Mark of the Fool

Chapter 561: It's Strange When It Happens Twice

After a long absence, Baelin was back.

His timing couldn't have been better.

Well, for Alex, at least.

For the saboteurs trying to sink Alexs business, things probably looked very different. Both the man and woman looked like someone had just signed their death warrants. The pair shrank back as the universitys chancellor stalked toward them, flanked by puzzled and amused city councillors.

Whatwhatswhatre you the man muttered.

Doing here? Baelin finished the sentence for him. What am I doing here? Well, it is as I said. These young folk are mentees of mine, and I would not miss this little opening of one of their projects for the world.

Oh gods, the man muttered.

The womanhis ally who had arrived to lend her supportwas already in full flight down the street.

Baelin glanced at the six-armed councillor. Tell me, Kartika, what was the fine for Defamation Against a Business again? I am so old that it seems to have slipped my mind.

The woman called Kartika looked incredibly amused as she rattled off the punishment from memory. The first time offence for Defamation Against a Business will be no less than one thousand gold plus an appropriate and fair percentage in proportion to revenue lost by the business by cause of the defamation, as determined by an investigative accounting team.

She paused, tapping her chin in thought. Of course, in pursuant of justice, a criminal conspirator who reveals the identities of fellow conspirators will be granted a measure of amnesty by the High Court of Generasi.

The mans eyes lit up like those of a shipwrecked sailor whod just spotted a rescue ship. TheI was paid to do this! he cried. Go-govert Beerensteyn said I could make a hundred gold if we pretended that we got food poisoning from that bakery! I swear, we didnt mean anything else by it! It was just for the gold. G-govert Beerensteyn! Hes the one you want! He came up with the whole idea!

Murmurs from the crowd turned to loud exclamations.

Guards! A crime has been committed! Baelin called.

Several city guards now hovered at the edge of the crowd, making sure no one gathered in the road broke the peace. On Baelins accusation, they surged forward.

The man didnt even try to resist as they grabbed him. He was already naming names and where each of Goverts agents could be found as they dragged him off.

And the crowd actually cheered.

Well, then. Baelin looked at Alex. I promised my friends a fine meal. Are you ready to provide?

Absolutely! Alex said, his voice booming over the street. Now that thats been resolved, what say some of you folk come in for a bite! Its our Grand Opening, after all, and everythings discounted. Come on, Ill show you why Govert felt he needed to resort to dirty tactics to stop us.

With that, Alex walked into the bakery.

A second later, he heard Baelin behind him with the members of the city council.

Then the rush began.

All hesitation vanished. The crowd poured inside, filling the bakery with curious customers.

Troy! Lorraine! Alex called. Get ready, this is going to be a rush.

And a rush it was.

It seemed the spectacle had brought half the district to the door, and soon orders were coming in so fast that he considered using haste magic just to keep up. The inside dining area filled. The outside soon after.

But, Alex hadnt forgotten his promise and had reserved tables for the stars of the day.

Sinope came in with her kin and Alex made good on his promise to feed all of them at no charge. He pushed the tables together and in no time, it sounded like a party as the dryads tried nearly everything on the menu, and between bites, they laughed, teased each other, and went on about how good the food was.

And they werent alone.

Words like; heavenly, delicious, oh, by every god, better than my mothers cooking, and more floated through the air, and soon, a long line was forming down the street. Alex cast haste magic on Troy and Lorraine, while Thundar, Selina and Theresa joined them in the kitchen, lending a hand in any way they could.

As the line grew, it attracted even more curious passersby, stopping to inquire about the earlier commotion. A wild story was told: one of sabotage, betrayal, a trial of public opinion, and even an arrest right there on the street.

It didnt take long for the story to be repeated throughout the district as Goverts saboteurs were rounded up. More folk streamed in from all over, drawn by the wild tale surrounding the bakerys opening.

The rush seemed never ending.

Even after Baelin had finished, congratulated Alex, and leftwith his councillor friends promising to return and tell their friends and family about the foodthe line just kept growing.

Alex had to use the aeld staff to put haste magic on his helpers so they could keep up.

Claygon served tables as friends stopped by.

Isolde came for lunch, with Hogarth and Svenia.

Kybas followed with the growing Harmless.

Of course Grimloch returned, devastating their supply of meat pies.

And even Professor Jules arrived in the afternoon.

Congratulations, Mr. Roth, she said after handing over her payment. I just hope this will not detract from your studies.

Hey, in some ways, baking is just its own form of alchemy, right? he joked. So Im studying, in my own way!

Shed simply sighed and headed for the door.

Within minutes, Troy came from the kitchen. Boss, were all out! he announced. Everythings gone for the day!

A wave of groans went through the crowd waiting at the counter, but Alex raised his hands.

Im so sorry everyone. I didnt expect this much support from so many people from the district. But, I'll tell you what. He paused for effect, using his voice to grab their attention. If you come back tomorrow? Ill keep our Grand Opening prices! So, if you didnt get a chance to try what you wanted today, youll have another chance before full prices begin!

There was still some grumbling from the line, but between using the Mark and his training handling annoyed customersthere were more than a few at McHarrishe calmed most people down with his sincerity and a guarantee that hed honour the discounted prices the next day. He also made sure to connect with them; shaking their hands, introducing himself, asking their names and using the Mark to remember those names, so next visit when he called them by name, theyd feel welcome.

