Chapter 24: Futile Endeavours

As the sun slowly descended on the western horizon, casting an amber glow across the landscape, Charmane knew it was time to find respite for herself and her companions. They had been fighting bandits all day long. Now, with the day's trials behind them, the rogue decided it was prudent to set up camp near the tranquil lake that shimmered invitingly in the fading light.

Charmane guided her weary group towards the serene waters, the rhythmic sound of the lapping waves served as a soothing melody, easing the tension that clung to their travel-worn bodies. As they approached the lakeshore, their newest addition, Viconia, caught Charmane's eye. The drow cleric, clad in dirt-covered leather, seemed to have embraced the earth itself during her escape. The woman would likely appreciate the opportunity to cleanse herself before donning the enchanted armour Charmane had decided to give her.

The women indulged in a refreshing bath by the secluded lakeside, where the lush trees provided ample privacy from the camp. Charmane allowed herself a moment of relaxation, soothing her weary muscles after a long day of vigorous tree hopping. Hunger gnawed at her, reminding her that it was Edwin's turn to take charge of the cooking duties for the evening. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she fondly recalled the first time the haughty mage had been thrust into the role of the camp cook.

It was during their journey a few days after bidding farewell to Xan. Among the unbroken rules of Charmane's party was the obligation for each member to take turns cooking, and on that particular occasion, fate had bestowed the task upon Edwin. The entire group had gathered anxiously around the crackling campfire, their eyes fixed upon the Thayan wizard, their minds curious as to what culinary adventure awaited them.

Edwin, having shed his voluminous red robes, stood before them with an air of confidence. His slender but tall frame exuded a certain elegance, accentuated by the sleekness of his black shirt, whose gold embroidery was just as extravagant as those of his red robes. The fitted black breeches and black leather boots he wore complemented his overall flamboyance. Unlike the typical bald Red wizard, much to Charmane's delight, Edwin sported thick, dark brown hair, which was meticulously combed to perfection. If the mage had any of Thay's infamous magical tattoos, it was hidden behind the gleaming golden circlet on his brow.

Edwin approached the fire with an air of disdainful confidence. "A noble mage of Thay, reduced to the menial task of preparing sustenance for these... chimps. The agony I endure!"

With a wave of his hand, he conjured a small magical flame to ignite the firewood and the flames dancing to his command. As the fire crackled and the scent of burning wood filled the air, the party members exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to expect.

Taking a deep breath, Edwin surveyed the provisions laid out before him. His brow furrowed with distaste. "If only I could transmute these ingredients into something more befitting of my refined tastes. Alas, I am surrounded by barbarian palates." he muttered

Imoen, couldn't resist chiming in. "Hey, Edwin! Don't ya go burnin' the food, or y' might end up castin' a 'Fireball' right in yer own belly! Hehe."

Edwin shot a withering glance at Imoen. "Keep your ignorant comments to yourself, child. I shall not stoop to your level of culinary ineptitude."

Khalid spoke up, a worried look on his face. "P-perhaps we should lend Edwin a helping hand. We wouldn't want any mishaps, would we?"

Edwin, annoyed by the suggestion, brushed Khalid off. "I assure you, elf, I am more than capable of handling this menial task on my own." he declared, his voice laced with a touch of haughtiness. "The Odesseiron lineage has long indulged in the most exquisite gastronomic pleasures. Consider yourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to savour a taste of such culinary excellence."

Edwin began to weave his magic around the ingredients, muttering incantations under his breath. Sparks of magic flickered around him as he infused his arcane prowess into the cooking process.

After toiling over his culinary experiment, Edwin finally unveiled his creation to the expectant group, his countenance radiating a mixture of triumph and self-assurance. Charmane, flashed a diplomatic smile as she graciously accepted the bowl offered to her. The sight before her was... peculiar, to say the least. The pheasant, once a majestic bird, now bore the marks of its encounter with Edwin's culinary magic—its skin charred to a crisp, exuding an aroma that defied categorisation.

Edwin, undeterred by the dubious outcome, sampled a portion of his creation with unwavering resolve. A mere shrug of his shoulders and a flicker of disdain crossed his features. "Ah, a minor setback," he declared, his voice tinged with a touch of arrogance. "Clearly, the fault lies with the subpar quality of the ingredients I was forced to work with." He cast a sidelong glance at his fellow companions, as if daring them to question him.

