The next few days flew by, and were rather pleasant for Yokin. Granted, she was at what was called a Guard Station, but the people there treated her friendly, even if she didn't understand what they said. Then there was her cooking; she had merely made some soup when almost all of the humans, and more than a few non-humans, offered their bowls to her, in the universal language of those hungry for good cooking. She was surprised at this - she hadn't even used all that many seasonings. Even the place's regular cook had offered their bowl to her, with that sort of embarrassed grin that stated that they wished that their own cooking was better.
Eventually the one called Rutabaga came in. There was much gesturing and talking, and while Yokin didn't understand the language, she did understand that they were talking about her. Rutabaga grabbed a bowl, and placed it in front of her. She looked at him. There was some sort of test here, as she made him the same soup she had made the others. He tried the soup. There was a look in his eyes. He looked at the cook, and nodded. Yokin saw the grin on the cook's face. The cook then and got some garments that were similar to their's, and gave them to her. Yokin looked at Rutabaga. Rutabaga pointed at her, and then the garments, and then back at her. This was also another universal language; the garments were hers, and if said garments were any indication, they also meant that she was being given the job of being a cook.
^But, I'm not worthy of such a position,^ she said.
"I'll assume that you are somewhat shocked by the offer," said Rutabaga. He then got out some coins. "This is the pay you get."
Yokin looked at the coins. She wasn't sure what they were worth.
That was when a human-sized black dragon came in. "Is that Chizon Soup I smell?"
Rutabaga looked at them. "Guard Otakuk, nice to see you today. How's the wing?"
The dragon chuckled nervously. "Healing nicely. Can't fly yet, but I am good enough to do a regular foot patrol, according to my family's healer, although mother wishes that I stayed home longer, until the membrane was fully healed."
"Mothers are always like that." Rutabaga picked up the soup. "You know what this is?"
"Chizon Soup," said Otakuk. "The servants make it out of beef and pork, usually the worst cuts for the most part, and then they add in a number of different seasonings and spices, which makes it taste really good."
Rutabaga chuckled. "The worst cuts of meat? Sounds like some skilled cooks."
Otakuk chuckled nervously. "Well, in my parents' and grandparents' homeland, servants and lesser classes don't get to eat the good cuts, and thus have to make up for it. Granted, once they moved here, their servants started to get to eat better stuff, but, well, old traditions and habits take a while to change. And it seems she's doing one of them."
By this point, Yokin had prostrated herself, kneeling onto the floor, her eyes shut in fear of a Royal Dragon looking at her, when she wasn't properly dressed. ^Forgive me Your Highness. I was captured and taken from my home. These noble barbarians saved me from captivity, and brought me to this place.^
Rutabaga looked at Otakuk, whose face became extra nervous. "Do you know what she's saying?"
"She thinks I'm a prince, which would be true enough, I guess, but she really shouldn't be doing that," said Otakuk.
"I agree," said Rutabaga. "You're On-Duty, which means that you're not a prince of any sort, until you're Off-Duty."
"It's more complicated than that," said Otakuk. "My family was part of a war against the Ruler of Eastrimland, and their side lost, and were forced to flee, along with their supporters, least they get executed for treason. In fact, she could lose her head for presenting herself like that to me."
"Can you speak her language?" Rutabaga asked.
"Kind of have to at home," said Otakuk. "Grandfather will not allow Bigfatpigian to be spoken there."
"In that case, explain the situation to her, and tell her she is not to bow to you, at least while the two of you are here, or On-Duty," said Rutabaga. "I'll leave what you do Off-Duty to your own devices."
"Yes Commander." Otakuk saluted.
"Also, if she wants to, she can go to your neighborhood," said Rutabaga. "It should help her adjust to the city, being near those who share similar customs as hers."
"Yes Commander." Otakuk placed his hand on Yokin. ^Please, get up. The Commander dislikes such displays.^
^But the laws say-^
^That you must not look upon those of the Royal Scales, I know,^ said Otakuk. ^But the laws also state that those who bow to those who have been Decreed Dead will be executed.^
Yokin opened her eyes in shock. She then looked up at the black dragon. She looked at him, carefully.
Otakuk sighed. ^The mark isn't placed where it would be readily visible, save when I'm flying, not that the people here know what it means.^
Yokin stood up, carefully. ^So, what now?^
Otakuk looked at the bowl of soup. ^Seems you've been made a cook here. That means you'll want some fresh things.^
Yokin looked at where she had gotten the seasonings from. There wasn't much to begin with, and there was almost none now. ^Were these yours?^
Otakuk nodded. ^For when I wanted to spice my own stuff up. There's a place that sells them in my neighborhood, if you want to come.^
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author