Hathorn's Guide: Into the Woods

If you're new, you might want to start at the beginning of these letters

The ? of Covaris, 468th Year of the Empire

My Dearest Delvers of Culinary Delights,

The Whispering Grove is devious. For an unknown number of days we have wandered. Aimlessly. My pocket watch spins wildly, and Selenar's timekeeping spell proves useless, as does Aliasbe's normally keen awareness of nature. We are all befuddled. Tempers run high and we are all at each other's throats. 

Not even Ishael's attempts at revelry raised our spirits. Her voice fell flat, as did her antics. She attempted to play a series of escalating pranks on Dathor, only to end up with his ire and a bruised ego. An enraged barbarian is one thing, an enraged barbarian of Dathor's intelligence and even temperament is on another level. I wish it upon no one. 

No light breaks through the canopy.

No sound but the whispers of the forest. The woods seem to mute even the sounds of our party, as if it disagrees with our very intrusion and presence in the dark recesses of the woods. 

We take a night's sleep when we're tired, but we have no way of knowing if it is truly day's end. Every moment is blending into the other. 

My readers, I fear we are lost. I fear we are losing ourselves in the woods. I fear I will lose myself into the whispers. 

Even our food has lost all flavor. No matter the recipe or the spice, none of us can taste. Not wanting to waste any of our flavorful foods, I have been preparing a basic oat gruel for our meals. I will share with you a favorite recipe of mine in hopes you have a more enjoyable dining experience than I have had these past several meals...

This recipe was learned at the countertops of our cook at my family home. Mrs. Shaelfrock. She taught me much of what I know. I owe a great deal to the lessons from her in that kitchen.

So, in hopes you may experience this meal as intended and not as the bland gruel we've been consuming, I present to you!

Mrs. Shaelfrock's Oatmeal with Berries and Honey

Ingredients:

- 1 cup rolled oats

- 2 cups water

- A pinch of salt

- 1/2 cup mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries- I highly recommend avoiding barberries and billberries- really anything that might poison or kill you with improper preparation)

- 2 tablespoons honey

- A sprinkle of ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil over an open fire.

2. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.

3. Stir in 1 cup of rolled oats and keep the pot only partially over the heat. Let the oats simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they reach your desired consistency. The oats should be creamy and tender.

4. While the oats are cooking, wash and prepare the mixed berries. Cut the larger berries into bite-sized pieces if needed.

5. Once the oatmeal is ready, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the mixed berries and let them sit for a minute or two to warm through slightly.

6. Drizzle the oatmeal and berries with 2 tablespoons of honey and give it a gentle stir to incorporate the sweetness.

7. Optionally, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top for extra flavor and aroma.

8. Serve the oatmeal with berries and honey in wooden bowls or ceramic dishes.

I hope you enjoy a warm and satisfying breakfast fit for whatever adventure awaits you! (with the exception of wandering in the Whispering Woods like us fools).

As Always Flavorfully Yours,

Hathorn Rophine 

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