"Your cooking skills rival your humility, Edwin. It's truly a sight to behold," Jaheira quipped as she finished her mouthful, unable to resist a jibe.

Charmane gingerly took a small portion, her expression a masterclass in composure. As she took a hesitant bite, her palate experienced a whirlwind of flavours, each more perplexing than the last. It was a symphony of culinary oddities, a dance between the realms of taste and texture. She struggled to find words to describe the dish, "Ah, Edwin, it's uh... truly a work of art... of sorts," she remarked, her jaw straining against the tough texture. "It's so…er… robust, I could use it as a makeshift kosh. Perfect for a surprise attack, perhaps?" She said, struggling to contain her amusement, desperately trying not to burst into laughter.

Edwin, still refusing to admit defeat, muttered under his breath, "These uncultured swines could not possibly appreciate the subtleties of my culinary genius. They know not what they miss."

Imoen couldn't help joining in with a cheeky grin, "Edwin, I reckon if we ever come across a dragon, we can just feed it your cooking, and it might keel over from sheer shock!" She said and burst into laughter.

Edwin's face contorted with annoyance as he shot a glare at Imoen. "I see your wit remains as sharp as a spoon, girl."

Charmane, trying to maintain a diplomatic tone, chimed in, "Let's not dwell on Edwin's cooking… misadventures any longer, shall we? We appreciate the effort, Edwin, even if the results are... unconventional. We'll find a way to make the best of it."

Edwin, feeling slightly defeated but refusing to show it, muttered under his breath, "Just you wait, you ungrateful orangutans. One day, I'll conjure a feast that will leave you begging for more. One day…"

Edwin had just finished cooking and a somewhat appetising aroma filled the campsite as the women returned from their bath, their bodies cleansed of the day's grime and dirt. Viconia, looking fresh and breathtakingly beautiful, settled herself by the fire and declared in a commanding tone, "Male, fetch me something to eat."

Charmane, looking amused, glanced over at Edwin. The mage looked visibly stunned as he stared at Viconia and seemed uncertain of how to respond, "Er, well, my dear, Viconia, you see… Ah!" Edwin exclaimed, glancing at Khalid. "Khalid, be a good little elf and fetch our lovely companion her bowl, won't you?" the mage then turned to Viconia, his voice low and seductive, "It is a beautiful night for … er… dinner," Edwin paused, stumbling over his own words, "Yes, dinner. Together. A tantalizing opportunity for our minds to indulge in stimulating conversation while our taste buds succumb to the sinful pleasures of the culinary masterpiece I have exquisitely crafted."

Khalid shifted as if to move when Jaheira snapped, "I'm sure the drow can fetch her meals by herself." her glare at Khalid brooked no argument.

Edwin, responded with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Hmph. Well, my dark enchantress, since the 'peasants' seem to be occupied, I suppose we have no other choice." He walked over and handed the bowl to Viconia, his annoyance veiled beneath a façade of compliance.

As she accepted her bowl, Viconia's expression turned icy. "Were this the Underdark, your tongue would be severed for such audacity," Viconia declared, "Tis a pity it is not so. Know this, mage, you are not to address me in such a manner lest I allow it."

Imoen sniggered as Edwin scowled darkly, "The audacity of these wenches," he hissed to himself, "A sliver of beauty, and they think they can order me about. Edwin do this, Edwin do that…"

Meanwhile, Charmane observed the unfolding scene with amusement but also a twinge of discontent. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at Edwin's attempts at flirting, however, a palpable sense of annoyance began to creep over her as she watched Edwin obediently hand the bowl over to Viconia. Charmane was surprised at the relief she felt as Viconia firmly rejected his advance.

Fortunately, dinner turned out to be somewhat edible, although the taste left much to be desired. Despite the lacking flavour and her foul mood, Charmane found herself devouring the food with an insatiable hunger. After a long day of battles, the hunger pangs overpowered any concerns she had about Edwin's culinary skills or his willingness to cater to Viconia's whims. As she savoured each bite, Charmane focused on the day ahead, reminding herself that her quest took precedence over any personal distractions.