The clearing has taken on a festive atmosphere. High elves move between the newly built barracks, carrying supplies and arranging their living spaces. Some are gathered in small groups, talking and laughing with an energy that feels more relaxed than before. The reverent formality from when they first arrived has started to ease into something more comfortable.
I turn my attention to the monsters Donny brought back. There's a lot, and butchering it normally will take time, so I'll use Alchemy and Crafting to speed things up.
I activate Alchemy to remove the blood, storing them away. These can be used as fertilizer for the new field later. Then I use Crafting to help with the butchering process.
The Steelhide Warboar is massive—easily the size of a small car. Its hide lives up to its name, gleaming with a metallic sheen that makes it look more like armor than skin. I carefully slice through the joints where the hide is thinnest, separating it from the meat beneath. The flesh is dark red and marbled with fat, perfect for grilling.
The Manahide Hares are next. Smaller, but their muscles are incredibly dense. I skin them quickly, setting aside the pelts. The meat underneath is lean and firm.
Finally, the Skytalon Griffin. Its golden feathers shimmer even in the fading light. I pluck them carefully, putting them into Storage as well, and begin breaking down the body. The meat is pale and tender, almost like premium poultry but with a richer color.
I'm in the middle of portioning the griffin when Eldrin approaches, his expression warm.
[Eldrin] "The barracks are wonderful. Everyone is settling in comfortably. Thank you again for your generosity."
[Wright] "I'm glad they're working out."
[Eldrin] "Is there anything we can help with to prepare for the bar-be-que?"
I wipe my hands on a cloth and look at the prepared meat.
[Wright] "Actually, I'm trying to figure out the setup. For a proper barbecue, I need to grill the meat over an open fire—but with controlled heat. That means I'll need some kind of metal grate to hold the meat above the flames."
Eldrin listens thoughtfully. His face brightens immediately.
[Eldrin] "Ah, Kara can handle that easily. Once she understands what you need, she'll have it built in no time."
[Wright] "That would be perfect."
I glance at the meat, then back at Eldrin.
[Wright] "There's also the seasoning to think about. I have Spiceleaf, but for barbecue, salt is really important. It brings out the natural flavors of the meat."
[Eldrin] "Salt? We have plenty. We gathered it from salt deposits near our settlement before we left."
[Wright] "Salt deposits?"
[Eldrin] "Yes. There's a section of exposed rock with crystalline salt formations. We chip it off and grind it down. It's common in forested areas near ancient seabeds."
Huh. Natural rock salt. Noted for future reference.
[Wright] "That'll work. Thanks."
[Eldrin] "Of course. Are we just having meat?"
[Wright] "No, I'm thinking the meal shouldn't be all meat. What do high elves usually eat? I'd love to try traditional elven cuisine."
Eldrin pauses, thinking.
[Eldrin] "We have several. There's Greenweave Stew—a thick soup made with root vegetables and forest herbs. Then there's Emberbread, a flatbread baked over hot stones. We also make Dewleaf Wraps, which are fresh vegetables wrapped in large edible leaves and drizzled with nut oil."
He continues.
[Eldrin] "And there's Honeyed Grain, a dish where we cook grains with wild honey and dried fruit. It's often served at celebrations."
I think it over. Stew feels too heavy for a barbecue. Emberbread could work, but I'd need more time to prepare dough. Dewleaf Wraps sound refreshing, but I'm not sure I have the right leaves.
Honeyed Grain, though... that could pair well with grilled meat. Sweet and savory.
[Wright] "Do you have the ingredients for Honeyed Grain?"
[Eldrin] "We do. We brought grains and preserved honey with us. I can have someone fetch them."
[Wright] "That'd be great. I'll also make a salad with Spiceleaf and Sunfall Fruit to keep things light."
Eldrin nods approvingly.
[Eldrin] "A balanced meal. I'll inform Kara about the grill and have the ingredients brought to you."
[Wright] "Thanks, Eldrin."
He bows slightly and heads off.
—
Within minutes, Kara appears with a group of assistants, hauling metal rods and flat sheets.
[Kara] "I heard you need a grilling station. Describe what you want, and I'll build it."
I explain the concept—a metal frame to hold grates over a fire pit, adjustable height for heat control, sturdy enough to support heavy cuts of meat.
Kara listens intently, nodding along. Then she gets to work.
Her hands move with incredible speed and precision. She shapes the metal with tools I don't even recognize, bending and welding it into place with a combination of craftsmanship, Crafting, and magic. Sparks fly as she hammers out the grates, creating a grid pattern that's both functional and elegant.
I leave the professionals to their work and turn my attention back to the ingredients.
A high elf approaches carrying a small sack, a clay jar, and a small pouch.
