Master Baker Thomas woke up at 4:00 AM to a freezing kitchen and a sinking feeling in his stomach. He rushed over to the large wooden proofing troughs, lifted the heavy cloth covers, and sighed in defeat. The sourdough loaves, meant to feed the entire village at sunrise, sat flat and lifeless in the cold air. The fire in the hearth had gone out overnight, and without warmth, the dough had failed to rise. Thomas sat down on a flour sack, putting his head in his hands, wondering how he would pay his rent if he had absolutely nothing to sell to the hungry market-goers at dawn.
A soft, rhythmic purring broke the heavy silence of the kitchen. From beneath the warm brick oven, a midnight black cat named Sebastian trotted out, stretching his long legs until his sleek dark fur caught the faint morning light. Sebastian trotted over and nudged Thomas's ankle with a comforting, resonant meow before immediately beginning his morning inspection of the pantry.
The clever cat leaped gracefully onto a low shelf and began pacing along the ledge. Sebastian paused next to a large canvas sack sitting in the corner, sniffing it intently. He began playfully batting at the tightly knotted drawstring with his paw until the loop slipped loose. Sebastian gave the top of the sack one final nudge, and the heavy bag tipped forward, spilling a mountain of fresh, active brewer's yeast right next to the mixing bowls. Thomas blinked, looking from the spilled yeast to the cold hearth, and jumped to his feet. Sebastian had just shown him the solution.
Thomas quickly rebuilt the fire, filling the kitchen with a cozy, crackling warmth. He scooped up the fresh yeast, mixed it with warm water and sweet honey, and added it to a brand-new batch of flour. He kneaded the heavy dough with all his strength, his hands moving in a fast, practiced rhythm. Sebastian sat watchfully by the hearth, his silhouette standing out against the bright orange flames, he was ensuring the temperature stayed perfectly warm. Within an hour, thanks to the fresh yeast and the roaring fire, the dough puffed up, doubling in size and filling the troughs to the brim.
By 7:00 AM, the village street was filled with the irresistible, rich aroma of perfectly baked crusty loaves, sweet cinnamon rolls, and much more. Thomas threw open the bakery doors with a wide smile, welcoming a long queue of cheering customers who bought every single item on the shelves. By noon, the bakery completely sold out, and Thomas had earned enough coins to secure his shop for months to come. He celebrated by placing a large bowl of fresh cream on the floor, watching happily as Sebastian lapped it up before curling into a peaceful, purring black ball in the sunniest window seat of the shop.
