- 99 -
Krag set out a table for the evening meal. Damien and Thrain sat and miserly watched on as William got back on a garnt.
“It’s a young man’s game.” Damien said. “I never cared to ride one myself.”
“I agree, I’d much rather ride in the wagon and let them pull.” Thrain said. “Never see me falling off of one of those things.”
Thrain took a sip of an ale and sighed.
Damien made a note in his book and cross referenced one of the dusty tombs he carried.
“Drew is making some good coin today.” Thrain said.
“Perhaps.” Damien grumbled.
Drew was healing Pegg’s arm. The man had fallen without injury but the garnt he was riding had stepped on him as it bucked away.
“Uhhh! Couldn’t you block the pain?” He wailed.
“Man yup.” Hemut grunted as he held Pegg steady so Drew could set the bone.
“That's a beast with the sourest personality I’ve ever met!” Peg whined.
What a big cry baby. How do I heal him faster so I can get out of here?
Thrain watched Drew from across the camp, then leaned over discretely to speak aside to Damien.
“Their group still feels off, like they used to be bandits. At least some of them.” He said and took a gulp of his ale. “The wagons and my cart must look pretty valuable to them.”
“I’ve got our wards prepared to sound an alarm if anyone crosses into our camp.” Damien said.
Marcus cheered as he swiped away a notification. The 15th garnt nuzzled up to him begging for more biscuits.
“Huzzah! That’s the last one!” He cheered.
William and the two mercenaries groaned and sat down exhausted.
Two Johns stopped by to place four plates of food down at Thrain’s table.
“Thats the last one!” John cheered! “Well done everyone!”
“What’s the final score then? And how many dishes are you doing for me?” The other John taunted.
“Final score is 5 for Marcus, 8 for the Johns, six for you, and 2 for you John.”
John locked his brother’s head in a headlock and messed up his hair.
“No wrinkly fingers for me!” He crowed.
“Drew won over two with healing.” Damien rattled off from his notes.
“And zero for William and the Mercenaries!” Thrain cheered, laughing.
Debuff Removed: Fractured Bone (0/2)
Pegg reluctantly gave Drew two silver coins and a scowl.
Pegg joined the rest of the Ranchers and took his turn on the next garnt.
Wow. The ranchers have 24 garnt tamed. I guess they really are professionals.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Drew flew past as William dragged himself to the dinner table, and a John consoled him.
It was a hard days work. Our record is really good for us simple amateurs.
“Well since I’m not cleaning dishes let’s make a proper meal.” John said and clapped his hands together firmly. “We have those legumes, let’s make a stew!”
“Now wait a minute! Just because I’m doing all the cleaning that doesn’t mean you can make extra dishes!” His brother replied.
“Of course it does!” The third John laughed. “Now fetch that big old pot!”
John climbed into the storage wagon and lifted a big dented and burnt pot out.
The late afternoon sun began to dip low over the wild plains, casting long shadows after the cooking pot as John set about preparing the stew.
“This will be just the thing to warm bones and lift spirits after a long day’s work.” Marcus said cheerily.
The elf leaned close to another Garnt and fed it a biscuit. He made sure its lead was fastened to the wagon securely.
First, a John placed the battered old pot over a wide cooking stone. He added a generous glug of golden oil. Then he chopped some roots and tubers, their rich aroma curling up with the smoke and drifting across the camp. A gentle sizzling filled the air.
“Right, how are those legumes soaking?” John asked. His brother had set a heavy bag of the beans soaking.
He had then gone back to the wagon and rummaged through their stores, pulling out what looked like a couple knobby carrots and a parsnip. He chopped them up into bite sized chunks and their sweet aroma reached Drew.
“In they go!” He sang and tossed them into the pot to mingle and cook.
Drew studied closely, hoping to level up his cooking.
John looked through the legumes and picked out a few that he didn’t like and tossed they away.
“A stew needs substance, and there’s naught better than a few good beans to keep your strength up!” He sang, tipping them into the pot along with a splash of water. As all that simmered he diced up some mishrooms and tossed them in too.
