Sentinelspire - Mark Sehestedt [29]
"You have salt already, so try to find a white doeskin bag. It should have a brass hinge on top rather than a drawstring."
Val rummaged a moment, then produced the bag. "What is it?"
"Just sage."
Valmir opened the little hinge and sniffed at it. Satisfied, he closed the latch and tossed it to Berun.
"Now, a larger oilskin pouch with black stitching."
Val found it, sniffed the contents, and his brows rose appreciatively. "What's this?"
"It's called lingale," said Berun. "It will help to bring out more flavor in the meat, and if we let it simmer, it will thicken the broth nicely."
"Nice," said Val. "What next?"
"This one is my little secret," said Berun. "The yaqubi call it yellow safre. Quite good. You'll find it in a similar oilskin pouch, only this one has lighter stitching."
"Not much of a secret anymore." Valmir grinned as he looked for the pouch.
"This is just cooking," said Berun. "I don't guard these secrets that closely."
Valmir tossed him the pouch.
"One more, I think," said Berun. "It's probably near the bottom. Been a while since I used it. This one is a bottle made from bone. Should have a thick wad of felt stuffed in the top for a cap."
"Why bone?" asked Val as he rummaged through the satchel.
"Clay or glass might break, and leather tends to soak up the flavor of this particular spice."
Valmir produced the bottle and tossed it to Berun. "What is this one?"
Berun twisted the felt out of the bottle and gave the contents a careful sniff. "This one is most special. I trade for it with Shou merchants in Almorel." He shook a generous pile into the palm of one hand.
"What’s it called?"
"They call it tep yen," said Berun. "I suspect it's some sort of fruit, but these are the seeds, dried and crushed." He leaned over the fire and extended his hand. "Here. Smell. It's quite good."
Careful of the fire between them, Valmir leaned toward Berun's open palm. He inhaled through his nose, and his brows rose in appreciation. "Good," he said. "Smells hot."
"It is," said Berun-and blew the tep yen into Valmir's eyes.
Valmir shrieked-a high-pitched scream so loud that Berun thought the man might tear his throat. Val fell back, his hands scrabbling at his eyes and his feet kicking the fire.
Kerlis and Dren leaped to their feet. Kerlis, eyes wide and a snarl on his lips, already had a short sword in hand. Dren was calmer. A small smile played across his lips as he glanced at Valmir, who was still thrashing and screaming. Dren would be the problem, then.
Dren reached behind his back, and his hand reappeared with a knife. But the other hand he held open and outward in a sign of peace. He stepped around the fire and took three steps toward Berun.
Relief swept through Berun. If Dren had stayed by his fire and held Lewan hostage, this little plan would have fallen apart right away.
Fight-fight-fight? The feeling-the eagerness-touched the edge of Berun's mind.
Not yet, he answered. Hold. Be ready. Ready-ready. Fight-fight-fight!
"On your belly!" Kerlis shouted to Berun. He'd stopped a few paces away, and his eyes flitted back and forth from Berun to Dren.
"Not for you," said Berun. He crouched near the fire and motioned the men forward.
"Just sit down," said Dren. "Don't make us hurt you." "You won't hurt me."
"Have it your way." Dren's open hand tightened into a fist.
The two men advanced. Berun figured Kerlis would strike first. After the events of the day, the man had a lot to make up for. Berun waited until Kerlis was only a few paces away, then he lifted the near end of the spit over the fire-kettle of boiling water still dangling from the middle-and hurled it at Kerlis. The kettle struck him and the boiling water splashed over him.
Kerlis went down thrashing, and his screams drowned out Valmir's.
Fight-fight-now? Perch was tense.
Not yet, answered Berun. I have this one.
Berun turned his full attention to Dren, brandished one fist, and said, "You'd do best to go after Sauk and get help. You're going to need it."
The larger man smiled and waved his dagger. "You'd