Chapter 29: Salt

Chapter 29: Salt

Theo never considered the cluster of houses at the north end of town, at the bottom of the farmers hill. He saw it on his administrators map, but never put the information together to understand it was where most of the people in town lived. Aarok led them there, up through the square and past the tavern. They walked quickly past the Marsh Wolf Tavern, not wanting to draw Xams eye. She seemed to think everyone should take three meals a day from her establishment.

Its not much, Aarok said, shrugging.

Theo didnt want to confirm what he said, but he was right. The house sat off a side road, nestled among boulders and trees. It was the same rotting wood construction that the rest of the town was made of, its shoddy foundation miraculously holding the frame up. The inside was more inviting than the outside, although the alchemist spotted some holes in the roof. It had the clean smell of a place just doused with [Cleansing Scrub], the walls adorned with hunting trophies. They entered a living area with a bedroom off to their right, the door barely holding onto the frame.

Its nice! Tresk shouted, overshadowing Theos mental response.

She was right. It wasnt a core house, but it was cozy. Compared to what was left on Earth, this place was delightful. Theo felt himself lifted by the Marshlings positive attitude, and he started searching for the good in the place. The living area held a hearth on the far side made of stone, the remnants of a cooking fire still smoldering. There was plenty of seating in the main area, and a window looking out the front.

Its a Broken Tusk hovel, Luras said, plopping down in a chair and glaring at Theo. What more could you expect?

Its nice, Theo said, nodding. No, really, it is. If you went to my planet, before it was destroyed, and found a swamp it was far worse than this. Bombed-out houses, radiation everywhere. It was bad.

Whats radiation? Tresk asked.

Like poison, but it gets in your body by just existing, Theo said.

We have something like that, Aarok said, shivering. Wizards can cast nasty magic.

Aarok busied himself with the fire before digging a pan from a crate near the hearth. He withdrew something from his dimensional bag and set it aside, waiting for the newly lit fire to burn to coals. Theo found a seat and reclined, watching as a group of people passed by the window. He noticed more people on this side of town, and realized that his alchemy lab was placed near the tannery, a place where people didnt want to go.

Hey! Tresk shouted, jumping from her seat and crossing the room. Is that butter? How the heck did you get Karatan butter?

A smile crept across the Half-Ogres face. Its been in my bag for a long time. Ive been saving it for a special occasion, and this seemed fitting.

What with the adventurers guild and new walls, Luras said, grunting. Seems appropriate.

While Luras tried to hide his excitement, Theo could see it. He leaned forward in his chair a little more and licked his lips. The alchemist tried not to laugh, but then Aarok pulled a loaf of bread from the bag.

No way, Theo said, his stomach suddenly grumbling. Bread? Where did you get bread?

Aarok laughed. I pull out Karatan butter, and you drool over the bread? I cant believe Im going to say this, but I can show you how to mill [Zee Kernels] and make bread. Ill instruct an alchemist on something.

Id really appreciate it, Theo said. So, why dont the farmers mill it themselves?

They did a while back, Tresk said, shrugging. No idea why they stopped.

Because townsfolk wont pay premium prices for bread, Luras said. They had to use querns to mill it by handcant keep Karatans this far south.

What the heck is a quern? Theo asked.

Two big slabs of rock that crush the grain, Luras said, shrugging. I worked the farm for a few summers when I was a kid.

Aarok placed the pan on the coals, satisfied that the fire had died down enough. He put a bit of the butter in, the group watching as it danced across the surface. It sizzled and filled the room with a nutty aroma that sent Theos stomach growling louder. The group watched without speaking as the Half-Ogre produced four fat wolf steaks from his dimensional bag, setting them on a wooden cutting board and pulling a smaller bag out. He sprinkled something on top of the steaks.

Salt! Tresk shouted. Who are you, Aarok?

Aarok couldnt help but laugh. Just a Half-Ogre who likes his wolf steaks.

Theo hadnt considered a lot of things about his new world, but the availability of spices suddenly became high on his list of things he needed to know about. Even the soup he made in his house was bland when compared to the foods on Earth before the fall. The scent of the four steaks cooking in the pan made him realize how flavorless his food had been. The group sat, hushed and listening to the sizzling meat, while they awaited their meal.

This is a meal for celebration, Luras said, nodding to himself. For all weve accomplished.

It pays to have an alchemist, I guess, Tresk said.

