Better Than Ship Biscuits

"Haaah…"

I let out a long sigh as I dig through the slowly burning branches of our firepit. With the sun now long gone, this small flame is the only source of light in our little forest clearing.

"What to do with this kid…"

Now that I've had the time to calm down from all of the events today, I think back to the battle with the demons. Bernard and Katherine were able to dispose of the second demon without too much work. A deep gash across the chest would have been sufficient for Leon as well, but he chose to take it further. It was almost as if he was intent on inflicting torture rather than just death.

When I look up from the fire, I see the young hero a little ways away from the rest of us. He sits in almost complete darkness eating an apple and some hard bread.

"You lot…"

Even the other two are sitting in complete silence. Bernard sat with me at the beginning, probably because of his usual consideration. Katherine was sitting off to the side as well, but the cold night pushed her closer and closer to the fire. Even as she got to a spot directly next to Bernard, the two have not spoken at all and partake in their own individual rations.

"Do you all not get along or something?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Just look at you all! Not even sitting by the same fire, eating something different! Only people with a rotten rapport act so detached!"

Bernard looks at Katherine, who has since reopened her book, as well as Leon off in the distance. When he turns back to me, he shrugs.

"We get along perfectly well. In battle, we can coordinate without any issues."

"In battle maybe! But this is supper! We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves before we have to start work again!"

These city kids just don't get it. They may always be filled with satisfaction and glory from their fighting, but they underestimate the value of a simple meal with other people. That feeling of community is something you can't buy.

"Alright! Everybody stop what you're doing!"

Any bugs or wild animals coexisting with us all retreat into the darkness after I shout. Thankfully, my voice was loud enough to reach all three of our heroes.

"Get over here! It's time for supper!"

The fire has reached a desired level, perfect for placing a stand and pot of water just above it. From my large backpack, I unload a sack of barley grains as well as a slab of salt pork that I had sat in water a few hours prior. Once the water has begun to bubble, I place inside the grains and allow them to cook well.

"With all this fighting, you need a big meal to get yourselves ready! You get over here too or no meat for you!"

I try calling out to Leon off in the distance. The young hero is obviously tempted by how he doesn't immediately turn away, but he manages to keep himself firmly in place. We'll see how he feels after the meat starts roasting. Meanwhile, the pot has the complete undivided attention of a certain girl in purple robes.

After a quick stir of the pot, I thrust the spoon directly in front of her nose.

"Say, where are you from?"

"Me?"

"Who else am I pointing at?"

She looks away and casts half of her face in shadows. If she were still wearing that oversized hat right now, I doubt I would see any of it.

"The Kingdom of the Coast…"

"Where is that?"

"Huh!?"

Katherine throws me an irritated frown. I swear, the weirdest things set this girl off.

"How do you not know of The Coast!? It was the last human stronghold in the war with demons 200 years ago!"

"The stories don't mention it as far as I know."

"This is HISTORY! Every child at least learns that much!"

It's only in moments like these where she comes to life.

She continues to yell at my lack of knowledge as I drain water from the pot. Transferring the barley to a bowl, I start mixing egg yolks and milk and set it in the pot to slowly heat. It was fortunate that the village was so close, otherwise we would be eating rather plain food as I get lectured about something related to castles and cities.

"Then, we had the demons fleeing and finally broke the siege!"

"Interesting, interesting…"

"As the only place with little damage, The Coast has the best collection of information and magic of anywhere else!"

The lecture continues on, talking about 'academies' and 'universities' and the like. My brain doesn't even register these words as real, so I just nod and let the girl talk. This whole process gives me time to mix in the barley and allow it to soak the milk and eggs.

"So that's how you got to doing all this magic stuff?"

"Of course! I recently graduated from the academy where the greatest modern wizards all came from."

"Wow, you're really something!"

With the grains complete, I set up to allow for the pork to roast above the flames.

"So how did you end up in this city?"

"That's…"

Her energy seems to drop. Katherine was so excited to talk about her hometown and its features, but now the light is on her. People from such fantastic places don't often find themselves doing this kind of dirty work. With such a record and skill in magic, she should be living high in the halls of nobility.

I pour some of the leftover milk into a cup and pass it to her. She takes a few sips once wrapped tightly within her own robes, eyes cast downwards.

"Wizards are not highly sought after by nobility. Those not sufficient to perform research are left to die as adventurers. Magic is powerful for killing monsters, but it only takes one wrong step for it all to go to waste."

Her bangs obscure parts of her face in shadows. She wistfully watches the flames dance back and forth beneath the blackening meat.

"That's why I'm here."

Whatever strength she has in those slender fingers are released onto the wooden cup. Those eyes haven't given up, far from it.

"I will help slay a Demon Lord and return in triumph! Never again will I be seen as a mediocre wizard!"

"Now, that's the spirit!"

"Huh!?"

Katherine nearly drops her cup when I bang my spoon against the side of the pot.

"Oh, to be young! Well, even if I was your age, I would have just given up. You've got fight, girl! I'm sure you'll do something big one of these days!"

Procuring a wooden bowl, I scoop a large helping of thick porridge and pass it to the wizard across the flame.

"So eat! I don't know how all this magic stuff works, but it can't be easy on an empty stomach!"

"T-Thank you…"

"You too, Mr. Knight-to-be. I know for a fact that food is good for you!"

I pass the quiet Bernard a well-filled bowl as well. He takes it with a quiet thanks, leaving only one more.

"Get over here! I still have plenty left!"

No response. However, I have only just gotten started.

"Say, kid. When was the last time you had a good bit of seared meat? Not that boiled stuff, roasted!"

Removing the stake from the holder, a piece of meat big enough to feed a family allows its aroma to take over our little camp. I know that it reaches him. After all, you can only be so restless before you start fidgeting in place. Make sure to hide your salivation if you're trying to look tough next time.

"Surely you've grown tired of ship biscuits by now? If you don't grab some now, the rest of us will finish it without you!"

With a knife, I start digging into the freshly cooked meat. I make markings for three massive slices and begin slowly making incisions. Piercing it even slightly releases another helping of that savory smell.

"Alright, who wants the piece with the most fat? Look, it's literally melting off!"

"I'll have it!"

"Alright, one for the miss with the big hat!"

I wave the knife through the air looking dramatically around at the gathering.

"Do I hear requests on my right? How about you big guy? I have a really tender third with your name on it!"

"If you insist, then I shall take you up on your offer."

"Very good! You're still growing, so best eat as much as you can get!"

I'm ready to push down and divide the pieces. That is, until a bit of movement reaches my fading peripherals. Of course, I never intended to put a single dent in this pork until he made his appearance.

"I'll…take a piece…"

When I look up from my seat, I see the young hero's face. Half is blocked as he neglects to make eye contact, but he's now here. It took a lot, but the whole group is finally sitting together by the fire. That alone makes me break into a smile.

"Alright! One juicy piece for the young man right here!"