A Thousand Dishes and Rumours

"Table seven, coming right up!"

"Table one, we have your order."

"Garnishes at the ready!"

"Sear them good, yes, right there!"

"Three ice-creams. Yes, three, not two!"

Busy was an understatement that evening.

Usually, there were less than a dozen guests at any time per evening, but that night, it was packed to the brim and full of voracious appetites all the way beyond the midnight strike. It required feverish coordination of hands, skill, intellect, and memory for Elwin and Anna to meet the demands of the hungry and rowdy guests, and they were incalculably grateful to the amazing three Artens from Aeternitas who volunteered freely and out of their own will. Elwin raced between the kitchen and the tables so many times he lost count, Anna and Sandora cooked up dish after dish – their fingers dusted with soot and aching with each swish of the pan – Leonardo juggled dozens of dishes at once, all the while defusing fisticuffs about to break out between the guests – and Hina washed stacks after stacks of plates, in each small break ventilating the kitchen so they could breathe afresh.

But eventually, the number of new guests winded down, and the demands of work turned from a torrent to a trickle.

When the clock finally hit two in the morning, they were greeted with a welcoming vista at last: empty tables and chairs. Anna hung the 'in preparation' sign outside, a euphemism for 'closed' in their republic that catered to mercantile sensibilities. 

"Please, please! Get some rest now. I'll prepare your food," cajoled Anna. The volunteers had done leagues beyond what she had expected, and even amidst the tempestuous rush, with incredible dignity and poise.

"Whew," said Leonardo, plopping down onto a chair and melting like jelly. The disk of his Quan was charred for hauling at least two hundred dishes and all their plates and utensils to match, out of the kitchen and back in again.

"Quite the night," said Hina, her voice shaky and parched from singing her chants hours on end. The disk of her Quan seemed to droop in its socket. "Can you pass the water, Leo?"

"Still, not as bad as when we forged our Quans, hmm?" jested Sandora, punching their shoulders. Her hands were shaking, and so was her Quan, dusted with ash.

"Not even close, but, don't remind me of those three days, ha," answered Leonardo, breathing out a long, relaxing sigh.

Elwin looked up to them with utter respect. They had absolutely no need to help his family or his small establishment. They could have demanded food, drink, and comfort like any other guest, especially since Elwin invited them in an effort to repay their kindness at the tram stop. And yet, here they were, having volunteered themselves on their own initiative after witnessing the situation at the Marlin, working diligently without want of reward. Usually on his own, and in such a hurry, Elwin would have broken a dish or two. But tonight, under their hands, neither a single plate nor bowl was broken.

Anna brought out all the best dishes she could for the hardworking Artens; baskets upon baskets of king prawns with cream, seared sea-bass fillets with butter, classic fish and chips, and of course, a mighty pot of the unforgettable clam chowder, even though her hands were worked to the bone.

"Thank you so much, ma'am! We are grateful for the food," said Sandora, standing up to receive the tray. Hina ladened a small hymn for the earth and sea, the fishermen, the farmers, and the Marlin which made that food possible; followed by the FOUNDERS and the rest of the MAHA in gratitude for the meal.

Elwin glanced respectfully as they tried his mother's cookery.

"Oh, MAHA bless us! This clam chowder is the stuff of the divine!" exclaimed Leonardo, taking another spoonful. Regular people would've crammed the food into their mouths, especially if they hadn't eaten for half a day, but Leonardo took his meal with considerable elegance. The same was with Hina and Sandora.

"Hey, what're you doing by the side? Come, dine with us," said Sandora, pulling Elwin to a seat next to them. "You've worked just as hard. Don't feel that you're out of place just because we hail from Aeternitas," she assured. "Come on, eat. I'm sure your mother would agree."

Elwin was struck by their consideration and kindness. Here he was, having been ousted and disliked by everyone at his own school, cast out by a world that did not want him. But now, Artens from Aeternitas had saved him, recognized him, and dined with him; they did not consider him any less than their peers, nor did they mention anything of his eyewrap. How great would it be to have friends of his own, like those before him!

Elwin's eye went red with tears, and he nodded. For perhaps the first time in his life, he wanted to become something else than his father: he wanted to become like the people who sat next to him, who accepted him. He ate slowly, his heart gathering with the force of a new revelation, listening in to the conversation of his saviors in quiet contemplation.

