Chapter 57 – Warmth of Bread

The bakery of Edawick wasn’t much. It was a simple establishment made of wood and stone. There was a counter and inside the building was a giant oven where the people inside could work. There was apron wearing people inside the building, kneading and baking bread.

Joshua was among them. He was not fond of the ovens at first. The ovens were crude compared to the ones he would use when baking with his mother. But he got used to it after a few times. The people inside also helped him so it wasn’t that hard to learn. After he got accustomed to the way the oven worked. Joshua made some of the bread that his mother used to make. He created some waffle bread and melted butter on top of the bread. When the bakers tasted the bread he made. They approved of him, patting his back.

“This is good bread!” said the baker. Joshua thought he would be offended. But it seemed like the idea of haughty and prideful bakers were just his imagination. In fact, he and the baker named Silo got along with each other. Silo was quite the aspirant. And learning some baking techniques that came from the modern earth made Silo’s skills quite unimaginable. Joshua didn’t really hide the process of how he baked bread. It was nothing to hide for and not hiding anything made people appreciate him despite being a newcomer.

He has been alternating between making toys for the kids of the town and sometimes going to the lumber mill to help in pulling levers. The lumber mill was located near a swift and gentle river. In the bed of the river, there were pebbles and boulders, dry and gray in the sun. The lumber mill made use of the river to propel the mechanism that turns the levers of the lumber mill. It was an interesting design and Joshua has gotten used to in watching the mill worked.

Anyway, he would use some of the logs that were stored to craft some toys and dolls. It was funny actually. He used to hate extracurricular activities such as art class and home economics. But now he was quite glad that he paid attention to those classes. Now he won’t have to worry about being useless. It may not be that much of a grand skill. He was not that much of a craftsman but at least it was passable enough to make the things he created likable by the kid’s standard.

He was glad that he wasn’t useless. He was glad that Dan gave him this choice. He and his wife Nana were quite hospitable to him. He was quite happy that despite him being a stranger. They gave him a chance to stand against the situation he found himself in. The two were quite the happy couple. Miss Nana herself was quite a cherry one. Like Dan, she left the life of being a mercenary and move into this idyllic town to start over. She was someone that came from the Salevela Island. She and Dan met in a job once and since then haven’t separated. She has abandoned the life of danger and now prefers peace.

Miss Nana’s stomach was bulging. Dan couldn’t leave his job alone as a lumberjack and a hunter. So since Joshua was around, he asked him to assist his wife. Nana appreciates Joshua’s help and Joshua was quite glad that he could repay them in a small way.

Anyway, he has been drawing on what crib he should make. He has already outlined it and the only thing he needed to do was build it. Joshua sat on a stump near the river. He could hear the mill turning as the water moves it. His leg was still hurting. His right hand was a bit unsteady but he could make it work now.

Joshua feels like he was relaxed here. The difference between a stronghold and an idyllic town was quite something. In here Joshua felt like he could stay still and relax. There was no threat. There were no political problems to worry about. He only had an old flintlock pistol to use, which was given by Dan for protection.

The place was so peaceful that Joshua has grown to like it. Indeed, his heart was in turmoil after being sold off just like that. But the calm river and the soft hushing of the wind and the wheat fields made Joshua’s heart still. He could remember what happened in the city of storms and Avilla. He remembers the awful death and pain that echoed there.

This place was like heaven. In fact, he was starting to think that jumping down a cliff was worth it. It was a strange thought, and now that he was in here. He could feel that it may not be so bad. As he was stuck in his thoughts, Joshua heard soft footsteps coming his way. Instinctively, he reached out to his holster and stared at the person who was coming.

“Oh Cyra,” said Joshua, recognizing the girl from the bakery. “Here to deliver food for the lumberjacks again?”

“Yeah,” said Cyra. She was quite the simple woman. She has a black hair tied into a braid that reaches her hips. She had a bit of freckle and with a single look at her, you could tell that she was a soft-spoken girl. She wore a simple dress along with a bodice. She carries a basket as she strides near Joshua. “Are you creating toys again, Joshua?”

“Yeah, do you think the kids will like it?” Joshua showed the toys. Cyra looked at them and widen her eyes. “They are well made and I think they will like it.”

“Are you sure?” Joshua manhandled the doll he was creating. “I think it lacking a dress.”

Cyra smiled. “It sure is. Do you know how to sew one?”

“Nope, I can patch up any holes in my shirt but actually make one? I don’t think so.”

“Then let me help you.”

“Are you sure?” Joshua looked up her. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

“It’s okay.” She places her hands on her hips. “But you have to teach me how to bake that bread you baked! That one with the melted butter was so good!”

Joshua smiled. “It’s a deal then. So are you going to deliver that bread?”

“Oh right!’She beamed up. “Here, have one.”

Joshua took it. “You made this?” he took a bite of the bread. “It’s good...”

“Not as good as that buttered bread you made. I am proud of it.” She lifted her chin proudly. Joshua glanced at the bread, it was warm and he bit at it again. It was rather tasty. But that was not it. He felt at peace.

“This is good.”

“Thank you.”

Joshua smiled. Cyra raised a brow before scuttling towards the other lumberjacks. Joshua looked up at the sky. It was blue and it felt endless to him.