<b>[Scene Loading...]</b>


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    [Location: Leoncrest Castle - Tower 1]


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    <b>[Date: November 20, y. 485 of the Fourth Age]</b>


    Zeke came running through the door of his room and flopped onto his bed with a satisfied groan. His muscles burned from the day''s training, but the good kind of burn that meant progress.


    It had been about a week since he''d started his intensified training routine, and while his body protested, his spirit soared at each new skill mastered.


    "I''m telling you, you''re doing too much," Ralph commented, glancing up from the small dagger he was polishing. "You''re going to put yourself in an early grave."


    "Nah," Zeke replied, stretching his arms overhead until his shoulders popped. "Everyone else will put me in an early grave if I don''t learn to stand my ground. Besides, I''m getting stronger every day!"


    "I think you''re exaggerating how many people want to kill you," Ralph shook his head, returning to his work.


    "Maybe," Zeke grinned, rolling onto his side. "But better prepared than surprised. Right now, all I know is I could sleep for a week."


    Knock-knock.


    "Now who could that be?" Ralph wondered aloud, moving to open the door. His eyebrows shot up. "Ah! Allow me to welcome you into our humble abode, dear lady. Your wish is our command." He executed an exaggerated bow.


    Elise laughed as she stepped into the room. Her eyes quickly found Zeke sprawled across his bed. "Hey! You okay? You look like you''ve been wrestling bears."


    "Just wrestling with Victoria''s sword drills," Zeke replied, sitting up with renewed energy. "What''s up? Everything alright?"


    "Everything''s fine," she nodded. "I was just wondering if you were still planning to come to the cooking class tonight. We''re making pies, remember?"


    Zeke blinked a few times, then his face lit up. "That''s right! Apple pies!" He jumped to his feet, fatigue seemingly forgotten. "I''ve been looking forward to it all week."


    "We don''t have to go if you''re too tired," Elise said, studying his face with concern. "You''ve been pushing yourself pretty hard."


    "And miss pie-making? Not a chance!" Zeke grabbed his jacket from the bedpost. "I haven''t had a good pie since the harvest festival back home. Let''s go!"


    "You''re sure?" Elise asked again.


    "Absolutely," Zeke nodded firmly. "Besides, watching you work magic with food is worth staying awake for."


    "He''ll be back later, Ralph!" Elise called as they headed out.


    "I won''t wait up!" Ralph replied with a knowing grin.


    The halls were quiet as they made their way down through the castle toward the cooking classroom. Most students were either studying in their rooms or gathered in the common areas, playing games or sharing gossip.


    Torches cast a warm glow along the corridors, chasing away the November chill that seeped through the stone walls.


    "Thanks for coming to these classes with me," Elise said, glancing over at him. "It really does mean a lot."


    "Are you kidding? Thank you for inviting me," Zeke replied, hopping down the last few steps of a staircase. "It''s nice seeing something that''s such a big part of your life, you know?"


    "Yeah," she nodded, then frowned slightly. "I just wish I could see your childhood world too. What was it like growing up in a noble house?"


    "Oh, nothing special," Zeke shrugged, ducking beneath a low archway. "I spent most of my time trying to escape my tutors and going fishing with Artax. All the really interesting stuff started happening in the last six months. You haven''t missed much."


    "Somehow I doubt that," Elise smiled. "But I''ll take your word for it."


    As they approached the classroom, the smell of baking spices wafted through the air. Zeke''s stomach rumbled in response.


    "So what exactly goes into making a pie?" he asked. "I''ve eaten plenty, but never actually seen one being made."


    "Want me to spoil the surprise?" Elise asked, eyes twinkling.


    "No, but I''m curious how country folk like you make pies compared to the castle kitchen," he clarified. "Any big differences?"


    She considered the question for a moment. "Well, I suppose the main difference would be gathering the ingredients. When I was growing up, my mother and I would trek out into the woods to collect berries and fruits ourselves.


    There were dozens of berry bushes if you knew where to look, or we might walk down the road to find wild apple trees."


