Nia raised the cup to Nia's lips, glancing around at the bustling atmosphere of Kisha's Sheep. A customer dipped bread into steaming soup with a joyful smile, another savored roasted chicken atop fried rice mixed with butter and eggs, and yet another read a book while sipping a hot beverage from a small cup.
Observing the customers enjoying their varied dishes and drinks to start the day, Nia's gaze shifted toward the kitchen, where the flames of cooking roared. Nia wondered which of the dishes being prepared was the one Nia had ordered, called Hoomsha. As Nia pondered, the server who had shown Nia to Nia's seat approached again.
"Here's your order of Hoomsha for three, some bread, and a refreshing lemon water with lemon slices. Since you said you'd be eating all three portions yourself, we've served it in a large bowl. Is that alright?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
The server set down a massive oval bowl filled with broth infused with brown and red spices and chunks of meat. Alongside it, the server placed three flatbreads larger than Nia's head and a large cup of chilled lemon water, its surface beaded with tiny droplets.
"Enjoy the taste of Kisha's Sheep to your heart's content."
The server gave Nia a slight bow, adjusted the Kidashi around the server's neck, and hurried off to greet new customers entering Kisha's Sheep.
"Wooaah! This looks delicious!"
Nia grabbed a large, deep-bottomed spoon and scooped up a spoonful of the rich Hoomsha broth. Tiny pieces of onion and potato slid into Nia's mouth, the savory broth blending harmoniously with the nutty flavor of the potato and the sweetness of the onion.
"Mmm! Delicious! Now for the meat!"
Nia reached out, stabbing a large piece of meat from the center of the giant bowl with a fork and quickly bringing it to Nia's mouth. The moment Nia pressed the meat against the roof of Nia's mouth with Nia's tongue, it was so tender it practically fell apart without needing Nia's sharp teeth. The mild flavor of the meat, infused with spices, spread through every corner of Nia's mouth, tantalizing Nia's taste buds.
Eyes sparkling at the taste of the Hoomsha meat, Nia gripped a spoon in Nia's left hand and a fork in Nia's right, diving into the dish. Nia sipped the broth with one hand while stabbing spice-coated chunks of meat with the fork in the other, bringing them to Nia's mouth.
"Haa! Hoomsha, Hoomsha! What a tasty dish! Now for the bread!"
Setting down the fork and spoon, Nia tore off a piece of the large flatbread and dipped it into the Hoomsha broth. The rich, red broth soaked into the bread, mingling with its mild, nutty flavor. The spicy kick of pepper, the saltiness, and the fiery taste of lion's head beans blended into a new, harmonious flavor that filled Nia's mouth.
Dipping the bread wasn't enough to satisfy Nia. Nia tore off an even larger piece, placing chunks of Hoomsha's mutton, beans, and potatoes scooped from the broth onto the flatbread before shoving it into Nia's mouth. Nia's cheeks puffed out as Nia chewed, savoring the flavors of Hoomsha. A sip of lemon water refreshed Nia's palate.
"Kweee! This is amazing!"
The crisp tang of the lemon water washed down Nia's throat. Time to start again.
Nia tore off another piece of bread, piling it high with mutton, beans, potatoes, and onions scooped from the broth, and ate with gusto. The meat was so tender Nia realized Nia didn't even need a fork. Spreading a piece of flatbread on Nia's palm, Nia scooped Hoomsha onto it and couldn't stop eating. Each chaotic combination on the spoon brought a new flavor when placed on the bread.
When more lion's head beans were included, Nia's mouth tingled with spice. A large chunk of potato added a nutty richness. Sometimes, a massive piece of mutton, dripping over the edge of the spoon, brought the distinctive spiced meat flavor that delighted Nia's taste buds.
A single dish offered a spectrum of flavors. No matter how Nia ate it, it was Hoomsha, but sometimes spicier, sometimes sweeter, or rich and nutty with potato and bread.
Nia ate with fervor, Nia's hands moving tirelessly. Eventually, Nia abandoned the spoon entirely, using a piece of flatbread to scoop up the meat, soaking it lightly in the broth and gathering beans, potatoes, and onions to eat together.
Only one piece of bread remained. Nia soothed Nia's tingling mouth with lemon water, chewing the Hoomsha and bread while the spicy aroma of lion's head beans and the sweet scent of the broth lingered in Nia's breath.
"Hooo~ Hooo! So good. Hoomsha is too delicious!"
The last piece of bread vanished into Nia's mouth in no time, and the towering pile of meat in the bowl was gone, leaving only the broth behind.