John scooped up the prep dishes as his brother was done with them and got started washing them at their wash station.
Seraphina leaned against her John as he helped prep ingredients for his brother.
“Darling, could you pluck some of the herbs? We will need three handfuls. Let’s bring the aroma is the forest to these plains.” John said.
They look like a family, well the brothers are, but Seraphina has joined them so easily. How can they just welcome someone in like that? How can people fighting for their lives fall in love?
“I know just the ones.” She said and opened up their herbs box and pulled out 5 kinds of dried herbs and a small knife to process them.
Yeah we know she’s not a Skizzard, and she is a beautiful elf, but they are humans. The Johns could be your average looking guys back in San Lomadas. How are they able to meet a beautiful elf? Or that Farmer back in Aldermere?
Seraphina tossed the herbs in, the smell of the stew grew even richer.
“Hey they are assaulting us with fine cooking!” Pegg complained from the other camp, but nobody paid attention to his antics.
These people are not only surviving out here, they are having a party. Is life really that easy down on the plains? Rotterdale enjoyed several luxuries because of their wall and warded fences. We are practically roughing it out here. I can't Imagine making this trip on my own.
“Now then,” Said John. “a stew like this deserves a bit of seasoning!”
He dramatically reached into a bag and grabbed a hearty pinch of salt and pepper. He sprinkled it into the pot gradually as he stirred. With a wink at Drew, he slipped a small flask from his belt and feigned sneaking a generous pour into the pot.
“And a little extra cheer.” He whispered loudly.
The stew bubbled away over the cooking stone, filling the evening air with a hearty, comforting scent. While it simmered, the travelers rested.
Krag braided some rope and sat away from the group.
Marcus hummed quietly to their new garnts, calming them as he brushed them. He made a point to clean off the red hand paint Krag had marked them with.
The mercenaries came back with several full water skins and sorted them out in the storage wagons. Maggie and Drew mended some leather armor.
Damien and Thrain sat playing Cabal while watching the wind roll over the wild grass. Their view was occasionally interrupted as a pair of heavily armored mercenaries marched past on their patrol.
Object Repaired: Leather Bracer. Reward 38 exp.
Drew packed up his leather working tools and let his [Mage Hand] fade away.
Maybe I should go foraging for more fresh ingredients. This stew is smelling fantastic.
Drew flew over to the table and picked up the herbs knife. He foraged in a wide circle around the camp. Avoiding the Rancher’s camp. His mind wandered back to his objective to rank up the Skurr race.
What sets Skurr apart from these people? Is it their level of intelligence? Or is it sentience itself that sets these people apart from Skurr? The flock was intelligent especially the leaders, and they had enough of a social structure to exile me. But there wasn’t camaraderie like this.
Drew harvested a few mishrooms, storing them in his gathering ring.
I never really fit in with those birds, not really. I was too human.
He chased down one more mishroom and turned to look at the wide plains. It was a dangerous world and even battle hardened adventurers needed to let loose and rest everyone once in a while.
I won’t find love in this lifetime. I certainly won’t marry a bird. And what woman would love a skurr?
Drew flew back to the camp and deposited the mushrooms into the storage crate.
He picked up one of the treats for the garnt and pecked at it.
It’s delicious!
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Whoa! One biscuit cleared the quest twice? We got to make more of these.
“Drew! Don’t eat them all!” Marcus called. “I need them to settle these new additions to our herd.”
“Then we need to make more tomorrow.” Drew said. “They are delicious and free sources of exp!”
High quality food is the way to go.
“Just you wait until you try this stew! It’s a Papi John’s family recipe!”
“Your dad’s name was John too?” Drew asked incredulously. “How am I not surprised?”
“Alright everyone!" A John cheered startling the garnts. "Wash your hands, pull up a chair, or stool. Three non Johns are proud to present your dinner!”
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.
Quest complete: Hunger 150 exp.