Affinity for War by Frank Morin

Author:Frank Morin [Morin, Frank]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946910035
Publisher: Whipsaw Press
Published: 2018-05-29T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-Six

"But the sweetbread that falls off the tray and gets kicked under the oven is eaten only after the rest are consumed."

~Connor

"You're going to like Altkalen," Verena shouted over the wind as they flew high over southern Granadure.

Connor sat right beside her in the front row, but barely heard over the wind. Gisela, who sat on her other side, staring at the view, didn't appear to have heard anything.

They were flying fast, pushed along by a helpful tailwind. Since they weren't sure if Harz fortress had fallen, Verena had suggested a slightly westerly course to check in at the trading center of Altkalen. The flight had gone smoothly, and they now approached a range of hills with pointy peaks that made them look like they were stretching upward, eager to be called mountains.

He tried to ask a question, but the wind whisked his words away. Verena frowned, then her face lit up and she plunged her hand into her satchel.

A shimmering shield of pulsing air formed into a half dome over their seats, blocking the screaming wind. Verena pushed up her visor and said, "I should have thought of that a long time ago."

"Does it affect speed?" Connor asked.

"I don't think so, and it makes travel so much easier. We'll see Altkalen soon. It's the biggest market in all of Granadure."

Sir seemed very interested in the air shield. He sat in the second row, flanked by Hamish and Martys. "Dougal must take Altkalen in order to survive the coming winter."

Verena nodded. "It's got plenty of supplies."

"Enough for fifty thousand troops, plus all the residents?" Hamish asked.

Connor wondered if the army would just kill everyone. He hoped Dougal intended conquest and not annihilation.

Verena said, "Altkalen's market center is bigger than the markets in all the other cities combined. I hope we find time to visit. It's amazing."

When Hamish didn't look impressed she added, "The culinary quarter, which is centered around the bakery district, is bigger than all of Alasdair. There are six hundred bakers and pastry chefs alone."

Hamish gaped. "How long did you say before we arrive?"

Aifric, who lounged between Jean and Dierk in the third row, leaned forward and smacked Hamish lightly on the back of the head. "You always think with your stomach?"

Jean laughed. Her braid had gotten tangled by the wind, and she was trying to straighten it. "That's Hamish."

Hamish shrugged. "When your stomach's full, most of life's problems seem a little less severe."

Connor couldn't argue with that, and he was happy to see Aifric looking herself again. She hadn't even dozed once. Jean was watching for any signs of lingering problems.

Verena said, "Every year, Altkalen holds an annual Eat Till You Pop competition in honor of old Schwinkendorf, the guy who wrote that cookbook."

"Even if it still existed, it's gone now," Hamish said with a sigh.

Verena's smile faded. "The contest will probably be canceled due to the war."

Hamish looked crestfallen. "We should visit the bakeries at least, in honor of old man Schwinkendorf."

"All six hundred?" Gisela teased.

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