The woods near Silver Brook Retreat were unlike anything I'd ever seen before, even with all my wandering back home. The trees here were ancient, their trunks wide and their bark silvered with age. The canopy above shimmered faintly with what looked like soft blue fireflies, but I knew they were merely trickles of light filtering through the leaves, reflecting off the soft white flowers that grew in abundance at the base of the trees.
The air smelled faintly sweet, a mix of blooming Moonblossoms and damp earth. The light here shifted strangely, a soft, almost ethereal glow coming from the flowers and the shimmering brook nearby. It felt like stepping into a dream—a place caught between reality and something out of a fairytale.
"Where are we going to find dessert in the wild?" Elara's voice broke the silence, her tone filled with curiosity and skepticism.
"You'll see," I said with a grin, unable to hide my excitement. I gestured for her to follow but placed a finger to my lips. "Quiet now."
She frowned but obeyed, her eyes fixed on me with a mix of puzzlement and anticipation. Her expression seemed to say, What are you planning?
I turned back toward the grove ahead, holding up my hand. "Stay here," I whispered softly. "I'll be back."
Elara tilted her head in confusion but nodded. She watched me closely as I turned my focus to my surroundings, my resonance skill flaring to life. It started as a faint pulse—subtle movements of life just above us. My resonance skill picked up the delicate fluttering of dozens of tiny creatures, each moving in perfect unison. The vibrations in the air were like whispers, soft and melodic, radiating from high up in one of the ancient trees nearby.
I honed my focus, tracing the source. My skill mapped out the location clearly—a hive, nestled in the crook of one of the tallest trees in the grove. The hive itself was a smooth, golden orb, shaped like a droplet of honey suspended from the tree's branches. The rhythmic hum surrounding it told me the creatures inside were active.
I caught sight of the Gleamwings as I crept closer. They were even more mesmerizing than I'd imagined. The Gleamwings were small, no larger than a person's hand. Their bodies shimmered with opalescent hues—blues, silvers, and soft purples that glowed faintly in the dim light of the woods. Their wings, delicate and translucent, reflected the light like shards of crystal, creating a dazzling display as they moved.
They danced around the hive in an intricate pattern, their movements deliberate and coordinated, as if they were performing some kind of ritual. Their glow wasn't just for show—it acted as a natural defense, their light disorienting predators and warding off anyone foolish enough to disturb them. The honey they produced, Starlight Honey, was legendary. It was said to be imbued with the essence of the moon itself, its taste unmatched and its properties rumored to have mild healing effects. But harvesting it was no small feat. The Gleamwings were incredibly territorial and known to attack in swarms if they felt threatened.
I took a deep breath and began my approach. I crouched low, moving slowly and deliberately, careful not to make any sudden movements that might alert the Gleamwings. My resonance skill mapped out their movements in real-time, giving me a sense of when to move and when to pause. I reached into my satchel and pulled out a small piece of Dreamwood Bark I had picked up earlier. Lighting it with my emberstone, I let the soft, calming smoke waft toward the hive. The Gleamwings' hum softened, their movements slowing as the soothing effects of the smoke took hold.
Carefully, I climbed the tree, using my resonance skill to gauge the stability of the branches as I went. When I reached the hive, I took out a clean leaf pouch and a small, curved knife. The hive was warm to the touch, radiating a faint golden glow. I worked quickly but gently, cutting away a small portion of the honeycomb that oozed with thick, golden honey. The Gleamwings stirred slightly, their wings fluttering with faint agitation, but the Dreamwood smoke kept them calm. I whispered a silent thanks to the creatures and began my descent, cradling the pouch of honey carefully in my hands.
I stepped out of the shadows of the grove and found Elara waiting exactly where I had left her, her eyes lighting up as she saw me.
"What did you find?" she asked eagerly, rushing over to me.
I held up the pouch with a grin. "Starlight Honey. Fresh from a Gleamwing hive."
Her eyes widened in awe. "You're joking."
"See for yourself." I opened the pouch slightly, letting the golden glow of the honey spill out. The sweet aroma hit us immediately, and she gasped softly.
"You actually did it." She stared at me in wonder. "That's... incredible."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I did promise you dessert, didn't I?"
Elara reached out to take a small taste, her eyes closing as the honey melted on her tongue. When she opened them again, there was a rare smile on her face—one that wasn't shadowed by fear or grief.
"This," she said softly, "is the best thing I've ever tasted."
"Well, Princess," I said with a grin, "it's only fitting for someone like you."
She rolled her eyes, but the smile didn't leave her face as we made our way back to the riverbank, ready to enjoy the fruits of our little adventure.
**
The princess stared at me with wide, astonished eyes, her expression filled with wonder.
"How are you so good at this? Harvesting Gleamwing honey, of all things? It's so rare, and it costs an absolute fortune in the capital. Even I, a princess, have only had it a handful of times in my life."
I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly. "Well... I cheat a little. My resonance skill is practically made for stuff like this. Plus, I've had a few close encounters with Gleamwings back in the day. They're tricky, but once you get the hang of their patterns, it's not so bad."
She tilted her head, fascinated. "You're saying you've done this before?"
"Yeah, a few times. My resonance skill makes it easier to find them, even though they're known for being impossible to track and, well, kind of terrifying to deal with."
The princess gave me an almost reverent look, then smiled. "You're amazing. Do you realize you could sell this and buy yourself an entire plot of land in the capital? Starlight Honey fetches an outrageous price."
