Gzera And The Warrior God

CHAPTER SIX

The following morning, a soft glow illuminated the cottage as Gzera stretched, a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. Thorn was already stirring beside her in their new, sprawling bed, his large frame still largely dwarfing hers. As he prepared to rise for his usual solitary farm work, Gzera's voice, sweet yet commanding, filled the quiet room.

"Thorn," she began, sitting up and pulling one of his massive blankets around her. "I have a new task for you today. I need you to take the day off from your usual work and help me clear the land on the right side of the cottage."

Thorn paused, his eyes, usually so guarded, flickered towards her. He didn't ask why she needed the land cleared, or what her grand plan was. He simply grunted in acknowledgment, a deep, rumbling sound that could have meant anything from resignation to reluctant agreement. Then, he rose and began to gather the tools needed for such a task. His ready obedience, devoid of question or argument, brought a delightful, private smile to Gzera's face. He was a god, yes, but one who was surprisingly easy to manage.

The rhythmic thud of Thorn's axe, clearing brush and uprooting stubborn weeds, soon filled the air. Gzera, meanwhile, was busy in her burgeoning garden, harvesting fresh produce and preparing the morning meal. The familiar, tantalizing aroma of her cooking began to waft across the land, a beacon for hungry stomachs.

It wasn't long before Caleb reappeared, not alone this time. He was accompanied by two other hunters, their faces alight with curiosity and anticipation. Caleb beamed, dragging a plump wild boar behind him, while his companions carried an impressive stag and a quiver full of game birds.

"Gzera!" Caleb called out, his voice boisterous. "I told my friends about your miraculous cooking, and they insisted on coming! We've brought you the finest game from the forest!" He gestured proudly to the array of fresh meat.

Gzera's smile was genuine as she surveyed the bounty. "Welcome, hunters!" she said, her eyes twinkling. "And what a generous offering! Come, there's plenty of food for everyone!"

Thorn paused his work, leaning on his axe, his brow furrowed. Three more strangers on his land? And all for Gzera's food. He shot her a glare, a silent accusation in his storm-cloud eyes. But Gzera merely met his gaze with an innocent smile, as if to say, What's the problem? More food for you, too!

She quickly set about preparing a massive breakfast, her hands a blur of motion. Plates piled high with roasted meat, sautéed vegetables, and fresh-baked bread were placed before the hungry hunters. They ate with gusto, their appreciative murmurs filling the cottage. Like Caleb before them, they were utterly captivated by the flavors, declaring it the finest food they had ever tasted.

When they had finished, their bellies full and their faces shining with contentment, the hunters looked expectantly at Gzera. "More, please, Gzera!" one of them pleaded, his eyes wide. "We'll bring you even more meat tomorrow! A whole herd, if you wish!"

But Gzera, ever the strategist, shook her head. "No more today, my friends," she said, though her voice was kind. "You've eaten your fill, and we still have plenty left from your generous offerings to last us for at least three days." She glanced at Thorn, who, despite his usual stoicism, had made a considerable dent in the food himself. Even with his formidable appetite, they were well-supplied.

"However," she continued, her gaze sweeping over the strong, capable hunters, "I do have another proposition for you. We need to build a bigger cottage." She gestured vaguely around the small, single-room dwelling. "And for that, we will need a great deal of wood. Strong, sturdy wood, like the kind Thorn brings." Her eyes settled on Thorn, who was now staring at her, an expression of utter disbelief slowly dawning on his face. He had not agreed to any such thing! A bigger cottage? For whom?

Gzera ignored his silent protest. "If you three could come back very early tomorrow morning, before the sun is too high, and escort Thorn into the deeper woods to help him gather the necessary timber, I promise you breakfast, and dinner. A full day of my finest cooking, delivered right to you."

The hunters' eyes lit up. A full day of Gzera's food? That was an offer too good to refuse. "Done!" Caleb exclaimed, slapping his knee. "We'll be here before dawn, Gzera! Consider it done!" His friends nodded enthusiastically, already imagining the feast.

Thorn, witnessing this unsolicited bartering of his time and labor, merely glared at Gzera, a silent, seething frustration emanating from him. He hadn't agreed to be anyone's lumberjack, let alone with a hunting party as his escort! But Gzera merely smiled sweetly at him, a silent dare in her eyes. The hunters, oblivious to the silent communication, rose happily, thanking Gzera profusely for the meal, and headed out, already planning their early morning rendezvous.

The afternoon saw the arrival of Kojo, the palm wine tapper. He carried not one, but two large gourds of fresh palm wine, and another small container filled with the prized red oil.

“Good afternoon, Gzera!” he chirped, his face beaming. “More wine and oil as promised! My wife says you bring good fortune to this land with your cooking!”

Gzera accepted his offerings with a grateful smile. “Welcome, Kojo! You’re just in time for a late lunch.” She served him a warm, delicious meal, a different stew from the morning, rich with the fresh red oil and aromatic spices.

Kojo ate with his usual enthusiasm, savoring every bite. When he had finished, he sighed contentedly. "That was magnificent, maiden. I shall return tomorrow with even more wine, and perhaps some dried fish for your larder?"

"Hold on, Kojo," Gzera interjected gently, stopping him before he could leave. Her expression grew slightly more serious, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "There is something else I need. Something important."

Kojo's eyes lit up, eager to be of further service to the woman who brought such joy to his palate. "Name it, Gzera! Anything I can provide!"

"I need fabrics," she explained, gesturing vaguely at the large tunic she was still wearing. "I am... uncomfortable in these clothes. I need something more fitting, some soft fabrics to make myself new garments."

Kojo's eyes widened, then a wide grin split his face. "Fabrics! Why, my wife, Aba, she sells fabrics! The finest weaves in all the villages! Silks, cottons, beautiful patterns! She travels far and wide to gather them!"

Gzera's face brightened considerably. "Perfect!" she exclaimed. "If you can bring me some of your wife's finest fabrics tomorrow, then I promise her a serving of my cooking too. A meal truly fit for a queen, Kojo, in exchange for her beautiful cloth."

Kojo’s eyes gleamed with delight. His wife would be overjoyed! Not only would he get to feast on Gzera’s cooking again, but Aba, a shrewd businesswoman, would surely be thrilled at the prospect of such an unusual and prestigious customer. “Consider it done, Gzera!” he declared, already imagining the look on Aba’s face. “Aba will bring you her best! You shall have the softest, most beautiful fabrics imaginable!” With a final, enthusiastic nod, he hurried off, his mind already spinning with plans.

Thorn, who had observed this entire exchange in silence, merely shook his head. His land was becoming a marketplace, his solitude a social hub, all orchestrated by the priestess who still insisted on wearing his tunic. He had a feeling his life was about to become significantly more complicated.