Chapter 4: The Fishmonger and the Merchant

The evening descended upon Ashwood like a heavy blanket, casting long shadows across the village as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky. In the humble home shared by Hadriah and Sadah, the flickering glow of a single oil lamp illuminated the small room, casting a warm and comforting light upon the worn surroundings, devoid of furniture.

Hadriah moved about the single hearth with practiced efficiency, preparing their meager dinner with care and precision. Despite the challenges they faced, she refused to let despair take hold, finding solace in the simple act of providing for her son.

"Its ready, " she called out, her voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion.

Bolstered by the wish to quell the pain in his stomach, Sadah rushed forward to accept the half broken bowl his mother had salvaged from the tavern’s dumpster a few moons ago. It was their only bowl, and thus, whenever they had food, Hadriah had always allowed her son to eat first.

Bringing the bowl of hot stew to his lips, Sadah greedily drank it down, choking on the bones that were in his meal.

“Careful,” Hadriah reached out to pat her son’s back, reaching for the bowl to give him more stew, which was more rain water than nutrient so Sadah could wash down the bone.

“No.” Sadah knew taking another bowl would leave his mother hungry, for that was all they had left in the pot. Slapping away Hadriah’s hand, he attempted to push the ladel in her had away from him. But as bad luck would have it, Sadah didn’t know his own strength.

Or maybe, he didn’t realise starvation had weakened his mother to the extend that a gentle push set her tumbling backwards into the hearth.

“Oh no.” Hadriah cried out as she looked over at the smashed pieces of pottery and the remaining stew that now seeped into the cracks on the floor.

Sadah stared at each droplet that flowed, his eyes brimmed with tears as he regretted his actions. Not knowing how to express an apology, Sadah started towards a clump of hay in the corner of their little home. Turned against the wall, he vowed tomorrow I will find something for mother to eat.

Understanding her son’s actions were one filled with remorse, Hadriah placed her chewed up shawl on on Sadah. "Sleep well, my dear," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "Tomorrow is a new day, filled with endless possibilities."

Sadah nodded sleepily, his eyelids growing heavy with exhaustion. As he drifted off into slumber, his mind wandered back to the events of the day, replaying the cruel taunts and mocking laughter that had plagued him.

In the quiet of the night, as the village slept and the world outside faded into darkness, Sadah dreamt of a brighter tomorrow, where laughter and joy would once again fill the air, and the shadows of cruelty would be banished by the light of love and compassion. And in that dream, he found solace, knowing that no matter how difficult the journey, he would never walk alone.

The next day dawned with a soft golden light filtering through the trees, casting a warm glow over the forest floor as Sadah ventured into the woods as promised. With a sense of purpose and determination, he set out on his foraging expedition, his eyes scanning the underbrush for any signs of hidden treasures.

As he wandered deeper into the forest, the familiar sights and sounds of nature enveloped him—the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, the chorus of birdsong echoing through the trees, and the earthy scent of damp moss and fallen leaves beneath his feet.

With each step, Sadah's anticipation grew, his heart pounding with excitement at the thought of what he might discover. He had heard tales of a particular patch of forest where tame mhe rarest and most delicious mushrooms could be found, and he was determined to find it.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of searching, Sadah stumbled upon a secluded glade tucked away amidst the trees. And there, nestled beneath a carpet of ferns and moss, he found it— a treasure trove of Button Mushrooms, their pale caps glistening in the dappled sunlight.

With a cry of delight, Sadah dropped to his knees beside the mushrooms, his fingers trembling with excitement as he carefully plucked them from the forest floor. Each mushroom he gathered filled him with a sense of wonder and awe, as if he were discovering a hidden world just waiting to be explored. “There are so many!” He had never seen so much food in a single area before.

As he filled his basket with the precious fungi, Sadah couldn't help but marvel at their beauty and delicacy. Their earthy scent filled the air, mingling with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers and pine needles, creating a heady perfume that seemed to intoxicate his senses.

With his basket full and his heart brimming with joy, Sadah made his way back home, his steps light and buoyant as if he were walking on air. He couldn't wait to share his discovery with his mother, to see the looks of delight and wonder on her face as she tastes the fruits of his labor.

His arms laden with mushrooms and his heart singing with happiness, Sadah couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the beauty and abundance of the natural world, and for the simple joys that could be found in the most unexpected of places. "I will use half the Button Mushrooms to create a special treat for mother! A savory mushroom pie!"

Returning home, Sadah set about gathering the necessary ingredients for his culinary creation. Relying solely on instinct, he fashioned a makeshift pie dish using pieces of broken pottery and some mud, carefully shaping it into a crude but functional vessel.