    Her eyes took on a distant look as she continued. "We''d spend hours searching for the perfect ones. Eventually, it became a competition to see who could bring back the most."


    She sighed, smiling at the memory. "Those were wonderful days."


    Zeke listened, fascinated by this glimpse into a life so different from his own. Where he had grown up with servants bringing food to the table, Elise had helped create meals from the very beginning.


    They soon reached the classroom. Ericka had secured a much larger space this time, and it was already filling with students.


    Zeke was surprised at how many people had come - at least three times more than the first class.


    "Popular class," he remarked as Elise led him to a workstation along the side wall.


    "Who wouldn''t want to learn to make pie?" Elise replied.


    As more students filtered in, Zeke observed the crowd with interest. There were far more nobles than he would have expected for what was traditionally considered servants'' work.


    Maybe cooking was becoming fashionable among the aristocracy? Or perhaps, like him, they were just looking for something different from the usual routine of combat training and political maneuvering.


    When the room was nearly full, Ericka stepped forward, clapping her hands for attention.


    "First off, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight," she announced, her voice carrying across the crowded room. "It''s wonderful to see such enthusiasm! Today, we''re making apple pie, a staple of the eastern half of the kingdom.


    We''ll start by selecting our fruit - if one person from each team could come forward, please take ten apples from this barrel."


    She gestured toward a large wooden barrel overflowing with crisp green apples. Elise nodded to Zeke and slipped off to join the line.


    When she returned, she carried ten perfect specimens that she arranged neatly across their workspace.


    "These look amazing," Zeke said, picking one up and inhaling its fresh, tart scent.


    "Alright, everyone!" Ericka called out. "First, we''ll prepare the filling. When you cut the apples, they''ll start browning immediately, so that''ll be the last thing we do.


    For now, look under your workstation and pull out the supplies there."


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Zeke crouched down and helped Elise retrieve several bowls, measuring cups, and wooden spoons. Following Ericka''s instructions, they began mixing different types of sugar with a chunk of butter, creating a thick, sweet paste that smelled incredible.


    "The way my mom makes it," Elise whispered, leaning closer, "we add nutmeg and ginger. I guess this recipe is more traditional."


    "Your mom''s version sounds better," Zeke whispered back, still stirring the mixture.


    When the filling base was complete, Ericka directed them to the next step: making the crust.


    "Now, I know you''re all expert bread makers after our first class," she called out with a smile, "but pie crust is an entirely different skill. Watch carefully!"


    She demonstrated the technique, pouring flour onto the workspace, adding cold butter, and then - to Zeke''s surprise - using a knife to cut the butter into the flour rather than mixing it.


    "This seems backwards," Zeke muttered as he tried to follow along. "Why not just mix it all together?"


    "The butter needs to stay cold and in little pieces," Elise explained. "That''s what makes the crust flaky. If you mix it too much, it gets tough."


    Zeke attacked the task with enthusiasm, chopping at the mixture with more energy than precision. Despite his best efforts, his arms - hardened from weeks of weapon training - began to burn from the unfamiliar motion.


    "Like this?" he asked, showing Elise his progress.


    "Almost," she encouraged. "Just a bit more... there, that''s perfect!"


    He handed the bowl to Elise, who added ice water, quickly forming the mixture into a ball of dough. She dusted the workspace with flour and began to roll out the dough before Ericka had even announced that step.


    "And now we''ll begin to roll the dough!" Ericka called out.


    Elise froze mid-roll, her cheeks flushing. "Oops. I''m getting ahead of the lesson."


    "Show-off," Zeke teased, nudging her with his elbow.


    Elise continued rolling, creating a large rectangle that she then trimmed to size. She gathered the scraps, rolled them out again, and cut the dough in half.


    With surprising dexterity, she draped one half over their pie tin, the pastry settling perfectly into place.


    "That''s amazing," Zeke said, genuinely impressed. "How many pies have you made?"


    "Hundreds, probably," Elise replied with a modest shrug. "It becomes second nature after a while."


    "Ahem."


    They looked up to find Ericka standing across from them, one eyebrow raised as she observed Elise''s already-perfect crust.


