"I'll let you in on a great secret," Ellarinne says playfully. "Food always, always tastes better, when it's made with care by someone else." She grins at Erik. "Promise you'll make bread for me now and then, and I'll consider myself amply repaid."

A week later, she keeps her word: she calls Erik on the sending stone and invites him to come over to her house, in the southeastern part of town. All he need bring is himself and clothes he doesn't mind getting dirty -- and perhaps, if he's feeling generous, a bottle of wine.

Cooking is nearly always more fun with wine, Ellarinne informs him.