Chapter 60: Cookies and Resolve

Lucas opened the gnome’s food storage. He picked up a torch and lit the candles fixed on the iron racks. After all the candles were lit, he inserted the torch into a funnel-shaped holder by the door. Melted wax dripped from the white candle walls, solidifying into thin lines.

This room was larger than York’s study. To the right stood pinewood cabinets, while to the left was a stone oven with a manual millstone placed behind it. At the room’s deepest section lay stored grains, from which Lucas could already smell the fresh aroma of wheat husks. Additionally, scents of charcoal and a faint sweetness lingered—likely the honey and white sugar the gnome had mentioned.

Lucas and Bardel inventoried the food supplies: five sacks of flour and five sacks of unhusked wheat piled in the corner. Inside the cabinet was a large plate of cheese. Beyond that, they found one and a half jars of honey, two small bags of white sugar, and three palm-sized blocks of butter. The flour was finely ground premium quality, and the wheat grains were plump—clearly high-grade goods the gnome had purchased from merchants.

Old York hadn’t deceived them; he truly shared his provisions. Had Old York kept these supplies for himself, they might have lasted him a long time, yet he chose to share.

Beside the stone oven lay the gnome’s mentioned rye bread—plain, baked hard and large, requiring a special bread knife to slice. While not particularly delicious, it was far better than the low-quality bread mixed with wood shavings. Spread with some honey and butter, sprinkled with sugar, and topped with cheese, it became a delicacy.

“With this flour and wheat, we needn’t worry about food for now,” Bardel said, kneeling as his calloused hands scooped up wheat grains that slipped like sand between his fingers.

“But only temporarily,” Lucas replied.

“Better than nothing,” Bardel said. “I’ll share this good news with the others. The children will surely love the honey and sugar.”

Sugar always brought joy. Honey and white sugar were expensive luxuries rarely tasted by country folk. In their lives, the only sweetness came from high-bush blueberries and red lingonberries from the snowy plains—mostly sour and bitter.

Bardel went outside to share the news. As an elder, he kept the gnome’s secret, not revealing their earlier study conversation. To lighten the oppressive mood, they used half a jar of honey and a small portion of sugar, giving everyone sugar-coated bread.

Finally, someone spoke: “Perhaps things aren’t so bad.” The woman holding the baby relaxed slightly. Before the Viking pirates invaded, Lucas hadn’t known her, but now he learned her name—Lisa. Avery and his wife called her Lisa—the Lisa whose husband was killed by pirates, left alone with her nursing infant.

The gaunt woman smiled faintly, using a borrowed spoon to scrape honey onto her baby’s lips. The infant licked the honey, grasped its mother’s finger, and giggled.

Yet Lucas grew heavier-hearted, the gnome’s words echoing in his ears. Silently, he gazed at his Tania military spear beside him and retrieved the healing potion the gnome had given him yesterday. The potion worked well—just half a bottle had greatly reduced the burning sensation in his body.

“Maybe I should get some proper sleep,” Lucas murmured. He pursed his lips, unscrewed the cap, and downed the remaining half. Then, gathering his clothes and blanket, he retreated to a dark corner to lie down and close his eyes.

Soft snores came from the corner. Hearing this, the others quietly moved elsewhere, giving him peaceful rest.

When Lucas awoke again, the other villagers had fallen back asleep. “How long was I out?” He rubbed his eyes, feeling much better. The gnome’s potion had healed him during sleep. Though not as instantly effective as high-tier divine magic, the fifty-silver potion eased pain and accelerated natural recovery—essential for adventurers, especially in emergencies when restoring combat ability was crucial.

Judging by his body’s recovery since first drinking the potion, about a full day had passed. Flexing his fists and lifting his legs, strength had returned. His chest itched—a familiar sign of healing wounds. Broken bones and muscles were rapidly regenerating. Ravenously hungry and thirsty upon waking, he stuffed his mouth with bread and jerky from his pocket.

“Time to talk with Old York again,” Lucas thought, standing and scanning for the gnome. Not seeing him in the common area, he headed for the study.

Passing the food storage, he noticed light seeping through the door crack. “Is Old York inside?”

Pushing the door open, he found not the gnome but the wandering knight using the oven. Glowing charcoal beneath the oven emitted light as the knight opened it, releasing an aromatic blend of toasted wheat, honey, and butter.

The knight used iron tongs to remove a tray from the oven, revealing perfectly baked cookies—spiral-shaped, uniformly sized, with beautifully browned edges. The sight reminded Lucas of pastries he’d seen at Purple Thorn Castle, where commoners bought black bread while noble ladies held tea parties with cakes and cookies.

Seeing no one else by the oven, Lucas wondered: Had the knight made these alone? He could hardly believe a battle-hardened knight possessed such skill.

Before doubting his wakefulness, the knight noticed his presence and gestured toward the tray, inviting him to taste.

“Pardon me, Sir Wade,” Lucas said softly, stepping forward. Swallowing saliva, he picked up a warm cookie and bit in.

A crisp *crunch*—perfectly sweet without being cloying. The delicate flavor moved him unexpectedly. These were the finest cookies he’d ever tasted. Even in disaster, beauty persisted.

“Delicious,” Lucas praised simply. “Did Sir Wade make so many to share?”

The knight nodded.

“Your generosity will surely touch my people,” Lucas said. The knight gave a thumbs-up, as if encouraging perseverance even in dire straits.

Smiling, Lucas felt his fear and unease miraculously vanish. “Might Sir Wade have seen Old York? I need to speak with him.”

“York’s right behind you, Porter,” came the gnome’s voice from the doorway.

Turning, Lucas saw the gnome carrying bottles and jars—some resembling healing potions, others unfamiliar.

“What are these, York?” Lucas asked.

The gnome replied, “This honorable knight has decided to go to Alvado to retrieve the Mist Stone for us. So Old York prepared some tools to assist him.”