Book 3: Chapter 17: Herblore Class

    Arthur went back the way he had come through the meandering, nonsensical hive. Tamya’s words echoed in his ears, lowering his mood. Though he had not been aware that there was a problem, he knew he had failed her and Len. He was supposed to be the leader of the class—even though he was in training himself. Yet all he had done was focus on how Moon Hive’s training had failed him. He’d given little to no thought about the shortcomings in the lower ranks.

    Rubbing his face, he sighed aloud. That must have been a bit too much for his new Stealth class because he got a couple of curious looks before people''s eyes slid away as Arthur refocused.

    Then on cue, he received a new skill level in Concealment.

    Well, he might be a screw-up as a leader, but he always had his skills.

    He couldn''t change what had happened with Tamya and Len. She made it clear that the bridge was burnt. The only thing he could do from here on out was to learn from the experience, move forward, and try to keep it from happening again.

    Straightening, Arthur exhaled as if to rid himself of his guilt. As he took in a clean breath, he caught a spicy scent in the air. His stomach rumbled in approval.

    He had been hesitant about going into one of the kitchens to grab a bite before as there were things in there that could be weapons, like knives. But that silver mystic who had seen through his stealth class hadn’t stopped him from walking where he wanted.

    Perhaps he was being overdramatic. Did it matter if word got back to the council that he’d been out and about? They already knew they couldn’t control him.

    Following his nose, he found the delicious spicy aroma coming from a vendor who had set up a cart in an alcove, too shallow to be considered an official lava cave. The booth had a smoking grill with several battered peppers roasting upon it. Despite the alluring smell, no one waited in line for a meal.

    "What is this?" Arthur asked, walking up.

    "Stuffed peppers," the man replied. "We have meat, cheese, or rice. Or you could get all three for a copper."

    The peppers were quite large and stuffed. That was a lot of food, but Arthur had his storage space. He figured he could take some back to Cressida as well. She wouldn''t be leaving Joy''s side anytime soon.

    "I''ll take two of the combinations," he said and stood back to watch as the vendor dipped a couple of the already stuffed peppers into the batter and threw them onto the grill. Then the man skewered the nearly cooked-through peppers with small wooden stakes.

    New Counterfeit Skill obtained: Perfectly Roasted

    Remaining Time: 71 Hours 59 Minutes 59 Seconds

    New skill gained: Perfectly Roasted (Cooking Class)

    Due to your card’s bonus traits and your existing Cooking Class, you automatically start this skill at level 5.

    Arthur''s eyebrows rose. That was a valuable skill to have for anyone interested in cooking. Judging by the time limit left, it had come from a Common card.

    Thanks to his Master of Skills card, it was now his. He hadn''t had a lot of time to level his skills since Brixaby''s hatching, but this would go nicely with his cooking class.

    The vendor, completely oblivious that his valuable skill card had just been copied, took the cooked peppers by the ends of the skewers and wrapped them in wax paper before handing them to Arthur.

    Arthur quickly stuffed those into his Personal Space. Because time did not move for items in there, they would come out just as perfectly cooked as they had been when they went in.

    The second set of three peppers, he reserved for himself. Eagerly, he bit into one he thought might be stuffed with cheese. The taste exploded in his mouth—greasy and delicious, and satisfyingly spicy. And there was another surprise. He received a boost.

    Thanks to an infusion of fire peppercorn flakes, your Fire Resistance has temporarily been increased to level 4. This is a temporary effect and will result in a negative point-temporary backlash once the effect wears off. You will then be more susceptible to burns.

    Time left: 4 hours 59 minutes, 59 seconds.

    "Is there a problem?"

    The vendor was watching him closely, and Arthur hesitated before saying anything. "I have a body enhancement card," he said, "and I just received a minor boost. Would you happen to know why?" He phrased his words carefully because asking for details on someone else''s craft was, well, an easy way to get himself chased away from the vendor''s booth.

