Chapter 20

Half an hour later, Bana came back from the market with a bottle of honey, a bundle of thyme and three whole ginger.

"Brother Auron, Brother Auron! I already bought these things. Quick, help me how to cure grandma."

Auron came down from upstairs when he hear her call. He approached Bana who was panting hard.

He crouched down to her eyes level and he couldn't help but chuckle seeing her anxious gaze. She looks like she was wronged and scammed. Not by anyone, but by the guy in front of her.

"Don't worry, I'll teach you on what you have to do with this things. Let's go to the kitchen."

Auron went to the kitchen with the little girl in tow. Then he began to instruct her what to do with the herbs and honey.

"For honey, it's easier. You just have to get a spoon and let her eat it without any water. Just a spoonful of honey will do."

"For the thyme and ginger, you just have to boil them and let your grandma drink its tea every night. Then you'll notice that your grandma will get better slowly each day. I assume you know how to boil without burning yourself right?"

"Yeah, I can do it." Bana nodded proudly.

"Good girl, you better start then. It's much cheaper right? Buy the rest of your money some food so you can grow strong."

--

Next day, Auron went to the marketplace with Marlena accompanied by Heman and Shera to buy ingredients since Auron's plan for today is to teach Marlena how to make pizza and burger.

Auron also bought some papers and quill so he could write the steps on how to make a beer for Marlena. Thinking this, he inquired to the locals if there's a Master Brewer in the city. He wasn't disappointed as he was pointed to the western part of Tyrosh. What for? It's for none other than skill ring. After an hour of travelling, they managed to find the brewmaster and Auron pretended that he's going to order a batch of Ale. When Auron got close enough, he extracted a copper ring with the skill of 'Brewmaster' from him. He planned to give this ring to Marlena so she would have an easier time to create barrels of beer when she's on the other side of the ocean. Who knows, maybe he forgot some basic aspects of brewing a beer.

After a few hours of shopping, Auron went to the kitchen and immediately taught Marlena how to make pizza. Bana offered her help and he allowed her simply because she's a good child.

He didn't care if she managed to replicate the recipe. He knew that it wouldn't be a hindrance for him to grow his business. Besides, she's just a child. Who will take her seriously throughout Essos.

There wasn't any oven in Bana's house but it didn't stop them to cook a pizza since it can be cooked without an oven. Auron just improvised by cooking the dough at the top of a heated flat stone with olive oil.

Once the dough was 'baked', he put in the tomato paste they manually crushed, added some meat and bell pepper and finally grated cheese on top. Then they heated it up once again just enough to melt the cheese on top.

As soon as the pizza was cooked, delicious aroma wafted inside the house.

"Wow, it smells delicious. Brother Auron." Bana excitedly said.

With a knife, he sliced up the pizza in equal proportion. He scooped up a slice before biting a mouthful of it.

When the flavor exploded inside his mouth, he almost cried because he missed this kind of tastes from his past world.

Marlena grabbed a slice, biting a large portion of it. Auron literally saw her face lit up as she savor the taste in ecstasy.

Bana stood there in envy and she gulped so loud that Auron burst in laughter.

Auron shook his head and said, "Go ahead and get a slice, be careful as it's still hot."

Bana excitedly grabbed a slice putting it in her mouth almost immediately. She couldn't help but close her eyes as she savor the flavor. Then she began to cry and speak with inaudible sound. Fortunately, they still understood her.

"Bohooo it's so delicious. The most delicious food I ever tasted. Wooooo"

"Really? Now you know how to cook this and due to your help, I will allow you to cook it at your home but don't teach it to others, okay? It will be our little secret."

"Okay, hik* hik* thank you-hik* brother Auron. Yey, I will be able to taste it again." Bana celebrated while crying tears of joy.

After pizza, Auron began teaching Marlena how to make a burger. This one is much simpler so it didn't take long for them to make it.

This time, they call the others to let them judge the taste. All of them agreed that the taste is worth spending.

--

The sun has started to come down when they've finished all the cooking session including the trip to the marketplace.

