The Chelli didn't just use their magic to summon jewels from the soil. They also were farmers and grew the best vegetables, fruit, and grains on Serai. And they used their harvests to make great food. The Chelli neighborhood, known as the Harvest District, was a place of wonderful aromas that wafted from restaurants, bakeries, and food carts.
“A bakery!” I pointed at a shop. “It even looks similar.”
“There are only so many ways to display food items,” Kaspian said. “Some of those cabinets are examples of our advancements, Mate. That one there, with the cakes and custards, is a type of cold cabinet.”
“Do they have coffee?”
Kaspian's face fell. “No. We don't have a beverage like that here. I think there is something similar in Zaru. Maybe some of the other kingdoms. I will speak to the castle steward and have him import the beverage.”
“Ask him to import the beans. It's how they're transported. You don't grind coffee beans until you're ready to brew the drink. Brewed coffee is only good until it gets cold.”
“Really?”
“Yes, although some people prefer to drink it cold.” I made a disgusted face. “I am not one of those heathens.”
Kaspian looked from me to the bakery. “Are you hungry, my not-heathen?”
“Always!”
“Good. I'd like to share some of our delicacies with you.” He waved at the door. “You gave me such wondrous delights on your world.”
“Oh, I know I did.” I smirked at him.
“I don't think you're referring to food.”
One of the knights opened the door before I could and went inside first. He did a circuit of the shop, then took a position near the entrance. A couple of customers with baskets full of baked goods stopped to stare at us. Then they hastily bowed.
“Good day.” Kaspian nodded at them.
“Good day, Your Majesty!” came the swift replies.
“Your Majesty!” A Chelli man who somehow stood higher than the display cases came rushing toward us from behind them. As he got to the end of the length of pastry-filled glass, I saw that there was a ledge running the length of the cabinets. He jumped down and bowed. “Thank you for coming in today! Whatever you wish is yours, free of charge.”
“Thank you. That is very kind.” Kaspian eased me toward the cases. “This is my mate. He is from another world.”
“Yes, Sire! We've heard the glorious news. Congratulations. And how wondrous to be blessed with such a rare mate.”
“Thank you. I agree, and I'm very grateful to Ensarena. The Dragon Goddess herself took me to fetch him from his world.”
“Amazing! Simply amazing.” He bowed to me. “It's an honor to serve you, Your Grace. I hope my baking pleases you.”
“Thank you. It smells wonderful,” I said.
Kaspian put a hand on my back. “I'd like for him to sample the best baked goods my kingdom has to offer.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty.” The Chelli man bowed again. “I wouldn't consider my goods to be the best, but I will gladly suggest my most popular items.”
“We will take whatever you think is most delicious. Oh, and I prefer the wyver cake. So, I'll have a slice of that.”
“Oh, a good choice, Sire. Yes, right away.” He climbed back up on his ledge and waved at a table near the window. “Please, have a seat while I make a plate for you. Would you like some tea as well?”
“Yes, thank you.” Kaspian waved me toward the table. “With honey.”
“You have honey here?” I asked. “Sweet!”
“Yes, it is.”
We sat down while the remaining two knights stood behind our chairs, their stares constantly moving around the shop to the people on the sidewalk outside. Then a sharp cry reminded me that there was one more in our party.
