[h2][color=silver]Six[/color][/h2]

	Minnow exited the kitchen, a clay platter in each hand. Each platter was signed with the mispelled name of one of the town’s children, and on top of each sat two bowls. One bowl on either side held a bunch of speckled green eggs — wafting with the smell of pickling vinegar. The other set of bowls held the sloshing orange soup known as Zaft to the villagers. In earnest it was completely unique to The Other Mine and an invention by Minnow’s own father — Mr Striper Dessalt.

	Zaft was nothing more than a gibberish word Mr Striper Dessalt had used to persuade Minnow and her older sister Herring to try the exotic dish. In truth it tasted better than it smelled, and contained a healthy amount of salt, cumin, and cracked pepper which would have been aromatic if not for the mysterious grey chunks floating about — identity still unconfirmed. 

	Holding a glittering pearlesque smile, Minnow placed a bowl of each in front of her dragon-in-disguise customer and the red-headed easterner. 

	“Now careful,” came Minnow’s voice (steeped in customer service), “it’s rather hot.” 

	She placed a metal spoon in front of each patron. Looking idly over at the Easterner, Minnow continued. “Now if you need work, I could really use a hand. I’m running on two hours of sleep right now and it is not okay.”

	Minnow pointed her chin at Shina. “And this one’s too busy to help nowadays… or so she says.” 

	It was at that moment that the wizard Rudolph came barreling into the tavern through the window. Minnow jumped in surprise, but the wizard simply blasted right by her and straight into the broom closet, conjuring a blast of dust. 

	Cringing, Minnow watched the clumsy wizard fall out of the closet, now dressed in splinters, dust, and straw. 

	“Put it on my tab,” he coughed.

	Minnow blinked at her old acquaintance before summoning a scowl. “Oh no! Not this time, Rudolph! I already had it with the whole door thing last month — they still reek of lemons.” 

	Placing the empty platters gingerly in front of Shina, Minnow marched over to Rudolph and stabbed a finger into his chest. 

	“I’m calling your tab,” Minnow demanded, a sly twinkle in her eyes, “unless you want to settle it in a trade.”



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