When night time came, Auron was about to go to the pub to earn some coins when Bronn blocked him.

"What?"

"I blocked you because I wanted to go with you. With my help, we can collect the money easily this time."

"Tch! Don't take me for a fool, Bronn. You just wanted to watch my performance without paying any coins."

"No! It's not like that."

Auron raised his brows questioning him with his expression.

"Really?"

"Well... Fine! Yes I wanted a free ticket to your performance but it's not like I won't be of any help. I can protect us from muggers after earning the money and I'll help you collect the fee around the crowd."

"Suit yourself, just make yourself useful."

"Yes! Don't worry, I got you, boss. Hehehehe."

--

When they entered the pub, the place instantly became silent.

It was fully packed. The weird thing is that, all of them are staring at Auron.

Auron was confused as well but he brushed it off. He slowly walks towards the counter and the crowd parted like tide.

When Auron arrived at the counter, the owner was grinning excitedly.

"Welcome! Welcome to my pub! We have been expecting your arrival these past few days. Hehe you see, these people here all came to hear your songs and stories."

"Really? These people.."

The pub owner nodded vigorously.

Auron was surprised. He was just performing in two cities and yet he was already this famous.

He looked at Bronn who shrugged saying, "I told you."

AuronAuron eventually accepted the fact the lies before him.

"You know my business, aye? Five Percent."

"Of course, plus your ale is on the house for bringing such lively people into my pub."

Auron nodded and say his thanks. Then he walked into the center floor. Immediately, the crowd came to life, like a clockwork, the moved and arranged themselves neatly like students waiting for the professor to start his lessons.

Then Auron began his introduction and a little verbal jab for an ice breaker.

"Good evening drunkards. You know who I am right? I'm here to tell stories most of you didn't know. Are you ready?"

They nodded.

"If you're ready, your purse should be ready too after all, it's how I make a living. I have an assistant here which will collect the coins you can spare and thank you for your support."

Bronn as if on cue procure a bag made of cloth and started collect the fees.

"Man, it's surprising to see some familiar faces among you. That guy with a big nose, yeah you. Correct me if I'm wrong but you're one from the crowd when I perform in Lys, right?"

"And that handsome, young man with stable beard. I saw him in Volantis when I first perform in the pub."

"It's an honor for me that you guys came all the way here just to see.... the whores of Tyrosh. Hahaha, I can see it in your face don't laugh sheepishly. Maybe I'm just your excuse when you told your wife that you're leaving just to see me. But in fact, you came to see the pleasure houses, am I right, boys?"

Then he saw a man with a crook teeth and large mole in his forehead sitting at the front. He walked near the man continuing his jokes.

"See, I told you I never forget a face.."

Then Auron looked at man with a huge mole, and said, "-but in your case, I'll be glad to make an exception."

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Don't worry my goodman, as long as you have coins, no one will care what you look like."

Auron winked at him while patting his shoulder.

"Let me guess, you also came from Volantis, right? I can literally see it in your face. See this acne here in your chin, that's Volantis."

Then auron traced his finger accross his face all the way to the mole on top of his head.

"And this is Tyrosh. Wow good thing you made it here! I thought my finger would stuck in your nose, that would be very disturbing."

"Hahahahahahahahah"

"Hahahahha"

"No matter my goodman, you've made us happy today with your presence and for letting me use your face as a map. For that, you'll be exempted for a fee today and I'll buy you a mug of ale. Sounds good? What's your name by the way?"

"Gima"

"Everyone, give this man here a round of applause for being a good sport."

Clap clap clap clap..

Surprisingly, instead of being angry, the man was felt happy and excited for Auron to make fun of him.

"Now with the introductions done, we will now proceed to the main event. Hehe some of you were already and the edge of their seat so allow me to start."

"All of us knew that there are gods out there right? Like the Lord of light, the Drowned God, Storm God and such. But guys don't know that there are far more gods out there that no one knew? The story that I'm going to tell you today is related to those unknown gods."

"It was story of a Great King named Midas...."