“Then get to it!’’
Talon didn’t hesitate, but set to skinning the deer in an efficient, practiced fashion. He also didn’t think for a moment about who this woman was and why she should order him about; among his people, women were in charge of all food preparation, and men did as they were told around the hearth, fire pits, and ovens.
He was quickly done, and as he turned around to find a rag upon which to clean his belt knife, someone threw him one. He caught it in midair and saw a grinning Gibbs standing before a large block upon which rested a heap of vegetables, which he was cutting with a large knife.
Behind Gibbs, Talon could see other servants cooking meats before one hearth, while others saw to fresh loaves of bread baking in the ovens. Suddenly Talon was overwhelmed with the aroma of the kitchen and simultaneously struck by a fierce hunger and a stab of pain through his chest, as the warm smells shocked him back into memories of his mother and the other women preparing meals.
As his eyes threatened to well up with tears, Talon saw a large door swing aside, and through the doorway strode a man. He was of middle years, heavyset, with a large belly protruding over his belt—which looked more a horse’s girth than a belt to Talon—breeches tucked into midcalf boots, and a voluminous white shirt, covered with spatters of food and wine. His face was almost perfectly round, his hair black with grey shot through, tied back in a horse’s tail, with long sideburns that almost met at the point of his chin. He glanced around with a critical eye and found nothing lacking until his gaze fell upon Talon.
“You there, boy,” he said, pointing an accusatory finger at Talon, though his eyes were merry and he had a slight smile on his lips. “What is it that you’re doing?’’
“I’ve skinned this deer, sir,” Talon said, haltingly, as the man was speaking Roldemish. The question snapped him out of his sadness.
The man walked purposely toward the boy. “That is something which you have done,” he said in an overly loud voice. “What is it you are currently doing?’’
Talon paused, then said, “Waiting for someone to tell me what to do next.’’
The man’s face split into a grin. “Well said, lad. You’re the boy from the barn, Talon, is that correct?’’
“Yes, sir.’’
“I am Leo, and this is me kingdom,” said the man, spreading his arms in an expansive gesture. “I’ve served as cook to nobility and commoners alike, from Roldem to Krondor, and no man living has a complaint of my cooking.’’
Someone in the busy kitchen muttered, “Because they died before they had the chance.” This brought laughter for a moment before the workers stifled the outburst, causing Leo to turn with unexpected swiftness, a black look crossing his visage. “You, there, Gibbs! I recognize that smart mouth. See to the slops.’’
Gibbs stood erect, and said, “But the new boy should do that, Leo. I’m for the serving table.’’
“Not tonight, my glib Gibbs. The boy will stand at the table, and you can see to the pigs!’’
As a dejected-looking Gibbs departed the kitchen, Leo winked at Talon. “That’ll sort him out.” He glanced over the boy’s rough appearance. “Come with me.’’
Without waiting to see if he was being followed, Leo turned and pushed aside the large door through which he had entered. Talon was a step behind.
The room was obviously some sort of servants’ area, with another door in the wall opposite. Large side tables ran along the left and right walls. Upon one table sat a variety of dishes, bowls, goblets, and other table service. “There is where we keep our dishes,” said Leo, pointing out the obvious. “If we have a reason, we’ll show you how to set the table for guests.” He pointed to the other table, which now sat empty. “There will be hot dishes at suppertime. Lela and Meggie will serve.’’
He pushed through the second door, and Talon followed into the center of a long hallway. The opposite wall was composed of shelves upon which a variety of items rested: lamps, candles, mugs, goblets, an entire inventory of supplies for a busy inn. “Here’s where Kendrick keeps the knickknacks we need,” said Leo. Pointing to the door at the left end of the hall, he said, “That’s the common room. If we have a caravan stopping by, or a patrol from one of the local castles, it’ll be full of loud, drunken fools.” He pointed to the door at the right end of the hall, and said, “That is the dining room, where the nobles and guests of stature eat. Tonight you’ll serve in there.’’
He paused and rummaged through the shelves until he came away with a long white tunic. “Put this on,” he said to Talon.
Talon did so and found the tunic came to the midpoint between hip and knee. There were drawstrings at the cuff of the puffy sleeves, and he tied them.