Theo still wasnt certain about that idea. Any old alchemist wouldnt have accomplished what he had. The gifts given by the Harbinger were the defining factor, putting him in a tier of master alchemists in faraway cities. He was overpowered by every measure. He could produce more potions than a low-level alchemist, and the potions he created were more powerful.

There might be consequences for my skills, Theo said.

Luras cast him a knowing look, nodding in agreement.

My lifes savings, Luras said, shrugging. To give up the adventuring life and start a leatherworkers shop.

You made these, didnt you? Theo said, gesturing at his moccasins.

I did, Luras said. Not with the power of a skill, though. The items Id make with this core would be a lot more powerful.

Luras had done more for Theo than he could ever repay. The Half-Ogre dropped everything to help the alchemist, even if there was money involved that was a powerful thing. He summoned his administrator map of Broken Tusk without hesitation, finding a large plot of land next to Pergs tannery.

[Broken Tusk Parcel #52] can be purchased for 10 silver coins.

Buy Parcel? [YES/NO]

Theo bought it without hesitation, mentally transferring ownership to his friend.

[Broken Tusk Parcel #52] has been transferred to [Luras Trinner].

Luras narrowed his eyes at Theo. Theo You didnt have to do that.

I wanted to, Theo said, smiling. Ill buy you a core seed, too. Enough to get you started.

Luras was moved, even if his stony expression wouldnt show it. He placed his hand on the alchemists shoulder and nodded.

Its not free, Theo said, scoffing. In case you forgot, my Tarahek is a rogue. She needs gear.

Luras laughed, unable to find the words to thank his companion. They left the shop, heading out into the darkness to inspect the new parcel. Theo couldnt remember if hed been out in town after nightfall, but it was lovely. A pale yellow moon hung overhead, almost full and illuminating their path. They found the parcel next to Pergs tannery and walked the length of it. Like most parcels on the southern-side of the town, it was massive.

The pair returned to the main road, finding an adventurer performing his nightly patrols. He held a lantern high and greeted them before moving on. The sight was comforting, mostly because of the baying of wolves outside of the walls. Theo gestured for Luras to follow him and they found their way to the western gate, ascending the battlements and looking out over the swamp.

Thats a dangerous place at night, Luras said, shaking his head.

Theo didnt need him to say that to understand. Quadrupedal figures danced in the distance, darting between shadows and lying in wait. The alchemist wanted nothing to do with the life people led outside of the walls, preferring a solid curtain of stone between him and the horrors of the dungeon-spawned things. He couldnt understand Tresks lust for adventure, but reserved himself to that fact. She did her thing, and he did his.

Steak Need more steak. Stop hogging! Mine! Tresks voice came into his mind.

Theo laughed. So, Tresk and I normally sleep at the same time so this hasnt happened yet. Shes projecting her dreams into my mind.

I didnt know that was a thing, Luras said, narrowing his eyes on the swamp. Thats a big one. Looks like theyre hunting. Whats she dreaming about?

Steak, Theo said, squinting to get a better look through the gloom.

A cloud moved out from over the moon, bathing the swamp in its light. Theo spotted the massive form of a wolf dart between trees. It coiled on the spot and made a run for the wall, sloshing through the mud and leaping against the stone. His jump fell short, only making it about a quarter of the way up the wall. The alchemist still fell back, startled. Do they normally do that?

The big, mean ones do, Luras said. Maybe hes testing it. We might have to put a special bounty out on him.

The wolf growled at the base of the wall, baring its teeth up at the pair before slinking off. Once Theo got a better look at it, he saw how large it really was. It was twice the size of a normal wolf and foaming at the mouth, snapping at the air even as it joined back with the shadows of the marsh.

Now Im going to have trouble sleeping, Theo said, scoffing. That thing was as big as a cow.

Whats a cow?

I guess theyre like Karatans, Theo said. He didnt know what a Karatan looked like, only that they tasted delicious.

Yeah, maybe smaller. The wolves have a lot fewer legs, anyway, Luras said.

Theo didnt want to know if he was joking or not, and left it at that. They dismounted the battlements and walked around town for a little while longer. Lights extinguished from peoples windows, signaling the towns slumber in full. The alchemist bid Luras farewell at the square and made his way back to the shop, tiredness finally setting in. The [Lesser Stamina Potion] did wonders to perk him up earlier in the day, but his stamina bar was finally draining past half-empty. He crept into the shop, locking the door behind him and ascending the stairs to the bedroom.

As he settled down in his bed, he heard Tresk snort loudly.

More steak, please, she said.

Theo drifted off, eager to take part in the dream-steak.