[Primrose Bolger]

The news of the Orc is brought back to the kitchen

Ginger made her way back to the kitchen, cautiously. For one, she didn’t want to attract the attention of the newest customer to the Inn – the Orc. And second, she hoped that all the upheaval caused by that loathsome cat was over.

She peeked through the swinging door and saw that indeed, the kitchen had returned to normal. Cook was busy at the butcher-black table. The butcher had been there early in the morning and left several large goat carcases for the inn in the cold cellar. Cook had brought one up and was using her meat ax and bone saw to separate it out into more manageable pieces, which would later all be hung in the smoke house. She looked quite the sight, with her bloodied apron on and the blood on her hands where she’d held the meat as she sawed at the bones.

The Widow Rosebank had finished the dishes it seemed and was now helping out with something she was stirring up in a large bowl, probably for supper. Buttercup sat near her at the table, shelling peas. In all, it was a peaceful scene, save for the gore and blood about Cook.

And better yet, there was no sign of the fractious feline. Or Wren for that matter.

Ginger stepped into the kitchen and cleared her throat loudly. And once all had turned their attention to her for the moment, she announced her news loudly.

‘Thought you might all like to know – there’s an Orc come to the Dragon. Big, old ugly fellow. And he’s sitting bold as brass in the Common Room right now.’