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Salt and Blood - Chapter 73
🕑 Added 2024-11-13 17:12:43 +0000 UTC<< Chapter 72 | Table of Contents | Chapter 74 >>
1.73 - The Radiant Wall
Pirates are the rotten scum of this world. Polluting the seas with their vile breath, ways of ill-repute, and villainous deeds. I will not rest until I’ve wiped every last blasted buccaneer from the beautiful oceans.
-Quoted from Prince Terrath of Dawncrest
“That evil woman!” cried Felix as he burst into Rose’s cabin and rushed towards her. “What was she thinking, throwing you at a ship full of bloodthirsty pirates by yourself?” he added, crashing into her and knocking them both back onto the bed.
He hurriedly patted her to check if she was wounded, but seeing that there were only a few minor cuts and bruises he sighed and stood up. She fixed him with an amused glare and he froze.
“Was that really necessary, Felix?” she questioned, getting back to her feet and fixing her crumpled shirt. “I’m fine. In fact, I feel incredible. Don’t blame Yasmin, I needed that.”
“What? Are you sure you’re alright?” he muttered, staring into her eyes before walking over and rapping his knuckles on her head.
Rose slapped his hand away and giggled. A warmth spread from her tummy. She was glad that he cared about her so much but he really was like her mother, fussing over every little bit of danger.
She took a step forwards when her tummy rumbled like thunder, making her pause and blush. Felix burst into laughter before saying, “You’re such a glutton. Good thing Nasar just made lunch.”
***
Trent stood at the wheel, his posture steady as the wind buffeted his hair gently. He turned to Rose and smiled warmly. “I can say that nothing I’ve ever encountered comes close to the majestic natural beauty of the Radiant Wall. And I’ve sailed through seven oceans,” he exclaimed, more excited than she’d ever seen him.
For the last two days he’d been going on and on about his home, the Sunblessed Sea. Supposedly there was a natural phenomenon that surrounded the entire sea.
Only at the right time of day would you be able to witness its hidden beauty and he’d managed to time their voyage such that Liberty would pass the Radiant Wall at the perfect moment. To Rose, even the everyday views they’d seen on their adventure were a marvel. She was sure he was exaggerating.
Nasar served lunch on the deck. Trent fixed the wheel and they all sat together—a rare occasion. The skinny chef had gone all out today.
He’d laid out two blankets, soft as a cloud, to cover the wooden planks and give them a comfier seat. Atop them, dozens of dishes were laid out, every single one a feast for the eyes and a tantalising delight for her senses.
Aromas mixed in the air, forcing her to unravel them and guess which of the delicacies was calling to her. Rose wouldn’t stop eating until she’d tried everything at least once… or twice.
At last, the final dish was served. Nasar placed a huge bowl of steaming rice in the centre of the blankets. Small flecks of green and ruby-red could be seen in the rice. Even with the array of fish, meats, vegetables, and more laid out before her, Rose took up her plate and reached for the rice first.
Seeing that, Nasar smiled and sat down to watch as the rest of the crew grabbed their own plates and started a mad scramble to fill them with as much food as they could. Forks flew. Felix and Trent clashed utensils more than once while aiming for the same dish.
For now, Rose only had a portion of rice on her plate. She raised it to her face and closed her eyes. Then she inhaled deeply through her nose, letting the steamy scents wash over her in a wave of herby bliss.
The puffy rice itself was cooked to perfection, a delicate starchy scent that underpinned the cocktail of aromas and made her mouth water. Next came an almost medicinal aroma, a new kind of herb that Nasar hadn’t used before—or had hidden among other flavours.
Difficult to pick from the rest was a light and crisp smell, a soft tang of fruit. She guessed it was the ruby-red pips mixed in with the grains of rice.
Opening her eyes, she wiped a little stream of drool from the corner of her mouth. Looking up she saw everyone digging in with gusto, eyes shining with joy and jaws moving at full speed to stuff as much of Nasar’s delights in as they could.
She’d not taken her first bite yet, but she caught Nasar staring at her with the biggest smile she’d ever seen on the man. Under his watchful gaze, she lifted a spoonful of rice to her mouth and began to eat.
