Spice Lists and Survival Tips

Somewhere far far away ... Part 10

by CaylaCatz https://budgetpixel.com/u/CaylaCatz and @panos https://budgetpixel.com/u/panos

Index to all chapters: https://budgetpixel.com/blog/somewhere-far-far-away-all-chapter-links

here: Chapter 17 (by CaylaCatz):

Comments for Part 10

Chapter 17 : Spice Lists and Survival Tips

Chapter 17 images and text by CaylaCatz

Roberta's Skyport, original visuals and lore created by Bobbie . You can view her original images here: https://budgetpixel.com/p/39970

Cat's chapter:

Cat was just about to put her foot on the gangplank when she heard Cook calling her, "Cat, wait!"

She turned. The Pyrran Cook came trotting across the deck, apron still dusted with flour. One hand carried a stained notebook. The other held three bulging pouches.

Behind him, the smell of fresh bread and cinnamon drifted from the galley.

Cook thrust a folded map into her hands.

"Here. This is a map. This is Jax's spice shop. Here's a list of things I need. And this..." He dropped a heavy coin pouch into her palm. "...is spending money."

Cat nearly fumbled it.

"Leave the silvers in the bottom unless you absolutely must spend them. Don't flash them around."

"Why?"

"You don't want someone grabbing your purse."

Cat glanced toward the crowded docks below.

"I thought crime was impossible here."

"Oh, it is."

Cook nodded matter-of-factly.

"Still doesn't mean people won't try. And not everything is a crime. If you're foolish enough to leave yourself wide open, it might be interpreted as an invitation. It's not a crime to take a fool's money. This city does not suffer fools gladly. They can't cut your pursestrings tho so tie them to yourself really well. Using a blade is illegal because then you didn't invite them. See?"

"No."

"Never mind. you'll learn. Just don't learn with my money, ok? Keep that safe. Now while you're at Jax's, after he's given you my spices and herbs, ask him for a map to the night market and ask him for a booth." Cook gives her another bag, "These are a few of your cinnamon snicks."

"Snickerdoodles," Cat corrects automatically.

"Yeah, those. Tell him you want to sell those and a few other baked goods like that. Give these to him as a gift. He'll love them. I'll bake while you're gone so we have enough for tonight. We'll go half on profits. We can get the crew or kids to take terms manning the booth. You're great at baking but you have no pirate smarts, sorry to say. Oh, better ask him for any nut butters he might have. I've used up most of your peanut butter on an experiment."

"You're going to sell at the market with me?"

"Well, no. I'm not allowed in the skyport. Last time I was there someone tried to steal my recipe."

"Oh no!"

"Yes, I'm afraid I lost my temper a tad so I'm kinda banned. I flamed the thief but he wasn't hurt. Flames can't hurt us Pyrrans but the city got mad anyways because my intent was to hurt. It made him give me back my recipe back tho so I call it a win."

"Kinda banned?" but really Cat's mind was on flames don't hurt the Cook. That certainly explained some of his riskier cooking techniques.

"The elite here love one of my specialty cakes. If I can make one, they will intercede with the city to allow me a day's passage but I need some Elvie peppers. They're hot enough to make a dragon roar. I'm hoping Jax has a few or I won't be able to visit."

"They'll intercede with the city?"

"Not really. But they'll grant me passage through the magic to the city's temple so I can make an offering to the city myself. I have to make something for the city but that I've finished. If the city likes my offering, than I can visit for a set amount of time. It varies depending on its mood and how much it likes my offering."

"Offering? You've made cake for people in the temple?"

"No, it's a roast for the city. The city likes meat."

Cat laughed because it sounded like Cook was saying the city buildings or whatever could eat.

Cook looked at her dead serious.

The smile disappeared from her face.

"Wait. What?" asked Cat.

"You do know the city is alive, don't you?"

"What?"

"Oh dear. Do be careful and follow the rules. I like you. I'd prefer you didn't get eaten or fall asleep forever. A kiss won't wake you here." For the first time since running across the deck, Cook looked genuinely concerned.

"What???"

"Oh, look, the Wizard is getting impatient. You better hurry. And don't forget my spices!" With that Cook whirled around and went back to his galley. At the door he paused and looked back, "Don't tell anyone about the city. It's one of the rules. It hates gossips." With that, he leapt downstairs to his favorite room.

Cat stared after him. "But you just told me," she thought. She looks around for a lightning strike but nothing happens.

The Wizard yelled, "Cat, are you coming? Better hurry. It's not everyday we get to visit a skyport."

Cat turned around and looked at the city. How can you be alive, she wondered. It makes no sense. I really wish this world would make sense more often.

"Cat!"

"Ok, I'm coming."

The Wizard was already at the end of the gangplank.

Cat adjusted the bags slung over her shoulder and followed. The airship creaked softly behind her. For weeks it had been her entire world. Its brass corridors, steam pipes, engine noise, and familiar crew had become almost comforting.

At the bottom of the gangplank she hesitated, putting her foot gingerly onto the city street.

Well, it feels like a street at any rate, she thought. The wooden pavement felt solid beneath her boot.

She takes a big breathe and looks up. The skyport spread before her in every direction. Airships floated above crowded docking towers. Wooden bridges connected buildings suspended over open sky. Market banners fluttered in the mountain winds. The air smelled of spices, coal smoke, machine oil, roasting meat, and a dozen unfamiliar scents she couldn't identify.

She looked around at all the people bustling, at the shops and the buildings. People hurried past speaking languages she didn't recognize. Some looked human. Some not but she was getting used to that. A lot of the crew wasn't human either. Plus one of her friends was a bird. Weird was getting to be her new normal.

A crystal-skinned merchant argued with a four-armed customer beside a fruit stall.

Somewhere overhead a flock of brightly colored flying lizards swept between the mooring masts.

It's beautiful, she thought.

"Cat!"

"Okay, okay, I'm coming."

Cat sighed and thought again , "A wizard is my friend. A real wizard! I really wish this world would make sense more often." Thinking of the wizard, her mind leapt to cookies. She smiled. Books and cookies always made sense.

Then she hurried after the Wizard before she lost him in the crowd.

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