Chapter 31: Buen Provecho

We work together to ferry the citizens back to the Bonny in small groups. With the demons at their door, we can hardly expect them to stay there any longer. We start with the elderly, the sick and the children first, helping them get on board. Some of their wounds are hard to even look at. As I help an ancient wrinkled woman onto the ship, she pinches my cheek, making me feel like a little kid again. Her kind eyes inspire me to keep my head up.

Getting a closer look at these folks, they all seem to be in relatively good spirits, despite their situation. Many of them have words of praise for me for how I handled the wolves, but as always I’m much too awkward to know how to accept it. We get everyone loaded up in about an hour with no more sightings from the demons luckily, but the ship is sinkinging low in the water from the added weight. Read and Guille call us together to discuss our next steps.

“We need to get these folks somewhere safe. Any ideas?” The captain asks.

There’s a long pause as everyone thinks on the problem. We need a place that the demons cant get to easily, defensible, preferably with fresh water.

Cecilia claps her hands together. “I’ve got it! Guabancex! It’s holy ground, it has a well, and it’s certainly big enough!”

Guille sees the confused looks of us non-natives and explains. “Guabancex is an islet just a bit further west of here. It’s home to the last temple of Juracán, the wind goddess. Demons won't be able to set foot there.”

Satisfied with the solution, we set sail for the small island. The pale moonlight washes over the faces of our passengers as they mill about the ship. I silently watch them as Rina comes up to me.

“I need your help.” She says tugging at my arm. I follow her down below deck to the mess hall. I’m immediately met with a delicious savory aroma. Several large pots are bubbling away as the cook prepares some vegetables.

“I figured these people probably haven't had a hot meal in a while. We’re emptying our larder to make them something. Start cutting up the meat.” She orders, pointing to a few huge hunks of pork and beef on the counter.

I oblige, making quick work of the task. We sear off the meat in a large wok with some dried ginger, garlic and chilis, then add the vegetables, per Rina’s instruction. The mage uses her magic to control the flames for a perfect sear. She prepares a thick gravy with the fat and some spices before finishing up the huge pots of aromatic rice. By the time we finish, the mouth watering smell finds its way up to the deck. Some of the smaller children pop their heads into the kitchen, eyes wide and mouths drooling.

Rina goes over to them and pats them gently on the head.

“Dinner is ready little ones. Go wait upstairs and we’ll bring you a bowl.” She says with a kind smile.

Over the next hour, Kizzik, Camilla and I become part time waiters, rushing back and forth from kitchen to deck with bowls of delicious curry. The Borikanos graciously chow down, telling us how amazing the flavors are. Camilla helps feed the ones that can’t feed themselves. My eyes well up with tears a little as I watch starving children eat for what must be the first time in days. I have to compose myself or risk breaking down in

tears right then and there.

A short older man calls me over and I’m thankful for the distraction. “I’ve never had something quite like this! The flavors are so complex and the spice is just right! It warms my soul! Will you give me the recipe?”

Rina appears behind me to answer him “It’s an elvish recipe. I’d be happy to share it with you. Provecho.” She says.

We make sure everyone gets at least a serving before we eat. I am overwhelmed by how good the food is. It reminds me of Indian flavors but it's really its own thing altogether.

“Rina! This is the best thing I’ve tasted!” I exclaim.

She plays it cool as per usual but I’m pretty sure I see her smile just the tiniest bit. Once we’ve all been fed, I get started on the dishes. Oso, the guard captain joins me in the work. We chat for a bit, getting to know each other. He tells me he grew up in the north of Borikan on a chicken farm. He joined the guards at a young age to get away from that boring life.

“I must say, I feel foolish now for taking that peace for granted.” He says sadly.

I shake my head. “We all want adventure when we’re young. Believe me, it’s better that you followed your dreams. Your people wouldn’t have survived without you.”

“Thank you for saying that. I just wish I could’ve done more.”

Silence overtakes us for a moment as we wash out the bowls. I can tell he’s holding things inside. Things that need to be said but he’s afraid to relive.

“I’m sure it was a terrifying experience. It’s easy to keep your feet moving during the crisis but afterward…” I trail off.

More silence… and then,

“They lured children out of their homes, using the parents as bait.” He says.

The words hang heavy in the air like a miasma.

“The winged demons dragged screaming people high into the sky and just… let go. I saw it all.”

His hands start to shake as he remembers. I grab a dish from him. Speaking gently as I work.

“The easiest way to control someone is with fear. It regresses us, makes us predictable.”

Oso nods. “We can’t let it get the better of us. Thank you for allowing me to share. It can be… overwhelming at times.”

The sun starts to peak up from the sea as we reach Guabancex. Most of the Borikanos are asleep when we make land. My party and I help rouse them to their feet as the crew lowers the walking plank to the beach. Our passengers shuffle off one at a time, yawning and stretching. The small island is quite flat, with a tiny forested area in the center. We join everyone on land and walk over to the temple in the distance. It's a large complex made up of several squat stone buildings. In the center is a multi-tiered pyramid that towers over the rest of the structures. The design is similar to the mayan temples I’ve seen in history books.

Everyone gets to work setting up camp. We help erect some tents, set up cots, using supplies from the ship. There are a number of sick and injured citizens that we bring to one of the larger buildings to rest and be treated. Unfortunately, we sent our ship doctor and our remaining medicine away with the prince. The party comes together near the pyramid after everyone is settled.

“We need more supplies.” Camilla says. “Clean bandages, potions for fever, not to mention more food.”

“There are storehouses on the main island, at the southern docks, with all of those things. Getting to them is the problem. The demons are likely laying in wait to kill anyone desperate enough to seek out food there.” Oso grumbles, annoyed at the predicament.

“We can head there next, us folks from Dusud I mean. The rest of you can relax. My blades are quite thirsty since Kenji went and stole all the action last time.” Kizzik says.

The guard captain tries to protest but we quickly shut him down, telling him that he and his men need to stay and protect the island. He finally gives up and allows us to go alone. We say our goodbyes to Guille and his wife.

“Look after each other. We’ll be back soon!” I say to them.

Our party reboards the ship, the adrenaline already pumping through our veins. After seeing up close what’s happened to Borikan, to its people, we’re all itching to dish out some pain to the demon army. Kizzik’s bloodlust is leaking out like crazy and Rina is literally on fire. Camilla grabs the railing so hard that it cracks under the pressure.

“Now then, lets go pay these bastards a little visit.” She growls.