[High Elf Villager] "Eldrin sent these. Grains, honey, and dried berries and nuts for the dish."
[Wright] "Perfect. Thanks."
I take the items and activate Appraisal.
—
[Appraisal]
Silverwheat
A nutritious grain native to elven forests. Light and slightly sweet when cooked, with a delicate texture. Pairs well with honey and fruit.
[Appraisal]
Wildflower Honey
Honey gathered from forest wildflowers by Frost Bees. Golden and fragrant with subtle floral notes. Naturally sweet with a smooth texture.
[Appraisal]
Forest Berry & Nut Mix (Made by High Elves)
A blend of dried forest berries and roasted nuts commonly used in elven cuisine. The berries are tart and sweet, while the nuts add a pleasant crunch and earthy flavor. Provides texture and depth to grain dishes.
—
Good. This'll work.
I set up my workspace near the barracks. Sylphaeris drifts over, her presence a gentle breeze.
[Sylphaeris] "Need a hand?"
[Wright] "Actually, yeah. Can you help with the salad?"
[Sylphaeris] "Of course."
I hand her the Spiceleaf and Sunfall Fruit. She gets to work immediately, washing and tearing the leaves into bite-sized pieces, then slicing the fruit with wind magic so precise it's like watching a master chef with an invisible knife.
Donny waddles over, churring curiously.
[Wright] "Want to help too, buddy?"
He churrs enthusiastically.
[Wright] "Alright. Can you gather some firewood? We'll need a lot for the grill."
I have quite a lot of trunks already from clearing the fields, but I just can't say no to Donny's enthusiasm.
Donny toddles off toward the forest and returns moments later with an entire tree trunk in his mouth.
I stare.
[Wright] "That's... a bit much, but it works."
I use Wind magic to chop the wood into manageable pieces and finish just as Kara steps back from her work.
[Kara] "Done."
I turn to look at the grilling station. It's perfect—sturdy iron frame, adjustable grates, even a side shelf for holding utensils.
[Wright] "This is amazing. Thank you."
Kara grins and begins to help me arrange the wood in the fire pit beneath the grill. A quick application of Fire Magic, and the flames roar to life.
The high elves gather around, watching with open curiosity. Some offer to help, and I gladly accept.
Liora takes charge of the Honeyed Grain, cooking the Silverwheat in a large pot over a smaller fire. She stirs it carefully, adding honey in stages until the grains are glossy and fragrant. Then she folds in dried berries and nuts, the mixture filling the air with a sweet, warm scent.
Nym approaches the grill, observing the flames carefully.
[Nym] "You need help regulating the temperature?"
[Wright] "Actually, yeah. I need the heat steady—not too high or the meat will char on the outside before cooking through. Can you keep the flames at about this level?"
I gesture at the current flame height.
[Nym] "Understood. Consistent heat, no flare-ups."
She focuses, and the flames respond to her magic with precision. They dance and flicker but maintain the exact intensity I need, rising when the temperature dips and settling when it climbs too high.
[Wright] "Perfect. Just like that."
Kara sets up a makeshift prep table, and several high elves join in to help season the meat. I show them how to rub the salt and Spiceleaf into the cuts, making sure every piece is well-coated.
Rhevan brings out wooden skewers he carved himself, perfect for the smaller cuts.
I notice a messy-haired high elf standing off to the side, just watching everyone work with lazy fascination.
[Wright] "Hey, want to help out?"
She blinks at me, surprised to be called on.
[Vesper] "Me? I'm not really good at cooking..."
[Wright] "That's fine. Just need someone to keep an eye on the skewers and rotate them when I say so. Think you can handle that?"
She considers this for a moment, then shrugs.
[Vesper] "I guess I can do that."
[Wright] "Perfect. Come over here."
She shuffles over to the grill, and I show her how to turn the skewers without burning herself. She nods along, looking more engaged now that she has something specific to do.
Once everything is prepped, I place the meat on the grill.
The sizzle is immediate and satisfying. Fat drips onto the flames, sending up bursts of smoke and filling the clearing with the rich, savory aroma of cooking meat. The Warboar steaks char beautifully, the Manahide Hare skewers turn golden brown, and the Griffin cuts develop a delicate crust.
I flip the meat carefully, checking for doneness. The high elves watch in silence, utterly captivated.
[Wright] "Hey, rotate those skewers for me."
The messy-haired elf jumps slightly, then carefully turns each skewer a quarter turn. The hares begin to develop an even golden-brown color.
[Vesper] "Like this?"
[Wright] "Perfect. Keep doing that every few minutes."
She nods, looking oddly proud of herself.
