Pig Hide (Mission)

Mission Details:

Upon arriving within the Land of Rice, Amelia had noticed a change in the area, differ from the Land of Moon. Which of course was to be expected. The terrain was more flat, and it also seemed as if the weather leaned more on the warmer side. Not only that. . there was of course many, many fields that flourished with crops.

The party of three has decided not to be bothersome to the village that was located within the Land of Rice, since their stay would be only brief. The old Ushitora had also shown a hint of his surprise when he had learned that there was a village. Apparently there hadn't been much around during his last time of moving through, which had been a great time ago. "The world's civilization is always growing. . and always changing." The old Ushitora had grumbled through his overgrown teeth.

The party had soon discussed the length of their stay, to determine whether or not the party would soon be disbanding and going their own separate ways. Which was bound to happen sooner or later. But for the time being , the three rested amongst one another and did their own thing.

After her well needed rest, Princess Amelia had went out off to her own way for a bit, only about 5 meters from where the other two was camped at, to do some conditioning. She wanted to make sure to maintain her strength, which was very prized amongst the ogre. The Princess would dread if she became too soft. her lack of size was already bad enough as is.

She worked her body beneath the roasting sun, her pale skin surprisingly not burning from it's angry rays. All the while; Amelia made sure to keep a wearie eye out for any sort of disturbances or intrusions. About an hour or so passed before Amelia was satisfied with her training and decided that it was about time to indulge herself in some food. Making her way back fo the other two at the camp, wondering to herself as to what she would do for something to eat.

The land of the Rice didn't seem to be very promising in the concept of wild meat. There were no forests or caves. The game around this part would perhaps be of the smaller size.

Which to her luck, when Amelia had made her way back to the camp, there was already some food prepared for eating.

The other party member had proven to be skillful with tracking, and found himself to a decent size boar. How the boy returned with a killed boar with no injuries, Amelia had no answer but she also didn't bother asking. She was just grateful that there was roasted pig being offered in her direction.

"Would you like to assist me with this?" The boy called out to Amelia's direction.

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(480/1,500)

Amelia's eyes followed to the other lifeless carcasses that laid on in the dirt from behind the young boy. Each of them was a boar, offed in whatever mysterious way, but provided a wondrous meal for the hungry and weary party.

The Ushitora princess raised an eyebrow before sighing in defeat. What followed next was not something she had expected a princess to have to do, but while also being a Warchief's daughter, she must do what must be done.

So the both of them spent most of the afternoon cleaning the pig carcasses and tending to the hide. While the rest of the party roasted the porky meat within a cackling fire. One of them sprinkled a white powder over the meat as the fats melted onto the scorching coals of the fire. Amelia learned that the powder was salt.

After some of the hides was stretched out near the warm fire, Amelia took the time to question the boy about why they was taking the time to work the boar hide.

The boy answered with a grin, his knife scraping against the hide once more to clean it properly, "I visited the village nearby just for a second. There I met someone, a local butcher to be exact, and he asked if we could perhaps assist in providing some wares." He paused for a second, turned the knife over swiftly within his hand to flip the blade, "I figured that a bit of coin would do us good during the travels, especially if some of us end up going our own separate ways here soon. The butcher promised to pay each of us for each hide we brought in."

Amelia nodded her head as she listened to the boy. It was indeed a great offer, and she appreciated having the chance to do some good for the village, even if they weren't aware of it themselves.

"Next time. . Let's find something else that isn't as. . Well. . unpleasant." Amelia responded with a chuckle, as she continued on working the hide. Although knowing damn well that gore wasn't really a problem for her.

Another few hours passed and the full party was gathered around the glowing fire, as the night surrounded them with a blanket of darkness, with sparkling stars that winked and teased. They all tore into the roasted boar meat like hungry dogs, manners all forgotten, but bellies all satisfied and taste buds delighted by the salted, fatty meat. The fire aided with drying the boar hides as long of the party members rubbed on salt every now and then, and the others took turns telling their own stories.
[921/1,500]

With full bellies and pig skins left to dry and stretch, the party decided to lay to rest. Sleep tugged at their consciousness and their spirits felt satisfied by the meal and the way their day was spent. It wasn't long before they fell into unconsciousness, while at least one stayed awake to keep guard over the rest. Every now and then the guard would switch with another, to be allowed to rest as well.

The night went on as peaceful as they could ask it to be, and the sun soon rose to start a new day and a new journey. The young boy that helped Amelia clean the boars had brought out an old, beat up pot with some clean water to boil. In it he dropped some of the hog bones that was left over from the night before, as the hides dried for a little longer by the fire and beneath the rising sun.

When it was ready, the young boy passed around tins that was filled to the brim with the warm bone broth, and the fragrance that waffered from it was delicious. Amelia carefully sipped from the cup with a pleasant expression visible upon her face. She enjoyed traveling with this group, so the Ushitora princess was not looking forward to having to leave any of them. If any of them was to part, then the journey would become even more lonely. She already knew it was bound to happen.

They began to pack up their belongings and snuffed out the fire that had been used from the morning, and the night before. It was about time to move on to the next location, and leave behind the land of rice. Both Amelia and the young boy removed the stuff boar hides from where they laid stretched, and began to roll them up to soften the stiff fibers. They would need to deliver these to the butcher before the left, and luckily the butcher agreed to need them outside the village to make it more convenient for the travelers. So that they could quickly be on their way to the next destination point. Wherever that may be.

Amelia waited as the boy left to deliver the hides, her belongings was all ready and prepared for the travel and the other members of the party sat in wait as well. The place looked almost as if no one had even been about, which was what they bad intended for. Less then an hour later the young boy returned. His face was obviously flushed with excitement.

He divided the bags of coins amongst all of the party members, as promised. The weight of the bag felt satisfying within her hands, and Amelia tugged the strings open for a moment to inspect it's contents. Counting the coins inside in curiosity, as well as finding something a little extra that laid within with the ryo.

Her face must have shown how puzzled she was, as Amelia retrieved what else was inside. Delicately, she held what seemed to be a polished ring of some sort of white material. She glanced over at the young boy, while turning the ring over withing her fingers.

"Sorry. . uhh I hope you don't mind it. It's something I made from one of the bones. It's just in case we do end up going our separate ways, I wanted to leave something behind for you." The boy nervously ruffled his own hair as he glanced towards the ground at his feet.

Amelia smiled softly and slipped the ring onto her finger. The bone was smooth to the surface and glistened beautifully. "I promise I'll treasure it. Thank you." She responded. - Exits -
[1,535/1,500]

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Claims:

Approved