16. Of Fizzles and Vittles

[multiplemint]

Posted on behalf of Tiny Pest

Nibs ignored the bustle of Great Hall. He moved through Cavern Hole in as fast a waddle as he could manage while Hornby explained what had happened in his absence.

"Everything's in shape, sir. I tested the October Ale while you were gone and it's perfect for the feast, and my strawberry fizz might even win a prize. Mr Glitham managed to keep his paws to hisself, and I did as instructed with the champagne, though one of the bottles fizzed over slightly when I released it."

Nibs nodded and made his way down the stairs, stopping to smile at his cellars. He enjoyed being underground a lot more when he had the company of his casks and the assurance of a strong ceiling.

"That's alright. What about preparations for the Brew Barreling? Is everything settled?"

Hornby gestured to a large wooden frame and some planks that had been stacked up against the wall.

"There's the stage. We just need to take it up to Great Hall and assemble it. We thought we'd finish the feast preparations first, and then really concentrate on the competition."

Nibs nodded and looked around. There were a few barrels and half a dozen cheeses waiting to be rolled up for the feast. First, he wanted to check on his champagne.

"Good lad, 'Ornby. Thank you. Go make sure your brews are ready for the contest. I'll call you in a while."

The mouse nodded and scampered away, leaving the old cellarhog smiling. He was a remarkable young fellow. Mice didn't often become cellarkeepers, but Hornby would do his job well.

With these thoughts in mind, the hedgehog checked his champagne. He dolloped a little honey in each bottle and tucked one underpaw.

A cluster of halved barrels provided a seating area in the Cellars, and Glitham and several of the brewers were already waiting.

Nibs sat down and grinned at his companions, looking around. Hornby was the only one still to come, and the cellarhog had seen his apprentice hurrying over.

"Ow's the brewing been, lads?"

Hornby arrived with his masterpiece and sat down while Glitham poured his own concoction.

"Why don't you bloody well taste it and see, wot!"

Nibs lifted his cup, smiling broadly.

"Too sweet, it'll be, Glitham. Always is."

He drank, pausing to taste the beverage critically. It wasn't so sweet anymore, but because of less honey, rather than more flavour.

"Mm, could be a good second place."

Glitham snorted, sipping his own brew and tasting critically. Nibs watched his friend until the old hare smiled sheepishly.

"Let's see if yours is much better."

He drained his cup and held it out and Nibs poured a measure of his brew, his eyes never leaving the beast. Glitham sipped, frowned and sipped again, before reluctantly letting the grin return to his face.

"I don't know how you manage it, Nibs."

Hornby nodded in agreement, echoing the sentiment. Drinks were tested and critiqued, and the brewers gave each other advice, then the cellarhog stood and clapped his paws.

"We all have our opinions on what's best, but it's ultimately up to the judges. May the best beast win."

The assorted creatures agreed loudly, then followed Nibs and Hornby out. The work went fast, with several creatures helping. The cheese and ale for the latter half of the feast were rolled up, and Nibs checked on the stage, which had been erected to one side of Great Hall, then the party dispersed to see to whatever individual duties they had or talk to other friends.

Nibs ran a piece of course paper over his section of the platform, adjusting the empty barrel to its rightful place before nodding his thanks to the waiting moles.

"Right, fill 'er up, Bumbub. 'Ow's Celan- Mrs Flowers?"

The mole gestured the rest forward and they began filling the barrels with snow. Tugging her snout, Bumbub nodded.

"She be alroight. Thankee furr arskin', zurr. 'Ee kin see 'er when th' feastin' starts, burr aye."

Nibs smiled, glad of the news. The hedgehog watched and assisted where he could until the barrels were full, then he followed the beasts down, thanking them before going to mingle in the larger part of the room.

Timothy and Acer hurried through, their paws around each other protectively. They stopped and the cellarkeeper made his way through the room to thank the friar for his hard work and dedication. Nibs hadn't really known the friar that well, but the passion he had for his craft was a quality the old hedgehog greatly admired.

Nibs wanted to tell him that, but the friar was gone again before he could reach him, and other beasts caught his gaze. Jaskia and Peri were sitting to one side, out of the main flow of busy beasts. The hare's hat was placed between them, and they both seemed very intent on their work. Nibs rattled his spikes in greeting as Peri looked up at him, a needle held firmly in her beak.

"Evening. What are you two up to?"

Jaskia nodded, holding the straw steady while Peri expertly made another stitch.

"One of the toads speared my hat, blinkin' bounder. Peri's just showing me how to fix it."

Nibs took a seat beside the two, watching in fascination as Peri continued sewing. It looked quite complicated, almost like shaping barrel staves, except the tool was pointy instead of... not pointy.

"Huh, looks tricky. Maybe some other day I'll learn. Could be a useful skill."

The three beasts chatted for a while longer, Peri offering to teach the cellarhog and Jaskia willing to plant some extra cotton to weave into fabric. A spoon rapped on the table, demanding everybeast's attention as the Abbess stood up, though 'standing' was perhaps a loose term. She was leaning heavily on the table, and seemed to be having difficulty holding her head up. Ever faithful, Paten was there to stop the venerable mouse from toppling sideways onto the ground.

"Abbeybeas's, frein's, welcome to thish feasht. Join paws now as we thank the sheasonsh an' whatnot for thish great provishion."