Some still grumbled, but that didnt necessarily mean they wouldnt be back to give the food a trytime would tell.

Alex stood outside the bakery, watching the line disperse and grinning evilly. If he had a moustache, he could see himself twirling it like some villain in a play.

Govert had tried to get revenge, planning on ruining his business from day one. But, so much had gone wrong for the man that he almost, but not really, felt sorry for him. Instead of destroying his chances for a successful opening, hed gained more profit, and more advertising in a single day, than he could have in months, even if hed planned it.

And the irony was almost as delicious as the food theyd served today.

Humming to himself, he picked up the grand opening signs, folded them and was just preparing to take them insidewhen a ruckus broke out down the street. Squads of Generasis guards had rounded up a fair number of people.

Whats this now? He scrutinised them, looking at each one carefully. Huhwill you look at that. he thought, noticing that all of themexcept onehad dried stains covering the front of their clothing.

Unhand me! Govert Beerensteyn cried. Unhand me, you fools! I did nothing wrong! Im not the one serving rotten food! Im not!

But, unfortunately for him, his lies werent working. The ruse was up.

The guards continued dragging the protesting man down the streetin the midst of his guilty looking helpersuntil they all disappeared around the corner. Even then, Alex could still hear his cries of protest coming from the direction of the districts nearest guard house, growing dimmer until they died. Alex grinned. Huh, maybe one day when hes settled into a nice prison routine Ill pay him a visit with some mince tarts to thank him for all his helpeven if he didnt mean to help. His grin almost spread from ear to ear.

His face suddenly lit up. You know, thats the second corrupt baker that I got the guards onto. He shook his head, laughing. I cant believe thats actually happened twice.

Alex, a soft voice called out.

A familiar figure had emerged from the crowd and was hurrying toward him. She looked tense.

Carey? he said, surprised. What brings you down here?

I so wanted to make your grand opening, but it looks like Im too late, the young woman pointed at the signs he was holding then stopped to catch her breath. It appeared shed been running. I had classes all morning. She looked down at the signs. I started to jog when I saw you packing up. Are you closed? It seems rather early.

It does, doesnt it? Alex beamed. We sold out. Completely. It was absolutely wild.

Oh. Her face dropped.

Buuuut, Im sure I could fit in one more customer. Come on in, lets make sure we get you fed.

She gave him a wan smile. Thank you.

Together, they went inside, and Alex shut the door behind them, ending the first official day of business for the Roth Family Bakery, even though the grand opening wasnt technically over yet. And what an eventful grand opening it had been, so much had happened in just half a day.

Word was already spreading about Goverts manufactured drama. It was the perfect story, complete with villains, ups and downs, and a thrilling climax.

The good guys had even won in the end.

And along with the story, there was also the nostalgic feeling people who knew BeerensteynSr. had, but the true stand out of the day had been the food. Some people had left the bakery believing the entire incident as it had played out, while others thought that it had all been a massive stunt for publicity: a true superstar in the business of guerilla marketing.

But whether people completely believed the days events or not, no one questioned the quality of the food. It was good, very good, and most raved about it as they told others the story.

It was the one constant among all the exaggerations, rumours and theories.

If it hadnt been good, Goverts plan would have worked. No question. Because, with the frightening reputation the bakery had when hed owned it, no sane person would have doubted the stories about rampant food poisonings, but Alexs samples, and the early customers whod tasted them, proved the saboteurs were lying.

The Roth Family Bakerys food quality had let it thrive under pressure, and that news spread through the district like wildfire.

And beyond.

It would take time for many to understand the full extent of what had just happened, and merchants would be analysing the event for weeks after.

Thanks to Govert, the story of the Roth Family Bakerys beginnings was one that could be legend.

And nearly every known empire had a legend surrounding its origins.

###

So, first of all, Alex said, a glass of bubbling wine in his hand. I want to thank everyone here for all you did today.

Grinning, he watched his audience: Troy, Lorraine, Khalik, Najyah the dryads, his family andin a corner by herselfCarey. Everyoneexcluding Brutus, Selina, Claygon and Najyahhad a glass of their ownand wore the sort of dreamy smile one might wear at a favourite loved ones wedding. Carey looked down at her cup of tea.

There are a lot of things I want to say, but Im going to keep it simple because theres a lot to do for tomorrow, he said. So, Ill just say thank you. Troy? Lorraine? Youre getting full pay today, plus a bonus. You know what? Lets make that double-pay! he laughed.

Eh? Troy rose from his chair. Wait, why? We were only open for part of the day!

Because you put in more than double the work you had to, Alex said. And today was a special day. A very special day. You both helped make it so, and everyone should be rewarded. And speaking of that.

He looked at Khalik and dryads. All of you get to eat here for free for the next month. Limit one meal per day! Alex laughed. Cuz I know, youll try to bankrupt me, Khalik.

Curses, you know me too well, the prince lamented, and Sinope giggled.

Alex went to Selina, Theresa and Claygon and caught them in a hug. And thanks, all of youwe did it. We did it together.

Mum and dad would be happyI think, Selina said softly.

Im sure they would be, Alex agreed.

My mother and father would be proud too, Theresa squeezed Alexs waist.

Claygon patted Alex on the shoulder. Todaywas a good day. A very good day.

As the young wizard hugged his family, his eyes rested on Careys face as she sat at her table. The young woman was looking down, and her expression was one of the loneliest hed ever seen.

Hed need to talk to her.

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