<h4>Chapter 22: A SURPRISE MEAL</h4>


    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 mest 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 hade 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 arge can the men had used to boil waterst 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.