The words were slurred and came out slowly, but everybeast joined paws and bowed their heads while the Abbess intoned the odd mid-meal blessing on their food. Nibs finally made his way to the table to fill a plate, smiling and greeting beasts as he bumped into them, offering words of encouragement in return for their best wishes for the Brew Barreling.

The hedgehog found a place next to Sticky and beamed, checking to make sure he'd be able to get free before he sat down.

"That was a fun adventure we 'ad, weren't it? You did a grand old job fighting those toads. Stung 'em where it 'urts, eh? Well done!"

The cellarhog resisted the urge to slap the badger good-naturedly on the back and Bo just looked mildly uncomfortable, thanking him quickly. They ate their meal in what Nibs determined to be companionable silence, then the cellar keeper stood and moved towards the stage, touching his headspikes.

"Charming meal. Thank you for the company."

The Abbess seemed to have sobered up somewhat with some food in her belly, and she managed to walk successfully to the stage to join the brewers. After a whispered reminder from Paten, she waved a hand, distractedly and declared the ceremony open and there was a great deal of cheering, then the tasting began. The five judges sampled carefully, talking in hushed tones as they sipped, then moved away to consult further while the brewers served their drinks to the rest of the abbey. Nibs passed the cup back to Ruby, winking at her.

"Good work on the feast, lass. 'Ow are you an' Arthur going to figure out 'o's going to be friar, eh?"

Ruby laughed, saving Nibs from having to explain his joke.

"Acer's goin' to be Friar. Arthur an' I are just goin' t' be his helpers."

Nibs laughed and winked again, taking the next cup and filling it as Ruby moved away. The line slowly shortened until everybeast had taken their fill, and the six bottles he'd brought up were empty, the last one finished off in two cups which the cellarkeeper took down into the hall, making his way over to where Mrs. Flowers was sitting.

"'Ere, Celandine, I saved you some. 'Ow's the paw?"

The foremole took the cup and sipped, beaming proudly at her friend.

"Et be foine, but not as wunnerful as yore brew! Well done, moi friend."

Nibs glowed with the praise, the smile that had been on his face all evening getting bigger. He wanted to make a joke to hide his embarrassment, but for once nothing came to mind. The two chatted for a while, then Aquillian remembered who the second glass was for. He could see the judges making their way towards the stage and knew he didn't have much time. With a quick farewell, the hedgehog made his way to Timothy's table, offering the glass to the Friar.

"Thank you for your work 'ere at our Abbey. It's a great pleasure to know you and be working alongside you in feeding and providing for our friends."

There wasn't much time for small talk with the friar, as the brewers were called back to their places for the prize giving. Nibs cheered and patted Hornby's back as the mouse was presented with his ribbon. Strawberry fizz was an important part of abbey brewing and it involved a surprising amount of skill to get it perfect.

"Well done, 'Ornby! Excellent work!"

More cheering and congratulations passed as the awards for the ale, cordial and syrup were given out. Glitham made an excellent pine and peach syrup, and Nibs was glad for his friend.

"You deserve that prize, Glitham! Well done! I'm glad you got something."

Glitham's ears waggled modestly and he shrugged as if it were nothing.

"Thank you. I'm sure it's not the first and I hope it's not the last."

Finally the champagne took the floor, and after a short, tense conversation with the Abbess, Paten stepped in to announce the results.

"All the brewers have put on a marvelous effort, and it shows. Just take a moment to give the other brewers a round of applause. They're excellent at what they do, and their beverages are truly amazing."

The abbeybeasts sent up a deafening roar of approval, clapping, yelling and all around having a wonderful time.

"I have looked forward to this event for many seasons now, and it is my great pleasure to take part in it as one of the judges. Please put your paws together for the organisers of this Brew Barreling, and for our delightful Abbess who is hosting it."

There was more cheering, though it soon died down again to allow the hare to continue.

"I'd also like to thank our Friar and his chefs for putting on such a wonderful feast for us. The evening would not be the same without their efforts and contributions. Even with the recent distractions that arose when some enemies of the Abbey kidnapped one of our dibbuns, they still managed to have everything ready on time and tasting as wonderful as ever."

The enthusiasm returned to the crowd with that and everybeast clapped and cheered, turning to look at the table of cooks, yelling gratitude and good wishes. They didn't stop until Paten knocked on one of the barrels to regain their attention.

"I'd also like to thank all of you for being here and eating and drinking with us. Thank you to the Guosim and the Otter Crew for joining us and helping rescue Acer, and thanks to Martin for founding this Abbey and its community."

There was some cheering, but most of the beasts in the crowded hall just wanted to cut the suspense. A particularly vocal otterbabe said as much, and Paten complied.

"Now, the winner of the champagne contest: a charming friend and experienced cellarhog, Aquillian Nibs, with his elderflower champagne! Congratulations, Nibs! You are the winner of the golden barrel!"

Deafening cheers echoed through Great Hall and down into Cavern Hole as Nibs stepped forward to collect his prize. The hedgehog fondled the paw-sized barrel delightedly, then held it up for all to see, tears streaming from his eyes. After all these seasons, he had achieved his goal, and his heart swelled with pride. Now he would teach others to make it, so that his students would take the agarwood carving from his grasp. To lose would be his next greatest honour.