Simple food was often the most satisfying. She’d been raised on a diet of mostly fish and potatoes, but her mother had a magic touch that made it one of the most delicious meals in the world.
There was nothing that could quite replicate a mother’s love, but Nasar had a way with food that came infinitely close. The soft rice was just warm enough and she felt as though she was chewing on pillows.
The herbs were a little sharp, but elevated the simple bite to a new level. The little ruby pips were like hidden treasures among the rice. Each time she bit into one it burst in a sweet explosion that cut through the herby tang and made her moan in delight.
“Rose, you truly are my favourite,” Nasar happily sighed. “These brutes tear through my hours of effort without taking time to truly appreciate the painstaking combinations of flavour. My recipes are the result of decades of cooking. It warms my heart to finally have an understanding audience.”
She placed her fork on her plate and then laid it on the blanket. “I think it’s important to properly respect people’s effort,” she replied. “Besides, your food is the greatest I’ve ever tasted. I’d be a fool to waste it by rushing,” she added, smirking at the rest of the crew.
They were so busy engorging themselves that they didn’t even register her remark over the sounds of slurping and chewing. She giggled and then turned her sights to the rest of the feast.
Sizzling steaks of an unknown beast, preserved in salt from Clissolt. The meat melted on her tongue and the salt tickled her throat.
Parcels of soft dough that Nasar called dumplings, filled with a medley of vegetables and spices that warmed her very soul. Of course, she went for the grilled fish with glee.
The soft flesh came apart at the slightest pull of her fork and despite being one of the simplest foods on offer, was by far the one she enjoyed the most.
And the potatoes! Cooked in three different ways, Rose was struggling to decide which to try first. In the end she started with what she knew, spearing a roast potato with her fork and putting the whole thing in her mouth. The shell cracked as she bit down, crisp and rich. The insides were fluffy and soft, like a warm hug.
The mashed potatoes, creamy and light, weren’t quite as delightful but still a culinary masterpiece all the same. Finally, she tried the potato salad.
This was new to her, a way of cooking potatoes that didn’t exist on Emerlan Isle. The potatoes were boiled, then tossed with a creamy sauce and a mix of herbs and spices. The sharp tang of citrus cut through the cream and the delicate blend of herbs raised the taste to a new dimension.
She felt guilty admitting it, but this was even better than the roast potatoes—perhaps even tastier than her mother’s, though she’d never say that out loud. Suddenly, Trent leapt to his feet and shouted at them all to look ahead.
Felix spat out a mouthful of food, causing Nasar to cuff the back of his head. “Don’t waste food you bastard. Even if your life's on the line!” he scolded the boy with a fierce frown.
Rose vowed to always finish what he served her from that moment on. Trent raced to the bow and they followed after him. She was finally going to find out if the Radiant Wall was as marvellous as he promised.
Ahead of the ship, there was a faintly shimmering film that hung in the air, stretching infinitely outwards and encompassing everything she could see. Beyond it, the ocean looked the same, but this barrier marked the border between the Bluestone Sea and the Sunblessed Sea.
Leaving Emerlan Isle had been rather easy, but this marked a true departure from her homeland. The sea of her birth lay behind her, but she was excited for the adventures ahead.
The tip of Liberty touched the film and passed through it without resistance. More of the ship sailed through until the barrier was close enough to touch.
Rose reached out a finger and when it made contact she gasped. A radiant web of golden light exploded outwards from her touch as though it had been woven by a celestial spider.
The near divine sight lasted for a single moment, vanishing as soon as her body passed through the barrier. She spun on her feet, hoping to catch another glimpse but the thin shimmering film was barely visible from this side. A splash sounded in her ears.
Skill up!
Light Attunement 6 > 7
Trent had been understating the beauty, which was a feat in itself given how often he’d been nattering about it. She’d gained a skill level simply from witnessing the phenomenon.
Only her and Felix were wholly stunned. The rest were smiling but not quite frozen in shock. They’d likely seen it before.
Rose was about to speak when a clap of thunder roared out across the ocean. Trent vanished and she felt herself flying towards the deck of the ship as a hand shoved her from beneath.
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Comments
Ariana Q
I like writing about food... could you tell ^^
Tyler Machado
Cool.