Next, he set to work on the pie filling, chopping the Button Mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and sautéing them with wild roots gathered from the forest. The tantalizing aroma filled the small home, mingling with the comforting scent of burning wood from the hearth.

As the pie browned in the hearth, Sadah was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, his heart pounding in anticipation of his mother's reaction. He had never attempted such a dish before, but he was determined to make it perfect for her.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the pie emerged from the hearth, golden and bubbling, its crust crisp and flaky. With trembling hands, Sadah carefully removed it from the fire and placed it on the ground next to his mother’s sleeping form.

"Mother, I made something special for you," Sadah said, his voice filled with pride as he presented the pie to his mother.

Hadriah's sleepy eyes widened in surprise as she beheld the steaming dish before her. "Oh, Sadah, you shouldn't have," she exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

With great ceremony, Sadah cut into the pie, revealing the rich filling of Button Mushrooms and herbs nestled within. The aroma filled the room, tempting the senses and stirring the appetite.

“Mother I will bring the remaining mushrooms to the market. Maybe we can have more fried lard tonight.”

Tears rolled down Hadriah’s face as she said a silent prayer of thanks to the heavens. Her son was growing up. “I am so proud of you. Here, take these” She gave him the scales she used to weigh the fish whenever they caught any.

His head still giddy with excitement of doing something right for the first time, Sadah ignored his mother’s praise. Picking up the scales and the basket of mushrooms, Sadah headed out.

Hadriah on the other hand picked up the pie and savored each bite of the delicious pie. As she ate, the worries and troubles of the world faded away, replaced by a sense of contentment and joy.

With the remaining mushrooms, Sadah set out to the market, his spirits soaring with hope. As he approached the bustling square, he noticed a group of affluent merchants, their lavish garments a stark contrast to the humble surroundings.

Their clothing, adorned with intricate embroidery and vibrant hues, stood in stark contrast to the simple garments worn by the villagers. Rich silks cascaded in luxurious folds around their forms, shimmering in the sunlight like molten gold. Jewels glittered from their fingers and necks, casting dazzling reflections that seemed to dance upon the air.

As Sadah made his way through the throng of people, he couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy at the sight of such opulence. In comparison to the merchants' lavish attire, his own humble garments seemed drab and worn, the fabric threadbare and faded from years of use.

He glanced around at the other villagers who had come to the market, noting the looks of awe and envy that flickered across their faces as they gazed upon the merchants' finery. It was clear that they, too, felt the sting of inferiority in the presence of such wealth and privilege.

But amidst the sea of opulence, Sadah stood tall, his gaze unwavering as he approached the merchants' stalls. Despite the disdainful glances and whispered remarks that followed him, he held his head high, determined to sell his mushrooms and provide for his mother.

As he laid out his wares upon the floor before him, Sadah couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the sight of the freshly harvested button mushrooms. Their earthy aroma filled the air, drawing the attention of passersby who stopped to admire the quality of his produce.

But despite his best efforts, Sadah found himself met with skepticism and derision from the merchants who passed by. They scoffed at his simple offerings, dismissing them as unworthy of their attention. Some even went so far as to turn up their noses in disgust, their disdain evident in every word and gesture.

Summoning his courage, Sadah approached the merchants, his voice trembling with excitement. "Good sirs, I have found the most delectable mushrooms in all the land. Would you care to sample them?"

The merchants, amused by Sadah's earnestness, exchanged knowing glances before bursting into laughter. "Look at this boy, with his childish speech," one remarked, his tone laced with mockery.

Undeterred by their scorn, Sadah remained steadfast in his determination to make a sale. With each rejection, he simply smiled and thanked the merchants for their time, refusing to let their disdain dampen his spirits.

And then, just when he was beginning to lose hope, a kindly old woman approached his stall, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. She examined the mushrooms with a discerning eye, nodding in approval at their freshness and quality.

"These are fine specimens, young man," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "I would be delighted to purchase a basket from you."

Sadah's heart soared at her words, gratitude flooding his soul as he handed her a basket of mushrooms. In that moment. “Thank you.” He brimmed from ear to ear as he held out his hand to accept two copper coins from her.

He headed home and dropped his first earnings into his mother’s hands. Confident that he would now be able to provide for her.

Hours passed, and soon the village was abuzz with whispers of a merchant's sudden illness.

Sadah, unaware of the havoc his mushrooms had wreaked, continued his daily routine, his mind occupied with thoughts of providing for his mother.

It wasn't until a frantic commotion erupted in the village square that Hadriah realized the gravity of the situation. Rushing to the scene, she found herself face to face with the merchant's distraught son. She gasped at the old lady’s features contorted with anguish.