, Chief. If this is my last meal, you can kill me now..."

***

The procession of the princess in the morning into the city did not have the pomp and ceremony comparable to the princes. This did not, however, deter numerous crowds from lining the street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the only daughter of the Emperor. Unlike, the princes who previously rode on horses while bearing the stiff faces of authority, the princess arrived in a veiled carriage. The drummers of the Military preceded the carriage, as they walked down the cobbled main thoroughfare.

The carriage of the Princess arrived next while under the escort from the Military and Palace guards. Following them was another carriage while the tail end of the entourage completed the rear. On arrival at the gates to the Forgotten Palace, the carriage of the Princess entered while leaving the rest outside.

Only after she held her private meeting with the Empress waiting deep within the palace would the gates reopen for the entourage. As for those Ancient Clans and high ranking nobles lucky to receive an invitation, they already waited patiently within the massive hall of the palace.

"It's hard to see much from beyond the curtains."

Sally remarked as she rested her head on the curtain while squinting.

"Consider it as showing respect to the princess. You didn't want her to be followed by another carriage with heads peering and ogling all around right?"

Mrs. Thomas said while holding her husband's arm in the carriage. Their driver for today was an arranged guard from the palace. Within their spacious carriage, the entire group sat silently. Brella sat near the other window while stroking the feathers of the ruby tinged metallic bird.

Over an hour later, the gate opened to allow passage into the Forgotten Palace. The children widened their eyes on seeing again the shimmering lake and decorated pavilions that appeared to float on the tranquil waters. In front of them, the road gently winded so as to provide an unobstructed view of the large palace. Even Mr. Thomas who never ventured beyond the gates couldn't help but hold his breath.

The carriage rambled until it entered the large open area at the front of the palace. An open gate allowed it access into a massive courtyard beyond the walls where it finally ground to a stop. The children patted their dresses and fingered the bracelets on their wrists. Even Mrs. Thomas passed her hands again to secure the light veil tied to her hair. She scanned the girls in the carriage.

"Remember, we must be on our best behavior less we shame the Princess. She has treated you as friends, something not done lightly by nobles of high status. Amanda, keep your hair covered and use your veil. Sue, you have also crossed the age of sixteen. You should also do the same. We are not on the farm anymore. Conduct yourselves as I taught you with the etiquette of young unmarried maidens."

Smiling she held out her hand and gently raised the chins of both girls. She then turned to face the others.

"Sakura, I leave the others in your capable hands. Although you are yet considered children, don't stare or ramble like untrained folks. We must show that although we are from the fringes of the Empire, we can also hold our heads with pride. Brella, keep Alicanto on a tight leash. I know the Princess requested we bring him to her celebrations but we don't want him running wild."

Her last statement initiated a snort from her husband.

"You mean you don't want him turning us into paupers. Heavens knows my coin pouch is near empty."

"That's because Brella has been feeding him all our copper coins."

Sally said as her tongue slipped.

"She... What?!"

Before Mr. Thomas could explode, an introductory shout drifted from outside the carriage doors.

"Announcing the arrival of the Thomas House...!"