    "Hello," Elise said sheepishly, giving a small wave.


    "You seem to know this recipe better than I do," Ericka commented, arms crossed.


    "Maybe a little?" Elise winced.


    Ericka''s stern expression melted into a smile. "I''m just teasing. Think you can finish on your own?"


    Elise nodded enthusiastically.


    "Then go for it. I''ll check back in a few minutes."


    When Ericka moved on, Elise turned to Zeke with excitement. "Now for the fun part - chopping the apples!"


    Zeke picked up one of the apples and a nearby knife. He placed the fruit on the cutting board and sliced through it with a firm stroke. "Like this?"


    "Almost," Elise replied with a mysterious smile. She gathered the remaining nine apples and arranged them in a neat row.


    Holding the knife above them, she tapped the first apple with just the lightest touch.


    WHOMP!


    In an instant, all nine apples fell apart into perfect, even slices, their cores still standing upright like little trees. The slices fanned out like flower petals, perfectly arranged.


    Zeke''s jaw dropped. "You can do that?!"


    "Just another little trick I picked up," Elise said, trying and failing to look nonchalant.


    "That''s not a ''little trick'' - that''s incredible!" Zeke exclaimed, examining the perfectly cut slices. "I''ve never seen anything like it. Could you show me again? Wait, we don''t have any more apples..."


    "Psst," came a whisper from the next table. A student leaned over, gesturing to their untouched apples. "Could you do that for us too?"


    Elise''s face brightened. "With pleasure."


    She moved to their table and, with another light tap, transformed their whole apples into perfect slices. Word spread quickly, and soon Elise was making her way around the room, performing her apple-cutting magic for delighted classmates.


    Students laughed and applauded with each demonstration, and Ericka watched with amazement, scribbling notes in a small book.


    Zeke leaned against their workstation, watching Elise with a proud smile. She was usually so shy about her commoner background, but here, in her element, she shone.


    Everyone was seeing what he already knew - that Elise was extraordinary.


    When she completed her circuit of the room, Ericka addressed the class again. "Well, since that step has been completed for us so... efficiently," she said with an appreciative nod toward Elise, "let''s move on! Please mix your apple slices with the sugar mixture."


    Elise hurried back to their station, her cheeks pink from all the attention. "I didn''t mean to take over the class," she whispered to Zeke.


    "Are you kidding? That was amazing!" he replied. "Everyone loved it. Look at Ericka - I think she''s already planning to recruit you as her assistant."


    They mixed their apple slices with the sugar filling and poured everything into the waiting pie crust. While most students simply laid the second piece of dough over the top, Elise had different plans.


    She cut the remaining dough into thin strips and began weaving them into an intricate lattice pattern.


    "That looks complicated," Zeke observed, watching her fingers move with practiced precision.


    "Not really, once you know the pattern," Elise replied. "Over, under, over, under - just like basket weaving."


    The finished lattice was beautiful, far more impressive than the solid tops on the other pies. Ericka came by again to admire their work before directing everyone to place their pies in the ovens.


    With their creation baking, Zeke and Elise sat back at their station to wait.


    "Did you make pies with your mother often?" Zeke asked.


    "Here and there," Elise nodded. "Not every week or anything, and of course in winter it wasn''t possible without fresh fruit."


    A nostalgic smile crossed her face. "I remember waiting all spring for the berries to ripen. There was a bush not far from our house - it never had enough berries to make anything with, but it showed us when the others in the forest would be ready."


    She leaned forward, eyes bright with the memory. "I''d run out every morning to check on it, from the first moment I spotted leaf buds. My mom would come look and say, ''No, not yet,'' and I''d be so disappointed!


    But I''d go right back out the next day, and the next, until finally she''d pick a berry, taste it, and declare it was time."


    "That sounds wonderful," Zeke said, imagining little Elise checking her berry bush day after day.


    "It was. The waiting was terrible, but that just made the joy greater when the time finally came," she sighed contentedly. "This was nice. Thank you for coming."


