Rowan and Elyan crouched over the fallen resa, the majestic creature's silver-blue fur shimmering in the dappled sunlight. Rowan glanced at Elyan, noting the mix of excitement and trepidation in the young boy's eyes.
"The first lesson of handling your game after hunting," Rowan began, his voice steady and calm, "is to respect the animal. We use every part we can, nothing goes to waste."
Elyan nodded, swallowing hard. He watched intently as Rowan drew his knife, the blade catching the light. "First, we need to bleed it out properly," Rowan explained, making a precise cut to ensure the blood drained efficiently. "This helps preserve the meat and lessen the weight of the animal."
As the blood flowed, Rowan continued, "Next, we skin it. You start by making an incision from the neck down to the belly, being careful not to puncture the intestines. That would ruin the meat." Rowan demonstrated, his hands steady and practiced. Elyan followed each movement closely, the smell of the forest and the coppery scent of blood mingling in the air.
Once the initial cut was made, Rowan carefully peeled the skin back, using the knife to separate it from the muscle underneath. "Take your time with this," he advised. "A clean skin is valuable for many things—clothing, armor, even trade."
Elyan tried to emulate Rowan's movements, his hands trembling slightly. Rowan's encouraging words and patient instruction helped him gain confidence. Together, they worked until the resa was fully skinned, its fur neatly set aside.
Rowan smiled, clapping Elyan on the shoulder. "Not bad for your first try. Now, let's head back and see what Bronnar can teach you about cooking and preserving this meat. I know how to cook but it wouldn't be at Bronnarr's level. So, you are going to learn straight from the master."
They returned to the camp, where Bronnar awaited them with a knowing grin. "Ah, I see you've got yourself a fine catch," he rumbled. "Now, let's get to work."
Bronnar's broad hands made quick work of preparing the meat. "First, we need to cut the meat into manageable pieces," he explained, expertly slicing through the resa's flesh. "Some parts are best cooked right away, others need to be preserved."
Elyan watched as Bronnar seasoned the meat with a mixture of herbs and spices, then set it over the fire. The aroma was mouth-watering. "For long-term storage," Bronnar continued, "we'll salt and dry the meat. Salt draws out the moisture, which helps prevent spoilage."
He showed Elyan how to properly apply the salt, then hung the strips of meat over a rack to dry. "As for the skin," Bronnar said, "it needs to be cleaned and stretched. We'll use it for making clothes or trading with other travelers."
Elyan was engrossed in the process, but as night fell and the campfire crackled, the weight of the day's events began to settle in. The camp was a cozy circle of flickering light in the vast, dark forest. Shadows danced on the trees, and the sounds of the forest seemed to grow louder in the stillness of the night.The firelight cast long shadows on the ground as Elyan lay on his makeshift bedroll, staring up at the canopy of stars above. The smell of cooked meat and burning wood lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest. Elyan's eyelids felt heavy, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
Bronnar's voice rumbled softly as he spoke to Darius across the fire, their conversation a comforting murmur. Rowan was busy cleaning his gear, his movements precise and methodical. Elyan's mind drifted back to Eldergrove, to the familiar faces and the warm embrace of Mira. The memory of her tearful goodbye tugged at his heart, making his chest ache.
He turned on his side, trying to get comfortable. The ground was not just hard, but cold and damp. Tiny stones and bits of rubble dug into his back, making it difficult to find a comfortable position, a stark contrast to the soft bed he had back home. He missed the familiar smells of home, the simple comforts of his village, the sense of security he felt there. Now, everything was uncertain.
As he lay there, eyes half-closed, he caught faint voices of Darius and the other having a discussion. He strained to listen, with his [Keen Sense] passive skill, he managed to catch snippets of their conversation.
"...kid doing?" Darius whispered. "Based on his intelligence points, I assume he is a quick learner. So how did it go during the hunt and the cooking part?"
Rowan and Bronnar nodded, glancing towards Elyan's sleeping form. "You got that right. He watched me skin the resa for not even 1 minute but he tried it himself afterwards. A little slowed down but got it right the first time, impressive. The fact that he didn't even ruin the fur even though it was his first time doing it is enough to tell me he got the talent." Explained Rowan on how Elyan performs when he's with him.
"What about you Bronnar?" said Darius while looking at Bronnar.
"I share the same opinion as both of you. Caught on fast during cooking too. Memorized everything after seeing me do it once. He did it slowly but still got it all correct. All the steps and ingredients. I will ask him again tomorrow and we decide after that" Replied Bronnar.
"Hmm. Le'ts do that. Bronnar, I want you to show some of his cooking skills to Sorcha tomorrow and Rowan, I need you to praise Elyan for his hunting skills as well." Ordered Darius while keeping his voice low.
"What about me? What is my role tomorrow?" Shalia chime in.
"Just keep an eye on Elyan and engage him in conversation. That should keep him mentally spent and tire him out. Seems like we've covered everything. Let's get some rest." Everyone nodded and went to their own makeshift bedroll.
Elyan lay still, trying not to show any sign that he is listening. "Who is Sorcha? And why are they trying to make me look good in front of this person? I have to be careful tomorrow." His tiny heart raced. The way they talk about him makes his skin crawl. There's something unsettling about the way they discuss his skills. Even more so on the plan of making him distracted and tired.
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The morning began quietly, with the adventurers showing Elyan different ways to cook the meat they had hunted the previous day. Bronnar, the burly man with a thick beard, demonstrated how to roast meat on an open fire, while Rowan taught Elyan the finer points of seasoning and slow-cooking. The smell of sizzling meat filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere despite the underlying tension Elyan felt. He did not manage to get a good night sleep last night.
After their meal, they packed up their camp and set off along a steep road. As they climbed higher, Darius pointed out an old abandoned house at the top of a hill not too far away. "We'll rest there for lunch," he said, his voice carrying a note of familiarity with the place.
