Weeks went by, and when another prisoner was delivered, Zirga sent the boat back to the ship with a list of provisions Tal had drawn up, along with a request for a new cook. Tal was convinced he might get the provisions, but hoped the request for a cook would be ignored. After all, Zirga had requested that a new guard be assigned when the one Will had told him of, Jasper, had died, and yet after four years, no replacement had arrived.
Tal found the kitchen a haven. He quickly organized Will and Anatoli so that the preparation of meals became easy. He then started adding variety to the diet, startling Zirga one morning with a heap of pan bread and honey, with slabs of ham, rather than porridge. He interspersed cuts of beef, pork, or roasted chickens with the stews, which he also varied, including a fish stew after he had convinced Zirga and the guards to spend a day fishing off the docks.
Subtly, he usurped command of the fortress, letting his natural leadership quietly assert itself, while Zirga unwittingly fell back into the role of sergeant, a man comfortable giving directions once tasks had been identified. Often the idea came in the form of a question, one couched in terms that made the answer obvious, and never let the former soldier suspect for a minute that he was following instructions. Zirga gladly took credit for every improvement in their daily lives, as if the ideas were his own, and Tal was happy to let him take the credit.
Quietly, Tal got the two prisoners in the dungeon moved to better cells. One of them was a murderer, a powerful man who could pick up Anatoli and throw him across the courtyard if he took a mind. His name was Masterson. Tal had sneaked down to visit him and found him slightly deranged, a bully who was prone to violence. But when Tal promised him a better cell and food, Masterson agreed to do as Tal told him.
The other man was a political prisoner, the former Baron Visniya, who quickly agreed to whatever Tal’s terms might be, against the chance of freedom and revenge on Duke Kaspar.
Tal held little hope that these men would prove reliable in the end, but for the moment, he wanted everyone who wasn’t working for Kaspar on his side when the time came to move. He had a plan, but he was keeping it to himself, not even sharing the details with Will.
The former thief had become as faithful as a puppy. Besides his undying thanks for the improvement in his lot, he was now convinced that Tal was capable of anything he truly wished. But all Tal ever did was smile and merely say, “Just keep your mind on today’s business, Will.”
Weeks passed, and then another ship arrived, this time with provisions and a new cook. Zirga came to the docks, and when he saw that Tal was no longer needed in the kitchen, the Governor visibly wilted.
Tal was in the kitchen when the new cook was shown in. The cook looked around and said, “This will do.”
Tal glanced at Will, then started to leave. Zirga said, “Where are you going?”
“Back to my cell, Governor.”
“Wait a minute.” He turned to the cook. “What is your name?”
“Royce.” He was a stocky man of middle years, and it looked as he had been drinking. His face was puffy, his jowls hung loosely, and there were dark circles underneath his eyes.
“Why are you here?”
The cook blinked like an owl caught in lanternlight. “What?”
“Why are you here? What did you do to get yourself discharged from your last position?”
Royce hesitated, and said, “Well, I…”
“Don’t lie to me!” shouted Zirga. “You got drunk on the job, didn’t you?”
The man lowered his eyes and nodded. “Yes, sir. I worked at an inn called the Tumbled Maiden and fell asleep while cooking a lamb on a spit. The fat caught fire and…the inn burned to the ground.”
“Ha!” said Zirga. “I thought so.” He pointed at Royce. “I asked for a guard four years ago! So, you are now a guard.” Then he pointed at Tal. “You are still the cook until they send me one who won’t burn the keep down.”
Royce seemed about to protest, then thought better of it. He shrugged and looked at Zirga. “What do I do?”
“For the time being, you help out here in the kitchen. Anatoli, you come with me.”
Tal smiled and said to Royce, “You get to sleep over there.” He pointed to the room that had been used by Charles, the previous cook. “Put your belongings there. Then come back and wash vegetables.”
“I can do that,” said Royce as he picked up his bag and moved to the door.
Will said, “Well, he can’t be any worse helping around here than Anatoli was.”
Tal winced. “Don’t say that. Ruthia listens.”
Will nodded, making a good luck sign at mention of the Goddess of Luck.
The addition of Royce was a stroke of good fortune for Tal. Although he was a drunk, he was experienced in the kitchen and quickly adapted to a routine that freed up much of Tal’s time.