Chapter 239: The Boring Corridors
"Good job! Now, pour the red and yellow spices in and keep stirring," Boohm ordered.
Zender was looking at the massive, new cauldron, stirring with the ladle, also new. Both were bought by Boohm himself during their last stop. Zender was pressing his left hand against the cauldron's bottom, his silver hand and lower arm seeming to glow from within like molten metal.
Irwin was leaning against the entrance of the kitchen, watching as Boohm tutored Zender on the details of creating some spicy meat stew based on a recipe Boohm knew. They had entered the Chaotic Corridors three weeks ago, and by now, Boohm was happy enough with Zender's progress to allow him to prepare their evening meal.
"Good, good," Boohm hummed. "Wait till the bubbles appear in the center, even when you stir slowly. That's when you know it's done!"
Zender nodded, and a few moments later, he removed his hand, which rapidly cooled, the red turning to its usual silvery pale flesh.
Maybe I should start collecting metallic cards to bring back home, Irwin thought as he rubbed his shaven chin. He'd broken three knives already and, in the end, had to buy a much more expensive one created by a carded-crafter. It had a few miniature runes on the blade that pulled in minute bits of ambient soulforce to keep its edge. Not that it would remain perfect forever, but it should last for a few years. At the steep price of nearly a thousand soulshards, it had better.
"Alright, now keep stirring it till it stops bubbling, then place the lid on, and we can eat in twenty minutes," Boohm said, padding Zender on his back. "You did great, boy!"
Zender was staring anxiously at the pot, still stirring, and only when he finally placed the lid as instructed did he seem to lose some of his stress.
"I'll get the rest," Irwin said.
An hour later, they were all leaning back, the pot nearly half empty due to a heroic effort of Irwin and Boohm, who had both eaten as much as three normal grown men.
"Greldo, can we play hide and seek again?" Earila asked, eyes glittering.
Irwin shared a smile with Rindiri. She had left the ship hovering in a narrow strip with Coal guarding from the shadows in case anything happened so they could eat together.