    At least, in the Wolf Moon hive.

    So he was surprised again when the vendor beamed wide. "Oh, so you saw that little fire resistance boost? Normally that goes right over people''s heads—they still get it though."

    "You know about that?" Arthur asked, then added, still in complete shock, "You cooked it in on purpose? How?”

    Mentally, he was reeling: And you''re okay with me knowing about this?

    The work was deadly dangerous. As punishment for crimes against the kingdom, everyone was uncarded. That meant they had no defense against scourge-dust, should it get too deep into their lungs, or open wounds. Also, the dragon soil itself represented a threat... though Arthur hadn’t learned that until he had been in the hive.

    And what he scented now was even more pungent than he remembered as a child.

    Arthur paused in the act of pulling on the gloves to stare down at the rich ground, mildly horrified. “How long has this soil been curing in the sun?”

    The woman grinned at him. And though she was certainly not a young thing, she still had all her teeth. “You picked up on that fast. This soil’s been curing for six months.”

    “But—”

    “No more questions. If you’re here to help and not waste my time, come over here. I’ll show you how to trim the sage. Bring that pair of clippers on the wall – the ones just over there.”

    Arthur hesitated again. He didn’t have a problem with helping, though he had come mostly to ask questions. He figured if this woman was brave enough – or crazy enough – to work with nearly raw dragon soil, he could be as well.

    A few moments later, he was kneeling by her side and being shown what was dead and could be pruned away, and what was promising and alive. It wasn’t as easy as breaking off the dead bits. The woman insisted Arthur cut at an angle until he reached green wood and then pat the end with a bit of the raw dragon soil. Apparently, it was to promote growth.

    Soon, he received a skill.

    New skill gained: Basic Herbal Gardening (Herblore Class/Alchemy Class)

    Due to learning the basics of this skill from a master in this class, your starting level has been increased.

    You automatically start this skill at level 8.

    That was useful.

    Arthur was used to doing things on his own. So, he appreciated a boost when he received one.

    “I came here looking for fire peppercorns,” Arthur said conversationally as he clipped. “Do you know who grows them?”

    “I do. I’ll be along in that cave soon if you want to follow me over there. I figured you weren’t here to help,” she said with a mischievous smile that told Arthur she thought she had tricked him into this. Honestly, the work was worth it just for the skill alone.

    And doubly worth it for the next bit of interesting information.

    Arthur’s next sage bush looked... weird. “What’s wrong with this one? Is it sick?”

    “Eh?”

    She shuffled over immediately with a hunched back. Seeing the bush and its yellow-spotted leaves, her face broke into another grin. “Now this is more like it! It’s not sick, boy! Look at the leaves!”

    “They’re not dying?”

    “No, still alive. Not curled in at the least and none have dropped at all!” She looked like she was ready to do a jig. “This is a new variety.”

    “A new...” He stopped, understanding dawning on him at last. Arthur glanced again at the dragon soil underfoot.

    It was said that dragon soil could cause scarring burns, but also odd growths – cancers that only the healers could take care of. And on plants...

    “You’re using the dragon soil to create new varieties?” he asked, a little stunned nobody in Wolf Moon hive had thought of such a thing. They were practically knee-deep in dragon soil – curing it was a logistical nightmare all on its own. Why hadn’t anyone thought of this?

    She cackled. “Most of the new stuff is useless, but occasionally we come up with something good. Like those fire peppercorns you’re interested in. That was a discovery a couple of years ago—and useful as long as you don’t breed them too close. Then they’ll literally light the roof of your mouth on fire.”

    With another cackle, she carefully took a snip of the new yellow leaf, wrapped it in a bit of paper, and noted it down with a stick of coal.

    “What are you going to do with that?” Arthur asked.

    “Testing, of course. Sometimes a new leaf yields a different taste. Sometimes a boost or boon, but those can be hard to spot.”

    Arthur grinned. “I might be able to help out with that.”