Using both hands, Nia lifted the bowl to Nia's lips and drank every last drop of the Hoomsha broth. Nia had eaten the massive portion so quickly that the bowl still retained the warmth of the dish.
"Wow, customer! Finishing all that is impressive! I'd have been overwhelmed by half that amount."
The server said, approaching Nia's table after setting down dishes and drinks for other customers across from Nia.
"Thanks to you, I'm stuffed with Hoomsha. My stomach's full."
Nia replied, patting Nia's belly and thanking the server who had recommended the dish.
"But you've got to have dessert. Something sweet helps with digestion, you know."
The server said, gathering the empty bowls.
"Then I'll have some. Bring me a recommended dessert."
Nia said, glancing at Nia's full stomach and letting out a long sigh.
"Got it! I'll be right back. Just a moment."
The server spun around and headed to the kitchen. Moments later, the server returned, placing small plates of dessert and a steaming cup of hot tea in front of Nia.
"Here we go! Figs preserved in honey, pudding made with rosewater and sheep's milk, and a robust black tea! This honey stick can be stirred into the tea to sweeten it, or you can eat it like candy."
"Mmm! Thanks."
Nia used a small spoon to scoop up a fig coated in sticky honey and placed it in Nia's mouth. As Nia slowly chewed, the fragrance of the fig, melded with the honey, rose to Nia's nose.
The intense sweetness of the honey sent a tingle across Nia's tongue. Nia blew on the steaming black tea, brought it to Nia's lips, and took a sip. The tea's bold bitterness cleansed Nia's palate of the lingering sweetness.
"Let's try the honey stick in the tea."
Nia dipped the honey stick, hardened like golden crystal, into the tea, stirring it briskly. Nia licked the partially melted honey from the stick, savoring its sweetness.
"Now for the pudding."
Nia scooped a spoonful of the white pudding from a small round bowl. Unlike the intense sweetness of the honey, the pudding's gentle sweetness melted on Nia's tongue, sliding down Nia's throat.
Feeling the spoonful wasn't enough, Nia tilted the bowl and poured the rest of the pudding into Nia's mouth. It didn't take long to finish the remaining honeyed figs and black tea.
"Hooaaah~ I'm full-dar."
With no backrest on the chair, Nia turned and leaned against the table, letting out a long sigh of satisfaction from Nia's full stomach.
*****
Peckwood Dragon. That's what the dwarves of Ixtarn sometimes call the Droko. The name comes from the woodpecker-like sounds produced by the organs in their jaws and mouths.
Tap tap. Tok. Tang! Tang tang. Tok. Tok. Todo. Tang tadang. Tok!
Having enjoyed a hearty meal at Kisha's Sheep , Nia stepped out, producing the unique sounds characteristic of the Droko, befitting the nickname, the Peckwood Dragon, as Nia walked through the streets of the grand market.
"Kaaa~Taaa~da~rrr~TaTaTaTa~TaTar~ TaTa."
Matching the rhythm of Nia's sounds, Nia began to sing. Nia's steps lightened as Nia sang, the music in Nia's mind ever-present as a Droko. It wasn't just an organ in Nia's head—it was there to celebrate births, new bonds, to honor the great red dragon Katadar, in the heat of battle, or in moments of loss. This instrument in Nia's mind was with Nia always, except in death. And, like now, after a delicious meal, it played joyfully as Nia sang and walked.
Singing Nia's way along, Nia arrived at Dram's forge.
Seeing Nia, Dram lifted Nia's two-handed sword from the workbench, announcing it was ready, and handed it to Nia.
Nia's face lit up as Nia took Nia's cherished, freshly maintained sword. At Dram's suggestion to test it, he placed a long piece of wood before Nia.
Swish, slice.
The sharp blade cut through the wood with a sound that split the air, and the severed log fell to the ground. The leather-wrapped handle felt rough but not painfully so.
"Mmm! I like it! Thanks, Dram!"
"Hahaha! No trouble at all. Just put in a bit more effort for the price."
Dram replied with a grin.
"I'll recommend your forge to the other gladiators. And Kisha's Sheep, too, since you suggested it!"
Nia said, swinging Nia's sword through the air.
"Oh, speaking of, how was the meal?"
"Delicious! I'd go back after the match."
"Haha! Glad you enjoyed it."
"I'm off to the arena now."
Nia sheathed long sword at Nia's waist, waved goodbye, and left the forge.
"Win that match! And come back anytime!"
Dram called after Nia, taking a few steps to see Nia off.
"Tonight, maybe I'll head to Kisha's Sheep myself… gotta settle that drink I owe Niomira."
Dram muttered, stretching his arms toward the sky before heading back to his anvil.
"Time to get some work done until it's time for a good meal!"