I froze mid-step, blinking at her in shock. "Wait... they sell for that much?"
She nodded with an almost amused expression. "Yes. In the capital, even a single vial of Starlight Honey can go for..." She rattled off a figure that made my jaw drop. "It's considered a delicacy among nobles, and apothecaries would pay even more because of its rare healing properties."
I stared at the pouch in my hand with a mixture of regret and disbelief. "I didn't know... I could've been filthy rich by now. Like... set-for-life rich," I sighed wistfully, shaking my head.
The princess couldn't help but laugh at my expression. "Yes, you absolutely could have been."
"I feel like I've been scammed by the universe," I muttered, groaning. "There were these merchants who passed by my village once, and I sold them some honey after finding it by accident."
Her curiosity piqued, she leaned closer. "How much did you sell it for?"
I winced, looking away in shame. "I don't even want to say. It's too embarrassing."
"Come on," she urged, giggling. "Tell me!"
I let out a long, defeated sigh and muttered the number under my breath.
Her laughter burst out so hard that she doubled over, clutching her sides. "You... you sold it for that? That wouldn't even buy a loaf of bread in the capital!"
"Yeah, yeah," I said, rolling my eyes as her laughter echoed through the woods. "Go ahead, laugh it up. Mock my ignorance."
But despite my mock annoyance, I couldn't help but smile. Seeing her like this—free, joyful, and carefree—was worth more than any amount of gold I might've earned from selling that honey. She looked like she'd left behind all her worries, even if only for a moment.
"I really love your smile," I blurted out before I could stop myself.
The words hung in the air for a second, and then... she tripped.
"Princess!" I exclaimed, rushing to her side to help her up. "Are you okay? What happened?"
She looked up at me with wide, accusing eyes, her face as red as the sunset. "Dangerous," she whispered.
"What?" I asked, utterly baffled.
"You're dangerous!" she repeated, pointing at me as her blush deepened.
Her reaction caught me completely off guard, but I couldn't help the laugh that slipped out. "I'm dangerous? Princess, you're the one who almost fell over your own feet."
"Shut up!" she huffed, crossing her arms as she turned away, still blushing furiously.
As we stood there, the absurdity of the moment made my chest feel lighter. If I could keep her laughing and smiling like this, even for a little while longer, maybe the world didn't feel so heavy after all.
**
We were back near the river, where I'd hidden the fish earlier. They were neatly wrapped in the fragrant silverbark leaves, which not only helped keep them fresh but would also add a subtle, smoky sweetness to their flavor when roasted. I crouched down to retrieve them, carefully unwrapping one of the bundles to inspect the fish.
Satisfied they were still in perfect condition, I turned to prepare a proper roasting pit. First, I dug out a shallow hole near the riverbank, away from the wind to keep the flames controlled. I used smooth stones from the water to form a makeshift fire pit. It wasn't perfect, but it was more than enough for the task.
On our way back, I'd found a patch of emerald herb, a wild plant known for its sharp, earthy aroma and its ability to bring out the natural sweetness of fish. I'd plucked a handful of its delicate, feathery leaves and now crushed them lightly between my fingers, releasing their pungent, mouthwatering scent.
The princess, standing nearby, watched me work with rapt attention. She'd long since stopped complaining about the "smell of fish" and now seemed more intrigued than anything else.
"What are you doing now?" she asked, leaning closer.
"Enhancing the flavor," I replied, grinning. "This stuff—emerald herb—makes all the difference. It's like magic for your taste buds."
She wrinkled her nose but said nothing, clearly reserving judgment.
I rubbed the herb along the fish, coating it generously. The oil from the crushed leaves seeped into the flesh, promising a depth of flavor that even a noble palate couldn't scoff at. Next, I layered the fish back into the silverbark leaves, tying them snugly with some thin reeds I'd collected earlier.
The fire was already crackling gently, the dry wood I'd gathered igniting quickly with the help of an emberstone I kept for emergencies. I placed the wrapped fish on a makeshift grill I fashioned from sturdy branches I'd propped across the fire pit. The heat from the flames began to seep through the leaves, releasing a tantalizing aroma that made my stomach growl loudly.
"That smells... incredible," the princess admitted, her eyes wide as she stared at the roasting fish.
"It'll taste even better," I assured her, poking the fire lightly with a stick to keep the flames steady. "Just wait a little while longer."
We sat by the riverbank as the fish cooked, the rich scent of roasted meat and sweet, earthy herbs filling the air. The princess occasionally glanced at me, then at the fire, clearly trying to hide her growing impatience.
"It's almost done," I teased. "Good things take time."
"Well, I hope it's worth it," she muttered, crossing her arms, though the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her anticipation.
When the fish was finally ready, I carefully removed the bundles from the grill, setting them on a large, flat stone to cool for a moment. The leaves were charred on the outside, but as I peeled them back, steam wafted out, carrying with it the intoxicating aroma of perfectly cooked fish. The emerald herb had done its job, infusing the tender flesh with a savory, slightly sweet complexity.
I handed the princess one of the bundles, and she hesitated for only a moment before taking it.
"Go on," I urged. "Try it."
She took a small bite, and her eyes widened almost immediately. "This... this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her earlier reservations forgotten as she devoured the fish with surprising enthusiasm.
I couldn't help but grin. "Told you. Farm boys know their way around a fire."
She gave me a mock glare between bites but said nothing, too busy enjoying the meal. Seeing her so happy, even after everything she'd been through, made the effort worth it.