The third loaf came out fine.
Better rise on the second proof than either of the first two, which was the result I'd been hoping to confirm since I put it in. Brenne had been a useful hand in the kitchen, took direction without needing it repeated. Figured out where things went faster than most people do in an unfamiliar kitchen. By the time the loaves finished cooling she was already back in the common room arguing with someone.
I made a note of that under useful to know and came back in with the board. The debate had moved on while I was in the kitchen.
I cleared the merchant's plate. The pie was gone to the last edge. Good.
I moved along the bench and refilled Renner's cup. He hadn't touched it since the sewer conversation. Completely cold. I poured it out, gave him a fresh one. He kept writing without acknowledging the exchange. The notebook had that presence it sometimes developed.
