Srsli

152: Epilogue B3

Simon had only been on the road for a couple of weeks now, but it had felt like a lifetime. Currently sitting in an inn at a small village just south of Elarith Vale, he listened to the rumours from merchants as they travelled through.

What he heard just got worse as every new rumour came through town, and boy were there a lot of rumours. Fate’s Chosen, the dragon whisperer—that’s what they called him now. A boy travelling with a shadow cat, and making friends with dragons.

...

151: Responsibilities

Once we made it back to the house, I was surprised when we entered because it felt alive. The new staff were already working as Archie welcomed us back, again with more scrolls of parchment in his hand.

“Welcome back, Trevor, Sir. We’ve had several more messages delivered to the house in your absence,” Archie said, handing over the papers.

“Thanks, Archie,” I said, looking at them.

I really didn’t understand what to do with them all. I didn’t want to att...

150: Commission

I tried to finish the candy as fast as I could, but there was only so much I could do. I suppose I could have put it into storage and finished it later, but I’d probably forget.

“You know, Trev, Micca will never be able to sell these, right?” Hari said.

I nodded. “Yeah, I know. These were for the party. I wanted to get supplies all sorted for when we head out again.”

“If you could somehow stack strength, endurance, and stone skin into a single candy, it would be ...

149: Lemon Drops

Entering in the kitchen with half a day to spend before we’d need to leave, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to make. I knew I’d need to make breakfast, especially with both Lily and Liane staring at me.

“Do we still have bacon?” Liane asked.

“Not much,” I said, pulling out the third of a belly I had left.

“I’ll have that!” Liane said happily, getting a look from Lily that made it very clear that was not going to happen.

I couldn’t help but laug...

148: Chaos

I looked in the library’s direction as I entered the foyer, when Archie showed up a moment later.

“Excuse me, sir, if I could have a moment?” he said.

“Just Trevor, and sure,” I responded, as Lily vanished from behind me.

“It’s about the other staff, s—Trevor sir. Well, how to put this… they are not cut out for the job…” he said, struggling to find the words.

“They have quit, sir. All except Cameron and your guards have quit. The arrival of the ...

147: Unexpected

Looking up at Liane, all I got out was, “I can use wine in cooking?”

“Trevor, that’s great, did you hear me?” Liane said, frustrated with the response.

“Oh sorry, I’ll cook another steak. It’s okay,” I said, waving it off, still looking at the plate that Lily was now clearing off.

Liane just looked at me, mouth open.

“I’m no fan of the royals, but just a steak?” Liane asked with a chuckle.

“Yeah? It’s what I’m making tonight,�...

146: Family

Hari fell into his chair and sat in silence for a long while.

“Hari, you’ve got to tell him,” Jen said softly.

“I know. I know. I don’t know where to start,” Hari said.

“Alright. The start.” He drew a slow breath. “I was young—only about your age—when I got my class. At the time, it was just a common Warrior. My father was disappointed. He believed all noble house children should be uncommon at least, and if they failed to get that, then it was t...

145: Visitors

Interlude: Marcus

The last couple of weeks had been stressful for Marcus. After the first messenger arrived, four more followed quickly after.

One from Boltron claimed this boy—just an orphan—had provoked the Tempest Dragon, causing it to destroy its own temple, along with a landslide that inflicted incredible damage on the city, and that Felix Boltron was seeking to have the boy held to justice.

What utter nonsense.

Marcus had hoped to start from neutral, but every message pushed ...

144: Feast

The room was filled with the smell of roast meats, herbs, and spices. It was impossible to pick out one meal from them all, but the food kept coming—familiar meats that I knew, like a platter full of rabbits, grumfels, and large buvul roasts with a rich aroma of herbs, mixed with the musky scent of fats.

There were also meats I’d never seen before, with an almost earthy smell mixed with spices that tingled the nose. What followed were the poultry options—so many types of birds. Ag...

Happy New Years!

I hope you all have a wonderful new year as we see off 2025 and welcome in 2026.

First, I want to genuinely thank you all so much for being here, for supporting this story and for making it what it is.

What a year it has been, back in early June, end of May I had a random Idea that we needed more cooking stories, and being a fan of Campfire cooking in another world, and waiting for season 2, I figured hell I'll try writing a story!

Never under any wildest dreams did I expect...

143: Tension

Entering the dining hall, I noticed several sets of eyes on me immediately, all sitting around a very long wooden table in the centre of the room. Several of them looked shocked as Lily and Crisplet came in behind me.

The room itself wasn’t as opulent as the grand hall. The walls were lined with banners that I had to assume were all the house symbols, and along the far wall sat a table with varied jugs and bottles.

I took in the group at the table itself—none of them we...

142: Palace

Chasing after Liane, I noticed she vanished as she went through the door to the stairs. Her laughter, however, was not hidden.

“Wait, Liane! What do you mean I’m causing trouble?” I said, rushing down the stairs.

Reaching the foyer below, I stopped, noticing Hari and Jen both wearing the red suit that I had been provided. Milo was wearing a very formal-looking brown-and-white robe that I had never seen before today. Liane was wearing a mostly dark outfit, but there was still...

141: Tailor

Looking down at the suit in my hands, I quickly convinced myself the minor alterations would be best. After all, I’d only met Alira once. I knew that Lily and Crisplet would probably prefer to represent me.

Racing out the door, I saw Cameron heading through the hall.

“Sorry, Cameron, before you go, you might be able to help me?” I said, catching him before he exited onto the stairs.

Turning around, looking confused, Cameron stammered, “Sir?”

“Sorry, ...

140: Dressed

I looked around before I made my way into the garden itself. I wanted to be fairly sure I wasn’t being observed.

“Lily, you wouldn’t happen to know if I’m being watched right now, would you?” I asked quietly.

She wasn’t out in the open, but her presence never left, so I assumed she was likely still watching or nearby. It took only a moment to get my answer as Crisplet shot a single ember.

Nodding, I activated Arcane Foraging, and immediately tuned out the ...

Update 22nd of Dec!

Happy holidays all!

This is just a reminder for everyone that this week there will be fewer chapters than normal; however, I still will release 3-4, just not the normal 5 :)

As an apology, I've added a picture of Lily as a kitten

Also, the floor plan picture of the house is over on Discord if you're curious. It's nothing too fancy, but some people asked (Hammy looking at you :D )

I'm wishing you all a peaceful stress free week <3

-Srsli

139: Tour

A nudge broke me out of my stunned silence as the King stood just outside the wagon.

Lily bumped her head into me again, forcing me to my feet as I noticed Liane chuckling behind her.

“Alright, alright, but how can this be my place? I can’t take care of all this,” I said, leaving the wagon.

The King laughed. “You won’t need to take care of anything. It’s fully staffed, and if you wish to change any of the staff with your own, that will not be a problem. This is a...

138: Introductions

The group slowed considerably while I was trying to get a good look at the King.

I knew very little about him. From the books I had read, his name was King Marcus Ashivar. I knew from my texts—although usually just known as the capital—the city itself is named after the royal family name, Ashivar.

“What is with all the guards?” I whispered.

Jen pulled out a piece of paper and wrote.

‘Say nothing for now, Trev.

They are almost certainly list...