Sylphaeris finishes the salad, arranging it on a large wooden platter. The Spiceleaf and Sunfall Fruit glisten with a light drizzle of oil she scavenged from somewhere.
Liora brings over the Honeyed Grain, still steaming in its pot. Looks delicious.
Finally, the meat is done.
I plate everything and step back.
[Wright] "Alright, everyone. Let's eat."
—
The feast begins.
High elves gather around the spread, filling their plates with grilled meat, salad, and Honeyed Grain. The first bites are met with stunned silence, then a wave of delighted murmurs.
[High Elf Villager] "This is incredible."
[Liora] "The meat is so tender."
[Nym] "I've never tasted anything like this."
[Rhevan] "The seasoning is perfect."
I grab a plate for myself and sit down near the fire with Eldrin, Sylphaeris, and a few others. Donny is nearby, happily munching on a massive chunk of Warboar meat I set aside for him.
The grilled Griffin is just as good as the Appraisal suggested—tender, flavorful, with a richness that's hard to describe. I take a bite of the Warboar next. The char on the outside gives way to juicy, perfectly seasoned meat that practically melts in my mouth.
I try the Honeyed Grain next. The Silverwheat has a light, almost delicate sweetness that pairs surprisingly well with the honey and dried berries. The nuts add a satisfying crunch. It's comforting in a way I didn't expect, and balances out the savory meat perfectly.
[Eldrin] "This barbecue of yours is remarkable. We've grilled meat before, but never like this."
[Wright] "It's about controlling the heat and letting the smoke do its work. Low and slow makes all the difference."
Sylphaeris takes a delicate bite of the Griffin and closes her eyes.
[Sylphaeris] "Mmm. You keep surprising me with new tastes."
Liora approaches with her plate and sits down on a nearby log.
[Liora] "The Honeyed Grain turned out well, I think. Though I have to admit, it's the meat that truly shines."
[Wright] "You did great with the grain. It's the perfect balance to all the savory."
She smiles, looking pleased.
The messy-haired elf plops down next to us, her plate piled high with meat skewers.
[Vesper] "I helped make these!"
She holds up a skewer proudly.
[Wright] "You did good work. They came out perfect."
She beams and takes a huge bite, chewing happily.
[Sylphaeris] "You've been staring at the barracks all evening. Impressed?"
[Vesper] "Very. I want to study how he built them so fast."
She takes another bite.
[Vesper] "After I finish eating. And maybe nap."
[Wright] "Priorities."
[Vesper] "Exactly."
Nym walks over, plate in hand, and sits across from us.
[Nym] "I need to ask—where did you learn this technique? The temperature control, the timing... it's precise."
[Wright] "Manga, mostly. Cooking manga."
She blinks.
[Nym] "Manga?"
[Wright] "Picture books. Stories. Some of them are about cooking."
[Nym] "You learned this from... picture books?"
[Wright] "Yeah. They're pretty detailed."
She stares at me for a long moment.
[Nym] "You're telling me this divine technique came from... children's books?"
[Wright] "I mean, they're not really for children, but sure."
She looks at me like she's trying to figure out if I'm joking, then shakes her head and takes another bite.
[Nym] "Well, whatever they are, they taught you well."
[Eldrin] "Perhaps we should acquire some of these 'manga' for our library."
[Wright] "Good luck finding them. I don't think they exist in this world."
[Eldrin] "Ah. That's... unfortunate."
Rhevan appears with a second helping, grinning.
[Rhevan] "My hunters are already asking if we can do this again. They've never had monster meat taste this good."
[Wright] "Anytime Donny brings back a good haul, we'll make it happen."
I pause, glancing at Donny who's still contentedly working on his Warboar chunk.
[Wright] "Actually, speaking of which—think Donny could join up with your hunting group? He's pretty good at tracking down monsters."
Rhevan looks at Donny, then back at me with an expression somewhere between awe and disbelief.
[Rhevan] "The Forest King... hunting with us?"
[Wright] "I mean, if you're okay with it. He likes helping out."
Donny churrs at the mention of his name, tail wagging slightly.
[Rhevan] "It would be... the greatest honor our hunters could receive."
[Wright] "Great. Just don't let him bring back entire trees as firewood again. We don't need that much."
Rhevan laughs, though he still looks a bit starstruck.
The conversation flows easily. The night continues with more food, more laughter, and the warmth of the fire keeping the chill at bay. Someone starts telling a story about a hunting mishap, and soon others join in with their own tales. The clearing fills with the sound of voices and crackling flames.
I look around at everyone. They're relaxed, smiling, enjoying the meal and each other's company. The formal atmosphere from when they first arrived has melted away into something warmer.
I lean back against the log, plate balanced on my lap, and listen to the stories being shared around the fire.