A Colour to Dye For: A cozy fantasy set in the Cozy Vales universe (Saffron Vale Book 1) by Clatworthy G

Author:Clatworthy, G
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

~ Cheeses roll downhill ~

Summer came to Saffron Vale, and with it came hotter days, brighter flowers and the traditional summer activity of cheese rolling.

The residents of this vale appeared to take it very seriously. Crimson watched people stretch and limber up, running on the spot and practicing throwing their heavy rounds of cheese before they climbed the hill to the starting line.

She sat next to Ig on her cloak, which served as a blanket in the heat. Smudge chased after the emerald grasshoppers that leapt through the unmown grass. Now that summer was here, the vibrant colours the vale was famed for shone in the bright meadow flowers and verdant greens of the fields that ranged from peppermint to darkest asparagus as the grasses swayed in the slight breeze. In the distance, a sheep bleated. The tylluan had brought a small cart which he set up under a canvas tent. When she’d asked what it was, he’d replied “Medical supplies,” in a stiff voice.

Crimson studied the hill, converting the sage green grass into fabric in her mind before sucking in a sharp breath. “That’s got to be a forty-degree incline.” No wonder her calves ached from the walk up.

“Forty-five if you want to be exact. I measured it.” Ig laid out another bandage.

Ovelia joined them with her father, the owner of Eggselsior. The dwarf introduced himself as Pollonius before rubbing his hands together. “Any odds on this year’s race?”

Ig shook his head. “The Big Cheddar’s going to be strict this year. The maire won’t stand for another cheese-based concussion.”

“Who’s the Big Cheddar?” Crimson asked.

“The great grandson of Jollivity Cheddar himself.”

“Saffron Vale boy,” Pollonius added.

At Crimson’s blank look, Ig expanded. “His record for the largest hard cheese ever rolled downhill still stands. The family is still in the cheese business and one of the Cheddars is the principal judge each year.”

“If you won’t take my bet, I’ll find someone else.” Pollonius turned to Crimson. “What about you? Do you fancy a wager?”

Crimson looked around. “It seems unfair, you know all the contestants and who won last year.”

Ovelia’s father let out a hearty laugh. “Oh no, I don’t bet on who catches the cheese. I’m talking about the number of injuries.”

“But that’s horrible.”

He shrugged and clapped her on the shoulder. “It’s all in good fun, lass. Can’t take yourself too seriously.” The dwarf pushed himself to his feet and headed for someone Crimson recognised from the Drunken Gull.

Greezi, the owner of Hambrosia, walked past, heading for the starting line with Hamlet in her wake. Ovelia gave him a small wave, and he smiled back. Tragic, thought Crimson, that they couldn’t acknowledge their love for each other.

“I thought I could smell bacon,” the dwarf called loud enough to make sure she heard. “Not taking part at your age, are you, orc?”

The orc smiled. “Hiding in the first aid tent, as usual, I see. Let the real cheesers take part.”

Hamlet rolled his eyes behind his mother’s back.

The dwarf’s face turned red behind his bushy beard.

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