The old, crumbling house appeared as they drew nearer. Its roof was missing, and sections of the walls hung precariously over the edge of a cliff. Vines and moss had engulfed the dilapidated structure, giving it an eerie, deserted look. Despite its ruined state, the house still offered some protection from the elements and a spot to rest. Down below, the faint sound of a river rushing could be heard, a constant reminder of the treacherous drop just outside.
As they walked, the adventurers peppered Elyan with questions. "So, Elyan, how did you come by your skills?" Shalia asked, her tone casual.
Elyan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've always been good with a knife," he said cautiously. "There was a wandering adventurer staying at the inn some time ago, and I was able to pick up the basic skills of knife-wielding from them.
"What about your second name? Why is it unreadable?" Shalia inquired, her sharp eyes watching him intently.
About that...being an orphan with an unknown family background, I never had a name of my own. Mama Mira gave me my first name. My second name, I got to choose for myself," he confessed.
As they neared the old house, the sun was high overhead, casting long shadows across the dilapidated walls. Near the house, a woman with a horse stood waiting. She was stroking the animal's mane, her hands lovingly caressing its dark bay coat. The horse was a beautiful and impressive creature, standing at least 16 hands tall and exuding an air of confidence and quiet curiosity as it surveyed the newcomers.
"Took you long enough, Darius." Said the woman with grin on her face.
"Well, it is Eldergrove after all. Can't be too careful." Darius turns around and face with the other members. "Alright, let's camp here for the night. Elyan, you can help Bronnar with the food."
Elyan nodded and went to help Bronnar prepare the lunch as the others. They carefully prepared a small fire in the part of the house where the roof was missing, making sure that the smoke would be able to escape easily. The flames crackled and flickered, illuminating the ruins around them and casting dancing shadows on the walls. The fire provided some much-needed warmth and light, as the interior of the house was cold and dark.
Darius walk closer to the women "How is your business, Sorcha? I heard that its harder to get a buyer for your product nowadays"
Sorcha smirked at the remark coming out of Darius's mouth. "Business is good, and I am expecting only high quality from you. Are you able to provide me the product with the same quality as before? I doubt so."
"Pfft." He scoffed. "The product this time around is way better than any product that I have prepared for you before," Darius said, standing with a puffed chest.
"I hope you did not just say that to increase the prices," replied Sorcha as she rolled her eyes in disbelief. She then turned her attention to Elyan, who was currently cooking.
Darius continued making small talk with Sorcha while facing towards Elyan, signaling Sorcha to observe and pay attention to Elyan's skills in preparing a meal. Shalia joined them once she was done arranging their makeshift tent.
While they were having a conversation, Rowan approached them with the items that they had gotten from yesterday's hunt with Elyan. All this time, Elyan was secretly stealing glances at them while cooking. He had a discomforting feeling in his gut that was different from an upset stomach. Everything was going like they planned, from the cooking skills to the hunting products shown to Sorcha while looking at him and Bronnar.
"Umm brother Bronnar, can I take a break for a while? I want to look around the house." Elyan trying to find an excuse to get away from their staring session.
"It's an abandoned house, kid. There is nothing left to look around for and the floor is rotten, that is why we are only halfway inside the house instead." Bronnar replied with his usual stern face while his eyes fixed on Elyan.
Elyan nodded but he still turned around to look at the house's interior. With the fire burning in the part of the house where the roof was missing, the dancing flames cast a warm glow over the decaying ruins. The walls, covered in vines and cracked from age, were lit with the fire's light, throwing shadows into the corners of the room. The warmth of the fire replaced the cold, stale air, and the crackling of the firewood filled the room, creating a cozy atmosphere in the otherwise dark and abandoned house. Elyan continued to help Bronnar with the cooking.
Once they are done, Darius invites Sorcha to taste the food first. Sorcha took a bite of the food and, as the flavors danced on her tongue, a pleased expression spread across her face. Unbeknownst to her, she accidentally blurted out, "Can hunt and can cook! You'd fetch a handsome price in the market." As soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly realized that she had spoken her thoughts aloud. She quickly covered up her slip of the tongue with, "I mean, this food is really good."
A sense of unease washed over Elyan. Before he could react, Rowan who sit closest grabbed him. Elyan, wary of the previous night's overheard conversation, acted on instinct. He twisted free, grabbing his short knife and slashing at Rowan. Rowan yelped in surprise but laughed. "Tsk, I guess even the kids in Eldergrove are strong," he remarked, clutching his bleeding arm.
Elyan backed away, holding his knife defensively. The adventurers circled him, toying with him as they cornered him against the crumbling walls of the house.
"Why?" Elyan demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
Sorcha put down her spoon and crossed her arms over her chest in a closed-off stance."Since the cat is out of the bag. I don't have time to waste," she said coldly. "I'm a slave trader. I have been paid handsomely to obtain a slave like you. Far to the east is another city that will be your new home. North-east from here is our camp where you will be kept until we move. I am sure you will like it there."
Elyan's heart raced. He glanced around, looking for any possible escape route. The adventurers' mocking laughter echoed in his ears as they closed in.
"There's no way out, kid," Bronnar sneered. "Just come quietly, and we won't hurt you more than necessary. We need you in good condition"
Desperation fueled Elyan's movements. He darted towards a gap in the wall, but Shalia was quicker. She blocked his path, her sword drawn. Elyan skidded to a stop, his breath coming in short gasps.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Darius said, his voice eerily calm. "But either way, you're going with Sorcha here."
Elyan felt his world closing in. The memories of Eldergrove, Mira, and his simple life there flashed through his mind. He gripped his knife tighter, determined to fight until the end, even if the odds were stacked against him.