Chapter 15: Toasting to Success

Diego was in the castle kitchen, immersed in the task of cleaning the cooking utensils used during the day.

With a rudimentary spatula, Diego scraped off the visible food remnants and dirt from the plates and pots, ensuring to eliminate any trace of the last meal prepared in the castle kitchen.

Next, he submerged the utensils in a bucket of cold water, allowing the liquid to flow between the creases and cracks, removing loose debris and larger residues remaining on the surface.

Using a mixture of fine sand and ashes collected from the fireplace, Diego vigorously scrubbed each utensil, applying pressure to remove stuck-on food residues and embedded dirt. The rough sound of the sand against the metal resonated in the kitchen as he worked with determination.

After scrubbing with abrasives, Diego rinsed the utensils again, this time with hot water, ensuring to eliminate any remaining sand or ashes, leaving the utensils sparkling and free of impurities.

Once cleaned and rinsed, Diego placed the utensils on a clean cloth and let them air dry.

With the utensils clean and drying, Diego paused for a moment to reflect on the day that had passed in the castle. As he looked at the shiny plates and pots arranged on the clean cloth, an idea began to form in his mind.

"It would be a good idea to invite the cooks to the tavern this afternoon," Diego thought to himself. "They have worked tirelessly to ensure today's birthday celebration was a success, and I believe they deserve a moment of rest and celebration."

With this decision made, Diego continued his cleaning duties with renewed energy, feeling satisfied with the opportunity to recognize his colleagues' hard work. As he dried the last of the utensils and stored them away, his mind was full of plans for the evening ahead.

Once the kitchen was tidy and ready for the next day, Diego left the room and headed to the tavern, where he knew he would find his fellow cooks.

As he walked along the castle's cobblestone paths, he mentally reviewed the reasons why he wanted to invite his colleagues to share a drink and a meal.

"They have all worked hard to prepare Miss Sancha's birthday celebration," Diego reflected. "From crafting the most exquisite delicacies to paying meticulous attention to every detail, they have demonstrated their dedication and skill in the kitchen. I believe they deserve a moment of relaxation and camaraderie, to celebrate the day's success together."

With this motivation in mind, Diego arrived at the tavern and entered with confidence, looking for his colleagues among the establishment's regular patrons. Once he spotted them at a table in the back, he approached with a smile on his face and greeted them enthusiastically.

"Good afternoon, friends!" exclaimed Diego, catching the attention of those present. "I hope you're ready for an evening of celebration and good times!"

The cooks, surprised but delighted by the invitation, responded enthusiastically and prepared to enjoy a night of relaxation and camaraderie. With the promise of good food, drink, and company.

Diego settled into a chair at the table where the cooks had gathered, eager to start the celebration. He looked around, enjoying the bustle and lively atmosphere of the tavern, while his colleagues chatted and laughed among themselves.

However, he knew that before they could fully enjoy the night, they needed to make sure they had something to drink. With a determined smile, Diego stood up and raised his hand to get the attention of the waitress moving among the occupied tables.

"Hey, you!" exclaimed Diego, raising his voice to be heard above the noise of the tavern. "Bring six beers, the largest ones you have!"

He waved his hand towards the bar, indicating the number of beers they wanted and hoping to catch the attention of the busy waitress.

The waitress, busy taking orders at another table, looked up when she heard Diego's voice. With a friendly smile, she nodded in understanding before quickly returning to her current task.

"All right, coming right up!" replied the waitress, hurrying to fulfill Diego's order while continuing to serve the other tavern customers.

Diego sat back with a sense of satisfaction, knowing they would soon have something to drink while they decided what else they would order to accompany the evening. As they waited, he took the opportunity to chat and share laughs with his fellow cooks, enjoying the company and the cozy atmosphere of the tavern.

The waitress returned with a hefty tray loaded with six jugs of beer, each overflowing with golden, frothy liquid. With a radiant smile, she placed the jugs on the table in front of Diego and his fellow cooks, ensuring they were well positioned for easy reach.

"Here are your beers, gentlemen," announced the waitress cheerfully. "And what would you like to accompany them?"

Diego considered the options, knowing they wanted something to nibble on while they enjoyed their drinks. With a nod of agreement, he responded confidently: "Let's start with something light. Could you bring us some bread, preferably of good quality, and a cheese board? Additionally, some raisins and nuts would be great too."

The waitress nodded in understanding and took note of Diego's order before heading to the bar to arrange the requested appetizers. Meanwhile, Diego and his colleagues prepared to enjoy their freshly served beers, chatting animatedly and sharing anecdotes from the day.

Shortly after, the waitress returned with a tray full of delights: a generous assortment of freshly baked bread, accompanied by a varied selection of cheeses emitting an irresistible aroma. The raisins and nuts were strategically distributed around the board, adding a touch of sweetness and texture to the impromptu feast.

With a satisfied smile, Diego thanked the waitress for her diligence and prepared to enjoy the delicious appetizers in the company of his fellow cooks. The tavern resonated with laughter and lively conversations as they shared the treats and toasted to the day's success and the camaraderie among friends.

After savoring the first beers and devouring the delicious appetizers, Diego noticed that the jugs were quickly emptying. He watched closely as the liquid level decreased in each glass, silently signaling that it was time to order another round.

With a smile, Diego called the waitress over again, who approached promptly, ready to attend to their needs.

"Could you bring us another round of beers, please?" Diego requested politely, pointing to the almost empty jugs on the table.

The waitress nodded with a sympathetic smile and quickly withdrew to fulfill the order, returning shortly afterward with another tray full of fresh, bubbly beer jugs.

Diego and his colleagues thanked her for the gesture and toasted to the waitress's generosity and good company. They drank with satisfaction, enjoying the refreshing taste of the beer and the warmth of shared friendship.

Once they had finished the second round, Diego called the waitress over again to ask for the bill. With a grateful smile, he asked the inevitable question:

"How much is it in total?"

The waitress replied kindly: "It's 20 silver for the food and 1 gold dinar for the beer, sir."

Diego nodded with appreciation and withdrew the corresponding amount from his purse, handing it to the waitress with a satisfied smile.

"Thank you for your service," Diego said, expressing his gratitude for the attention and the quality of the food and drink.

The waitress accepted the payment with a smile and left with the satisfaction of having provided excellent service to her customers. Diego and his colleagues bid farewell with joy, satisfied with the evening of celebration and camaraderie they had enjoyed at the tavern.