Page 25 of Sorcery, Swords & Scones
Maybe Lira was right about baked goods being like magic. She would swear on the long wall that Pip’s sweet rolls cast a spell over anyone who ate one.
As she reached the village, it was in the throes of rousing from sleep. Shop doors stood ajar, curtains were open, and brooms swished across paving stones. From the stables came the gentle nickering of horses and the jingle of harnesses. Birds cooed in building eaves, and somewhere in the distance, an owl released a sleepy hoot. There were no sounds of marching dwarf feet or the striking of axe blades.
Sass checked over her shoulder only twice during her walk, and both times it was more from habit than genuine worry. The conversation with Val had done more than clear the air betweenthem. It had reminded Sass that she wasn't facing her troubles alone. The knowledge that she had friends willing to stand beside her made even the threat of Florin's arrival seem less overwhelming.
She'd left Thrain snoring loudly enough to rattle the windows of his room above the tavern. Since Thrain had been swaying on his feet and mumbling about ice trolls the size of mountains by the time he’d stumbled to bed the night before, she was confident he wouldn't wake before noon, which gave her plenty of time for her morning errands.
The scent hit her halfway down the main road — the kind of intoxicating aroma that could lead a person by the nose, and Sass found herself drawn inexorably toward Pip's bakery. The bakery itself was a welcoming sight, with its weathered wooden facade and cheerful yellow shutters. The baskets behind the counter boasted piles of split-top loaves and round, flour-dusted boules.
As Sass approached, she spied Pip through the open doorway. His wiry hair stood up in all directions, liberally dusted with flour. More flour coated his forest-green waistcoat and the burlap apron tied around his comfortable middle, and what looked suspiciously like honey glaze slicked down one oven-warmed cheek.
"Morning, Sass!" Lira's voice called from inside the bakery.
Sass almost yelped. She’d been so focused on the bread and the baker that she hadn’t noticed her friend.
"Perfect timing,” the redhead said, unaware that she’d startled Sass. “You're just in time to watch Cali surrender to temptation again."
Sass stepped through the doorway, immediately enveloped by the bakery's warmth and the blend of sweet and savory scents that made her slightly dizzy with hunger. Lira and Cali stood to one side of the counter, the Tabaxi’s gray striped tail twitching.
Sass was pleased to see the Tabaxi, but she was also aware that her friend might still be hurt about the secret she’d kept. Judgingfrom how she’d left the tavern so quickly after Sass had told her, the dwarf knew she had more fences to mend.
She closed the distance between her and Cali. “I know you’re upset about?—”
Cali shook her head. “I’m not. I mean, I was, but then I thought of all the secrets I’ve kept. Running with a crew doesn’t exactly lend itself to full disclosure, especially when you’re pulling off heists that aren’t quite legal.”
Lira shot her a look, clearly not thrilled that the Tabaxi was discussing their dodgy past. Sass didn’t know all the details of their time running together or how the Tabaxi had become such a skilled archer, and she’d never pressed her about it.
“But I didn’t hide my past because it was criminal,” Sass said, keeping her voice low as Pip bustled behind the counter.
“No, but you had your reasons.” Cali put a clawed hand on the dwarf’s arm. “I understand running from your past and being afraid it will catch up to you. I think we’ve all wanted to pretend our past didn’t exist at some point or another. At least now that you’ve told us, we can have your back.”
Sass hitched a smile, grateful for her friend’s kindness and understanding. “Thanks, Cal.”
Cali curled an arm around Sass’s shoulders and her tail around her leg, pivoting toward the bakery baskets brimming with loaves and golden buns. “Speaking of temptation, does anyone resist it when they smell Pip’s pastries?”
“I can’t think why they would,” Lira said.
Cali’s golden eyes focused on the glass dome covering a towering stack of what appeared to be lemon sweet rolls. “And with my extra-sensitive sense of smell? Forget it.”
"She's been standing here breathing deeply," Lira told Sass with a grin. "I think she's trying to absorb the flavor through her nose."
Sass laughed, happy to talk about the simple pleasures in life like pastries. “I’ve seen no point in resisting, especially when Pip weaves his halfling baking magic likehe does.”
"Halfling baking magic?" Pip's head popped up from behind the counter, his large eyes twinkling. “Bless the stars! I’ve always said that the strongest magic isn't cast with wands or spells; it's baked in the oven.”
He bustled around the counter almost dancing on his toes, his flour-dusted hands fluttering enthusiastically as he spoke. "I've been experimenting with a new sweet roll flavor for the Harvest Festival. This morning's batch is made with pumpkin and cinnamon, with just a touch of nutmeg and cloves."
"Pumpkin sweet rolls?" Sass felt the possibility of a light breakfast crumble like week-old biscuits. "Pip, you're going to be the death of me."
"Or the salvation of you," the halfling replied with a wink. "Nothing starts a day better than something sweet. Here, try one while they're still fresh from the oven."
He lifted the glass dome with a flourish, releasing a cloud of aromatic steam that made all three women sigh in unison, although Cali’s sigh was more of a purr. The sweet rolls were golden-orange and glossy with glaze, the scent of spices mingling with the decadent aroma of pumpkin and butter.
Sass couldn't resist biting into hers immediately, barely waiting for Pip to hand it over. The roll was still warm, the gooey glaze covering her mouth as her teeth sank into the dough.
"Sweet simmering cauldrons," she breathed. "Pip, this is incredible."
Pip rubbed his hands together. “Better than the lemon ones?”
