Arrangements at the Pea Pod and Queensgift House

[Ararg]

Ondurga normally avoided the Pea Pod, knowing that it was Erik's favoured place to relax with a beer and chat with his military comrades. While she served as his housekeeper it felt like too much an intrusion for her to frequent the place for her own pleasure. Once she had secured a position with a regiment, and here too Erik was helping her, then she would slightly reluctantly leave his service and might, just might, be able to drink here with her head held high.

Today, though, she was here on business. She entered the Pea Pod quickly and sought out Jorl, the proprietor, as he busied himself cleaning tables. Almost without thinking, she took a rag and joined in, wiping down the polished wood. "Jorl," she said, "I bring a request from Lieutenant Warlord Stargazer. He begs a weekly shipment of your most excellent pea and ham soup to be sent by rider to the front to keep his spirits up. I can arrange the riders if you would be kind enough to have the soup delivered to Queensgift House."

She and Jorl talked a while longer until satisfied with the arrangements and then Ondurga returned to Erik's house to meet Torben Dungshuvler. To be trained and equipped as a groom. Hmm, perhaps he might also be just the man to take Erik his weekly supply of soup!