"Didn't realize running an inn was this challenging. And just for a single night! It was a great learning experience, gotta say," commented Leonardo.

"Agreed."

"Hey, do you think Maximus would've fared better than us tonight?"

"Oh? Maximus? He has experience from everywhere. I don't think he would've broken a sweat," said Sandora. "Especially not with his water, hah. I wonder whether he's back at the hotel."

"Should we give him a call?"

"Yeah, after our meal."

"Sure. Wait, speaking of which – you talked to the House Heads the week before we left, right?"

"Sure did."

"Did you glean anything new about the end-of-year tournament?"

"Puah, not a sign," she replied. "All the upperclassmen are being very secretive. Even all the alumni are being secretive, too. I wonder what's up with that."

"I guess that's only right. What was last year's stage for the final round?"

"The lake, by the rumors," said Hina.

"When do you think they decide the stage?"

"Probably when the spring semester begins," replied Sandora. "Planning something as big as this ought to take a lot of consideration."

"I guess. If it was this hard for us to get a hint about the tournament, then I assume it is the same for everyone as well, even for Tzarina."

"Don't remind me of her name, blech," chided Sandora. "Always using underhanded methods, that snake. If she wins the tournament and becomes consul for the second-years for the House of SUNNA, or if she becomes Head of any House at all, I'm going to go back to Astinel and take you all with me."

"Oh, don't say that."

"What? About me leaving?"

"About losing," eased Leonardo. "You think Maximus is going to stand idly by? With all of us combined, we're going to win no matter what."

"Rightfully said," said Sandora, coolly bumping her fist with Leonardo and Hina's.

"There's a tournament at Aeternitas?" inquired Elwin at last, unable to bottle his curiosity.

"Sure is. End of first-year, well, in half a year for us. Those who win can choose to be the Head of whichever House they choose," answered Sandora.

"And get a staff to match. You know, the ones that float."

"The stuff that consuls and generals used to carry?" exclaimed Elwin, delighted.

"Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure it's modeled after those," said Leonardo. "It's basically like a flying Quan, according to the books."

"Oh yes, speaking of such," said Hina, turning to Elwin. "You look to be the right age to apply to Aeternitas. How old are you?"

"Thirteen."

"Finishing your seventh standard year?"

"Eighth."

"Oh, you'll be graduating soon!" she said, softly surprised. 

"Isn't thirteen a bit young for the final year?" asked Sandora.

"My birthday is in Mitrayasna, so I technically belong to the tail-end of birthdays for my year group. I turn fourteen the end of next summer," Elwin clarified.

"Ah, it's the same for me," said Leonardo. "Artayasna 2nd, right after Mitrayasna. I've turned 15 a quarter year ago, while Sandora's going to be turning 16 soon, haha. Hina's in between us."

"Don't let it get to you. It's less than a year's worth of difference. Not like Maximus who's a full year older than I am!"

"Maximus is a full year older?" asked Elwin. "But I thought you were in the same..."

"Year group? Yeah, we always get that. Maximus had a tough childhood and worked most of the time to support his family. He had no time to prepare for the examinations, so he wasn't able to pass the first time he took it. The year after, he applied again, and was admitted."

Elwin wondered what kind of figure Maximus was.

"So, you're turning 14 after you graduate?"

"Yeah."

"Did you have any trouble following what was taught at school?"

"No, not really," answered Elwin, the numeracy question that Mr. Sadis and Lucian conspired against him popping into his mind. "Not except some super advanced stuff they posed on me for a challenge. That one was hard."

"Have you been preparing yet?"

"Uh, well, about that..." Elwin trailed off, unsure whether he should tell them that he'd only started giving it thought since yesterday afternoon. Surely he would sound disrespectful?

"Don't sweat over it too much. As long as you have the fundamental stuff down like numeracy, literature, working knowledge of historical events, and such, the exam should be a breeze if it was anything like ours," explained Hina.

"Isn't that for the first portion only?" Elwin quizzed, remembering his conversation with Dr. Varus.

"Correct. The second one tests your Maht. It's Water for you, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Make sure to practice and hone it as best as you can," added Sandora. "Last time, it was trying to sort a barrel worth of fruit seeds using our Maht. Boy, was that a rather unsavory challenge," she puffed. "Especially because my Maht is Fire!"

