Chapter 6: Sustenance and Serenity in the Wilderness

As the first light of dawn filtered through the canopy above, Emily stirred from her slumber within the hollow trunk of the tree. Nestled amidst a bed of dried leaves, she felt a sense of peace wash over her, the comfort of a restful night's sleep enveloping her like a warm embrace.

Stretching her limbs luxuriously, Emily basked in the tranquility of her newfound refuge. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she had slept soundly, cradled by the protective embrace of the forest itself. The worries and dangers of the night seemed like distant memories, replaced by a renewed feeling of vitality.

With a contented sigh, Emily sat up, taking in her surroundings with a sense of wonder. The hollow trunk provided a snug haven, its curved walls offering both shelter and security against the wilderness beyond.

Feeling a pang of hunger, Emily reached for her rustic bag, retrieving some peamatos to sate her morning appetite. As she chewed thoughtfully, she marveled at the simple abundance of nature's bounty, grateful for the sustenance it provided.

With her stomach filled and thirst quenched by the cool water she had collected from the nearby spring, Emily felt a renewed sense of energy coursing through her veins.

With a determined smile, Emily rose to her feet, ready to face whatever challenges the day may bring. Today would be a day of adventure and hard work ahead, and Emily was ready to embrace it with open arms.

In the heart of the forest, Emily stood amidst the dappled sunlight, her gaze focused on the bundles of meat she had carefully preserved with bay leaves stored in her wooden bag. She knew it was time to take the next step in ensuring their longevity: drying.

She carefully unwrapped each bundle, inspecting the meat with a sharp eye. The aroma of the bay leaves mingled with the earthy scent of the forest, creating a tantalizing bouquet that filled the air around her.

As she worked, Emily selected a spot nearby where the sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting golden rays onto the forest floor. It was here that she would set up her drying station, utilizing the natural warmth and airflow to aid in the preservation process.

Using more branches and vines, Emily fashioned a simple drying rack, arranging the meat bundles evenly across its surface. She ensured that each piece of meat was spaced apart to allow for adequate airflow, essential for drying.

With the drying rack in place, Emily stepped back to admire her handiwork, a sense of satisfaction washing over her. She knew that patience would be key now, as she waited for the meat to slowly dehydrate, transforming into a shelf-stable source of sustenance that would sustain her through the days ahead.

Emily's mind drifted back to the elven village where she had learned some things about herbalism, taught to her by the wise elders who tended the village's herb gardens with reverence.

With the knowledge passed down from generations past, Emily knew that these herbs held the key not only for enhancing her dishes but also to crafting soothing teas.

With the meat safely drying, Emily turned her attention to the present, eager to enjoy a meal made with the remaining fresh meat from the thornhide boar she had managed to defend against. With a campfire set up nearby, Emily skewered thin slices of the tender meat on sharpened sticks. She roasted them over the flames as she brushed them with rosemary sticks she had collected for this purpose, until they were golden brown and fragrant.

As the meat sizzled and hissed, releasing its mouthwatering aroma into the air, Emily's stomach growled in anticipation. With a satisfied smile, she removed the skewers from the fire, the meat glistening with juices and seasoned with the smoky essence of the forest.

Sinking her teeth into the succulent meat, Emily closed her eyes and savored the flavors, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the bounty of the forest and the skill and determination that had brought her this far.

The rosemary-infused meat has a rich and aromatic flavor, with hints of earthiness and herbal notes complementing the savory taste of the boar meat. With each bite, she felt a renewed sense of strength.

I wonder what effects this dish could have…

“Inspect.”

"Rosemary-Infused Thornhide Boar Skewers:

Succulent slices of thornhide boar meat, expertly skewered and infused with the aromatic essence of fresh rosemary. Grilled to perfection over an open flame.

[Enchanted Eats]:

Stamina Boost: It provides a burst of energy and stamina, allowing its consumers to endure physical exertion for longer periods without tiring for 4 hours.”

Wow, this recipe’s effects are so good. This would be extremely useful here in the wilderness. Ah… But I won’t have fresh boar meat available at all times. And I’d definitely still rather avoid fighting with another boar or any creepy creatures as much as possible. Well, there’s not much I can do about it, but it’s good to know anyway.

I’m going to take advantage of these effects and carry some water to the campsite, as well as craft some arrows for self-defense.

Emily spent most of the afternoon in these tasks, taking care of the most tiresome tasks while she was still under the effect of her energizing meal.

When the meal’s invigorating effects went off, she ate some peamatos to satisfy her food needs. The fruit, although it didn’t provide any special effects as her enhanced meals, was easily available and it was a quick way to solve her hunger needs. Although she enjoys cooking, she can’t afford to spend most of the day doing so, with so many things needed to be done as well.

