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The 6th of Spann, 468th Year of the Empire
My Delvers of Delicacies,
Leaving those dreadful woods behind us, the party found ourselves stumbling upon a delightful town of Fairhaven. The town's eyes and ears turned toward us as we entered from the South at sunset.
The golden hue cast over the town have it an ethereal glow. Modest houses and shops bustled with the activities of those ending their days. A young women with two small children in tow directed us to the nearest dining establishment- The Dull Wizard's Rest. A name who's origin I am determined to discover.
The Rest stood near the center of town, next door to the largest home in Fairhaven. We later discovered it belonged to the mayor.
Upon entering the Rest, we were greeted by the usual tavern fare - lively chatter, tankards of sloshing ale, and the aromatic smells of a kitchen staffed by a skilled chef.
But, something was missing. No music. No song and dance. Not even a drinking song. At first we thought it because this venue lacked a bard, but no sooner than Ishael had pulled out her lyre, than a half a dozen swords and knives had been drawn.
The proprietor of the establishment, a Mr Prim Daleforth, a man of no small statue, told us that under no circumstances was music of any kind allowed in Fairhaven.
Ishael launched into a scathing speech taking aim at those who would outlaw music. I thought her rant to be well spoken and passionate.
Unfortunately, it was for naught. The reason for their ban on music has no connection to any puritanical notions, but is entirely due to what the townsfolk have taken to calling "The Haunting Melody." He told of a melody that played at night. Those that hear it are drawn into a deep melancholy. In the most extreme cases townsfolk have wandered out into the wilderness beyond the town. Most of those that wander are found dead the next morning with their throats slashed by some wild animal.
My readers, when I tell you that I have never seen Ishael speechless until this moment, I swear to you it is the truth. She grew pale at the mention of the melody. Her eyes grew wide and she collapsed into a nearby chair.
As we tried to pry from our unusually sullen bard some sort indication as to what was happening with her, she just shook her head.
An hour later, as we sat here eating a delightful mutton and potatoes roast, she spoke.
As the last of the day's light winked outside, a soft melody washed in on the cool evening breeze. Ishael dipped her head low and whispered, "It's happening again." Then she burst into tears.
My friends, I must say, I had my doubts at the tales of this melody, but as its tones fell upon my ears, I fell into the deepest depths of sadness and malaise I have ever felt. I saw the same in the faces of my companions as well. The melody seemed to be calling to me. Calling me to the outside. As I stood, our little halfling bard placed her hand on mine and simply said, "Do not listen. Stay. You do not need to go into the dark."
Seeing the piercing love and concern in her eyes, I remained with my companions. The song lasted for the better part of the hour, until finally fading into the distance. As it faded, we tried to pry information from Ishael to no avail. All she gave is was a promise of a tale in the morning as we break fast. As I write this, I don't know how I'll sleep knowing that someone in this town followed the haunting melody into the night and won't be returning home in the morning.
I am sorry, my readers, that I am not leaving you with a more heartwarming tale with this letter, but the recipe for Potatoes and Mutton will do just fine in the absence of sweetened words.
Mr Prim's Roasted Potatoes and Mutton
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs of mutton, cut into chunks
- 4-5 medium-sized potatoes
- 2 onions
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons of rendered animal fat (such as lard or tallow)
- 1 cup of homemade meat or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup of red wine (optional)
Instructions:
1. Begin by lighting your hearth or cooking apparatus and allowing it to reach a moderate heat. You'll require a large cast-iron pot with a sturdy lid or a heavy ceramic dish with a cover.
2. Peel and chop the mutton into manageable chunks.
3. Place your pot or dish over the fire, add the rendered animal fat, and let it heat.
4. Brown the mutton chunks in the hot fat, turning them occasionally to ensure even browning. This process should take about 10-15 minutes. Once browned, set the mutton aside.
5. While the mutton is browning, peel and slice the onions and garlic.
6. In the same pot or dish, add the sliced onions and garlic, allowing them to soften and release their flavors.
7. Return the browned mutton to the pot, arranging it evenly among the onions and garlic.
8. Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into cubes.
9. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot, mixing them well with the mutton, onions, and garlic.
10. Tuck the fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs among the ingredients.
11. Season the entire mixture with salt and a generous amount of black pepper.
12. If you have access to red wine, pour it over the ingredients for added depth of flavor.
13. Finally, pour in your homemade meat or vegetable broth to cover the meat and potatoes.
14. Place a well-fitting lid on the pot or dish to trap the heat.
15. Position the covered pot or dish in the hearth or over the fire, ensuring a moderate, consistent heat. Roast for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the mutton is tender and the potatoes are thoroughly cooked.
16. Periodically check the dish, adding more broth if it becomes too dry.
17. Once everything is cooked to perfection, remove the pot or dish from the fire, and remove the herb sprigs.
18. Serve your roasted potatoes and mutton hot, savoring the rich flavors of this hearty and satisfying meal.
From what my keen culinary senses tell me, this meal, if prepared right, will give you a resistance to cold and fortify your constitution for a whole day.
I hope you get the chance to enjoy this robust meal on one of the upcoming winter nights.
Until next time,
Hathorn Rophine
PS- if you enjoy these letters, and want them to continue, I encourage you to toss a few coins to this enchantment to keep them coming.
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