    "Excuse me," Ericka approached, notebook in hand. "I couldn''t help overhearing. Would you be willing to share more stories about rural cooking traditions sometime? I''m fascinated by regional techniques."


    "Sure!" Elise agreed readily. After a moment, she bit her lip thoughtfully. "What are we making in the next class?"


    "I was planning on cakes," Ericka replied.


    Elise''s eyes lit up. "You should have us make pizza instead!"


    "Pizza?" Ericka frowned. "What''s that?"


    "It''s a dish from way out east, from another country," Elise explained excitedly, bouncing slightly on her stool. "Every village has their own version of it. I could meet with you before next class to explain the details!"


    While Elise and Ericka discussed the merits of this mysterious "pizza," the smell of baking pies filled the room. Zeke inhaled deeply, enjoying the sweet, cinnamony aroma.


    He hadn''t expected to find so much joy in something as simple as baking, but there was something deeply satisfying about creating food with his own hands.


    Soon the timer chimed, and Ericka directed everyone to remove their pies from the ovens. Elise slipped on thick cloth mitts and carefully extracted their creation.


    The lattice top had browned perfectly, and bubbling apple filling peeked through the gaps.


    "That smells incredible," Zeke said as Elise set the hot pie on a cooling rack.


    "Just wait until you taste it," she promised.


    After the pies had cooled slightly, Ericka provided small plates and forks, and everyone eagerly cut into their creations. Zeke watched as Elise sliced a perfect wedge from their pie, the filling still steaming as she transferred it to his plate.


    "Moment of truth," she said, watching expectantly as he took his first bite.


    The flavor was incredible - sweet, tart, buttery, and warm all at once. Zeke closed his eyes, savoring the taste.


    "This," he declared after swallowing, "is the best thing I''ve ever eaten."


    Elise beamed with pride. "Better than the castle kitchen''s desserts?"


    "A hundred times better," Zeke confirmed, already taking another bite. "We should open a pie shop if this whole ''saving House Godfrey'' thing doesn''t work out."


    Elise laughed, her eyes crinkling with delight. "I''ll hold you to that."


    As they enjoyed their pie, other students stopped by to compliment their creation and ask Elise for tips. She answered each question with growing confidence, no longer the shy commoner but an expert in her element.


    When the class ended, Ericka announced that the next session would indeed feature Elise''s suggested dish - pizza. Excited chatter filled the room as students packed up their supplies and wrapped leftover pie slices to take with them.


    "Can you believe it?" Elise said as they headed back toward the dormitories. "They''re actually going to learn to make pizza because of me!"


    "Of course they are," Zeke replied, carrying their wrapped pie pieces. "You clearly know more about cooking than anyone else here. Ericka would be crazy not to take your suggestions."


    Elise practically skipped down the hallway, enthusiasm overriding her usual reserve. "Wait until you try pizza - it''s completely different from anything you''ve had before.


    The dough is flat and crispy, and you put cheese and tomatoes and herbs on top, and sometimes meats or vegetables..."


    Zeke listened to her excited description, caught up in her happiness. Despite his exhaustion from the day''s training, he felt rejuvenated by the evening''s activities.


    There was something special about learning skills that had nothing to do with combat or politics - something purely for enjoyment.


    "Next class can''t come soon enough," he said as they reached the staircase where they would part ways. "Save me a spot at your workstation?"


    "Always," Elise promised, taking her share of the pie. "Get some rest, Zeke. You still look tired."


    "Worth it," he replied with a grin. "See you tomorrow!"


    As he climbed the stairs back to his tower, Zeke realized he was already looking forward to the next cooking class almost as much as he anticipated his weapon training.


    Perhaps, he thought, becoming a true knight meant more than just mastering swords and spears - it meant embracing all kinds of knowledge, even the sweet art of baking pies.


    <b>[Scene Close]</b>


    <b>[Earned Emblems:]


    Heart of the Warrior, Endurance</b>


    <b>[Active Quests:]


    [The Devil You Don''t: Speak with Headmistress Florence about the Third Trial]


    [Return to Base: Head back to your dorm room]</b>