The kind hearts at the school learn to make the treat so that children, like young Kormwind, can have them.
@internutter/challenge-03883-j231-not-available-in-this-location -- Anon Guest
[AN: Bless you, Nonny, but this doesn't happen in the book the original story is based on. Check my Patreon for the chapters. My choices are to alter my series' continuity or go with a huge time gap between the inspiration post and this one]
The parcel had come a long way to Lessa's door. Halfway around the world, in fact. She recognised the handwriting before she recognised the return address.
Little Lord Whitekeep, all grown up and long since returned to his homeland, had sent him a gift.
My dearest Mrs Lessa Tauzweig, he had written. I hope that this letter finds you both in good health and security. I never forgot the kindnesses you gave me in my youth. You and your daughter Bar both showed me what a good family should look like. Thus, I have sent this little gift in memory of the sanctuary you helped make for me. As I said, once, everyone should have a fish.
Within was a pastry mould in the shape of a carp. Measuring perhaps a cubit long. There was a recipe book, containing the base recipe and all its variants for the mountainside delicacy his lordship had craved during his time in Wolklippenstadt.
Everything was different, even the method to make the pastry. No wonder he had so many disappointments with Lessa's honest efforts. As she recalled, the lad he once was had been so gentle with his reproachments of them.
Lessa gathered the flours, the eggs, the little portions of herbs and spices. Even to a haunch of goat meat, which she slow-roasted according to instructions. Pastry and butter and gravy and mixing. The kitchens of Whitekeep had to be very busy to have some in every shop. Or they had other ways.
This had to be a leftovers dish. At least in its origins. Wolklippendstadt did other things, and thus the effort for this was likely fourfold.
Even before pastry and filling came together in the iron, the whole of it started to smell delicious.
It was a struggle to keep it in the iron for the full time it needed to cook.
No such fish had ever swam. Though it was shaped like a carp, it was not in the likeness of one. This mould had heart-shaped scales and fretwork on its fins. And a ridiculously goofy smile.
And just as Lord Whitekeep had asked, she added the crystal honey glaze.
It was gleaming like a treasure when she brought it to her family table.
And delicious when she shared it with them.
She might yet start a business with them. His lordship was right.
Everybody should have a chance for a fish.
[Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash]
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