"How did you end up sorting them with fire?" inquired Elwin, puzzled.

"The barrel was big, so I figured I could use a phenomenon called convection. When something fluid like air or water is heated, the hot portion rises to the top in the middle, and then sinks to the side as it cools back down again."

"Oh yeah, I've learnt it in class. But how does that help sort the seeds?"

"There was a thin, round gap that ran on the sides of the barrel near the top. I noticed some of the seeds were very light, the others less so, followed by very heavy ones. I gave just enough heat to the bottom of the barrel to cause a convection current. The lighter seeds floated up in the hot air and as they tried to sink, they were sputtered out of those gaps at the top and onto the floor."

"Huh..." mused Elwin.

"I moved the barrel someplace else and gave some more heat underneath. Then the heavier seeds started floating up and sorting themselves out. When I saw the heaviest seed begin to emerge, I removed the heat, since only seeds left in the barrel by that point would be the heaviest seeds."

"Hahaha, that's one way to go about it!" said Leonardo. "I just fashioned a metal sieve from some steel wool they had lying around. Remember, it was one of the materials we could use."

"Thank goodness your Maht is Earth instead of Fire."

"Weren't the examiners angry that you sorted the seeds on the floor?" asked Elwin.

"I guess they were a little annoyed, but there was no rule that said I had to sort them all inside the barrel. I had to sort them all somehow, and that was enough for them," replied Sandora, reaching for what she thought was a single chip in the basket.

"Huh?" It was a thin wedge of lemon.

"Whoops, my bad," said Hina. "I, um, took the last chip. Is that okay?"

"Well, it's already in your belly. Not much reason to complain, is there!"

Lost in their conversations, they only just noticed that the generous mountain of food that Anna had hauled out had been reduced to nothingness.

"Well, thank you for the meal!" said Sandora, getting up. "We'll clean the kitchen and be off."

"No, no, no – um – I can handle the kitchen! You should get some rest," said Elwin, wanting not to trouble them any further.

"Nonsense! You should be off to bed to grow tall," said Hina, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Ah, how was the meal?" said Anna, shuffling out of the kitchen.

"One of the best we've had the pleasure to eat. Thank you, ma'am," replied Leonardo.

"Oh, that's too great a praise. Would you like rooms for the night? Complimentary of The Marlin."

"No thank you, ma'am. We should be getting back to our hotel."

The winter wind howled by the windows outside.

"Isn't it far downtown? Why don't you have a good rest with us and depart in the morning? Unless you are on a tight schedule, of course."

Leonardo and Hina looked to Sandora. Flashes of calculation weaved across her expressions. She looked up.

"If it's alright with you, ma'am, we'll stay for tonight."

Elwin's eyes lit up.

"Let me show you to your rooms!"

"Ooh, what cozy décor!" said Hina, stretching her sore legs, noticing that the bandage on Elwin's elbow was smeared with grime from kitchen-work. "Can't let it get infected! Let me change it to a new one," she said, opening her pocket.

"You're a diligent young man, Elwin," praised Sandora. "You clean everything yourself?"

"Almost everything. I do the bedsheets, the laundry, scrub the floors, wipe the tables, all except the kitchen. My mother takes care of that."

"I see. Well, get some good shut-eye, it's three-thirty already! A man needs sleep to replenish his wit," said Leonardo. "In case we don't see each other in the morning, good luck in the exams next year, alright? I'll pray for your admission to Aeternitas."

"Okay! Thank you so much for everything!"

***

Elwin woke up at noon the next morning, having dreamt of nothing but pleasant things, the memory of the kidnappers feeling distant as if shrouded by mist. The impression of the serendipitous ambassadors of Aeternitas gave him a newfound hope and purpose.

Sandora, Leonardo, and Hina had long left early in the morning; he opened their rooms to find the bedsheets expertly folded for his convenience, and not a trace of dust.

He limped down to the kitchen, his legs sore, a bucket of water in one hand and a mop in the other, but when he entered the door, found the sink, the stoves, and the countertops sparkling clean. His mother was still asleep.

That's when he realized he wanted to be an Arten of Aeternitas.