A SURPRISE MEAL

Early the following day, I woke up before any of the men. 

I got down from the carriage and saw that they were all asleep. 

When I walked up ahead towards the green forest we had found our way through, I saw the men keeping watch by the trees. 

It had not been on purpose, but they were asleep. 

I couldn't find Xaden in sight. 

Maybe he slept elsewhere. 

I hurried through the forests and searched for mushrooms and spices. 

Once I found them, I put them in the little bag Xaden gave me last night's food. 

I was careful not to pick the dangerous mushrooms.

Back home in the pack, Urma, a healer, had shown me how to pick mushrooms and spices and differentiate them from poisonous ones. 

Also, I had been cooking in the kitchen and knew how to make meals. 

I looked for other ingredients, like pepper and onions. 

It was a vibrant forest; you would think someone farmed it while growing in the wild. 

When I returned, I quietly skinned the pig's cousin and opened the stomach, cleaning it and washing it all out.

Then, I mixed the spices and rubbed them into and around the meat. 

I set it aside and tried to revive the fire. 

When it had come back up, I put a stick through the meat and set it over the fire. 

As the meat cooked on a slow heat, I turned to a large can the men had used to boil water last night and used it to make some gravy. 

It smelt delicious. 

I mixed some cheese with the meat and then added rosemary and herbs. 

It seemed to be cooking well. 

I tasted the gravy that had been cooking on the other fire, which tasted lovely. 

I used a small can to collect the oil and sauce seeping from the meat and pour them into the gravy can. 

Then I went back to taste it. 

It was perfect.

I would have made something better if I were back home in the pack. 

As I watched over the almost-done meal, I felt someone grab the back of my dress and pull me up.

I was hurled around and made to face a very angry Xaden.