With the sun beginning its descent towards the horizon, Emily embarked on another mission. She decided to gather more herbs to store for her dishes, and also try out herbal teas. Herbs are very light and once dry, they last for a long time, so it wouldn’t hurt to gather as much as possible and have them available all the time.

Armed with nothing but her rustic bow, several arrows on her quiver, a sharp stone and her rustic bag slung over her shoulder, she traversed the forest floor with this purpose.

Her keen eyes scanned the verdant landscape, searching for the signs of herbs. After a short while, she spotted a patch of delicate chamomile flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

With careful hands, she plucked the fragrant blossoms, their calming scent filling the air around her. And then, it wasn't long before she found a cluster of lemon balm leaves shimmering in the dappled sunlight. With practiced ease, she gathered the leaves, relishing in their fresh, uplifting fragrance. She knew its citrusy aroma would complement the chamomile perfectly.

She took this opportunity to harvest more wild thyme and wood sorrel, and pick up more peamatos. As much as she could, so that she could cook several Forest Bounty Stir-Fry meals in the following days. She filled up her bag until anything else would fit in.

With her freshly foraged herbs, Emily made her way to the nearby spring. Kneeling beside the clear, bubbling water, she used her hands to drink from it until she was satisfied, so that the water she had gathered early would last a little longer on her camp.

Returning to her campsite, Emily kindled a small fire with dry twigs and leaves, the flames dancing eagerly in the gathering dusk. Using her sharp stone and her gourd bowl as a makeshift mortar and pestle, she crushed the chamomile flowers and lemon balm leaves together, releasing their essential oils and maximizing their flavor.

With the herbal mixture prepared, Emily took her gourd bottle with the fresh spring water, its surface shimmering in the firelight. Placing the gourd near the flames, she watched it carefully as the water began to heat, infusing with the soothing aroma of chamomile and lemon balm.

As the tea simmered gently, Emily breathed deeply, allowing the calming scent to wash over her. With each passing moment, she felt her tension melt away, replaced by a sense of tranquility and focus.

Finally, the tea reached the perfect temperature, its golden hue glowing warmly in the firelight. With a contented smile, Emily poured herself a bowl of tea, savoring the fragrant aroma and the soothing taste of chamomile and lemon balm.

Sitting by the crackling fire, Emily closed her eyes and took a sip, feeling a wave of calmness wash over her. As she drank, she felt her mind clear.

“Chamomile and Lemon Balm Tea:

A soothing blend of delicate chamomile flowers and citrusy lemon balm leaves, carefully infused to create a calming and refreshing herbal brew.

Effects:

[Buff: Calm Focus] Helps maintain a clear mind and steady hand during moments of stress or danger for 1 hour.”

Oh… this one’s effect doesn’t last as much, and it doesn’t say Enchanted Eats either. It seems this is just the normal effects of the herbs. So… my skill doesn’t affect infusions. Good to know. It is still a nice effect despite it lasting only for one hour. It could be useful in some situations, although you would have to know beforehand that you’re going to need it, due to its duration being only for an hour.

I remember the elves from the village tending to these herbs in the garden and drinking several herbal infusions before. Although at that time I couldn’t really see the effects as I do now.

I knew chamomile was known for its calming properties, the elder elves said it can help reduce stress and anxiety. And I remember hearing about lemon balm as well. It is a soothing herb that can help improve mood and reduce feelings of agitation. Sylvan, my grandma from this world, would make tea out of them, sometimes combined with other herbs to help me sleep.

She took good care of me. These memories feel so warm despite not feeling like my own memories. Back in my previous life, I grew up without the warmth of a family. My parents, despite being together, were too involved in academics and their careers. We had financial stability, a very nice and big house, and they could afford to hire a nanny to take care of me so that they could fully focus on their careers.

But the people they hired didn’t really get close to me. They just made sure I didn’t cry, eat well and such basic needs. I grew up with a prevailing feeling of loneliness deep within myself already. I wish I could have experienced those moments with my grandma in this world instead…

And with such longing thoughts, Emily went to sleep for the day. Despite having these gloomy memories stirred up in her mind, she didn’t take long to fall asleep. It seems the herbal tea was doing its job perfectly.

As the days passed, Emily tended to the drying meat with care, turning the bundles regularly to ensure even drying and checking for any signs of spoilage. With each passing day, the meat grew lighter and more leathery, a testament to the success of her preservation efforts.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Emily deemed the meat sufficiently dried, its texture firm and its aroma rich with savory notes. With a sense of accomplishment, she carefully wrapped each piece in fresh bay leaves, sealing in its flavor and aroma for future meals.

“Bayleaf-Infused Thornhide Jerky:

Tender cuts of thornhide boar meat, dried and preserved to perfection, boasting a rich, savory aroma and a firm, leathery texture, this savory treat can last for up to a month, ensuring a reliable source of sustenance.“