We had a better breakfast today than we had for the last three months. It was the first day of spring. Winter had finally released its grip, leaving the world a muddy, slushy mess.

  Walking in the mud was disgusting. My little legs sank deep with every step, the cold slime seeping into my boots.

  'I could ask to be carried,' I thought, eyeing Nora’s warm arms. 'I'm a small kid.'

  But I had my pride. I was going to be a big brother. I trudged on, ignoring the squelch.

  The Hut was bustling. Three new children were running around, two girls and a boy. They were Lily’s new responsibility, the "Little Squad," replacing the ones who had aged out.

  Lily was already there, organizing herbs.

  Then, the door opened. Pete walked in.

  He was hiding something behind his back, his cheeks flushed pink. He walked up to Lily and revealed a handful of wildflowers.

  "I missed you, my love," he mumbled, handing them over.

  Lily’s face turned the same shade of pink. She took the flowers, smiling shyly. "I missed you too."

  Pete kissed her hand, actually kissed it!, and sighed. "I won't be able to see you all day like before. My family talked to the Elder. He said I could build a house... our house... in a plot near the Hut. So I start building tomorrow."

  "Any requests?" he asked softly.

  "Just that you're there with me," Lily whispered.

  I watched from the corner, awestruck.

  'He’s building a house? He’s what, nineteen? Twenty? And he’s building a home for his future wife?'

  I looked down at my own muddy boots. 'Men in this world are built different.'

  One by one, the other kids arrived. But something was missing.

  Silas.

  'Right. He's ten. He graduated.'

  It felt strange not seeing him in the corner with his puzzles. The era of the original squad was officially over.

  I needed to work. I wanted to place my new alarm runes around the house perimeter. But writing directly on rocks in the mud was inefficient.

  'Wooden slates,' I decided. 'I can write the runes on wood, then hide the slates under rocks. Cleaner. Portable.'

  The Hut had slates for taking notes, but they were too big.

  I waddled over to the lovebirds.

  "Hi, Lily," I said.

  She picked me up and planted a kiss on my cheek. "Hi, Viv. What's up?"

  "We'll make Kuku Sibzamini today," I whispered conspiratorially. "For lunch."

  Lily’s eyes sparkled.

  "And," I added, "I could pass you and Pete extra, By accident."

  Lily narrowed her eyes, smirking. "You little briber. What do you want?"

  I pulled three slate from behind my back.

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  "Cut these," I said. "Into three pieces each. Please."

  "That's all?" She laughed. "Pete!"

  Pete took the slates. He cut them into neat thirds using a big knife in under three minutes.

  'Show off.'

  I took my wood pieces and after saying thank you, retreated to my corner.

  It was close to lunchtime. I signaled Nora to start the Kuku. We were meeting the merchants later, and Kael needed to taste my victory.

  But before lunch could be served, the door opened again.

  A tall, elegant figure walked in. It was Callista.

  Something was off. The walk was different. The jaw was squarer. And when "she" spoke to Alicia, the voice was deep and masculine.

  "Alicia," he boomed.

  Alicia looked up, grinning. She waved me over.

  "Vivian," she said. "This is Rhys. Callista's older brother. He is the Head Chef at the Elendor Academy."

  I stared at him.

  'The Head Chef? Of the Academy?'

  He looked down at me, inspecting me like a slab of meat. "This is the prodigy?"

  "Yep," Alicia popped the 'p'. "Go play, Viv."

  I retreated, my mind racing. 'Whatever Alicia is plotting, it involves food. And me.'

  I managed to finish inscribing one slate before lunch arrived.

  Oliver walked in, followed closely by a familiar figure.

  Kael.

  The spice merchant looked tired. He greeted Alicia and Nora, then immediately started apologizing.

  "Elder Harlan found me this morning," Kael sighed, accepting a cup of tea. "He was screaming. Cursing. Said I brought the poison to the village."

  "It wasn't your fault, Kael," Oliver assured him. "Harlan is just... Harlan."

  Lily and Pete helped Nora bring out the food. The smell of fried potatoes filled the room.

  Kael took a bite. He froze.

  "This flavor..." he murmured. "It's incredible. What is it?"

  "Kuku Sibzamini," Nora said proudly. "It uses your turmeric."

  Kael’s face fell. He put down his fork.

  "It's delicious," he said slowly. "But... the deal was for the boy to create a dish. Not his mother."

  Alicia leaned forward. "Vivian did create it. He told Nora exactly what to do."

  Kael looked at Nora, then at Oliver. They both nodded.

  "I don't believe you," Kael said flatly. "But fine. I'll make a new deal. If he can come up with another new dish, using the new spice I let him choose today... I will give him that spice for free. And I will let him ask for one more ."

  "But if he can't," Kael added, eyeing Alicia, "I will know you were lying about this one."

  Nora and Oliver started to protest. "That's absurd! He's a baby!"

  But I was smiling.

  'Two spices? You fool.'

  "Accepted," I said clearly.

  The room went silent. Kael looked at me, surprised.

  Rhys, the Head Chef, wiped his mouth elegantly with a napkin. He turned his gaze to me.

  "Did you really create this?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with professional curiosity. Then he turned to Nora. "Walk me through the technique."

  He looked like a kid who had found a shiny new toy.

  I took the opportunity. I slid off my chair, snuck a few extra patties to Pete and Lily, and tried to blend in with the children heading for the door.

  I made it three steps onto the porch.

  I was swept off my feet.

  I looked up into Nora’s glaring eyes.

  "What do you think you're doing?" she asked.

  I glared back. "I'm going to the jungle. To Forage With the kids."

  Kael, watching from the doorway, looked shocked. "What about the challenge? The spice?"

  "Spices aren't important right now," Nora snapped, not looking at him. She turned back to me. "Tell me, young man, why did you think you could go?"

  "You promised," I said, crossing my arms. "That starting this year I could go with them."

  Oliver tried to intervene. "Nora, maybe let him..."

  Nora shot him a Look. He shut up instantly.

  "Tell me exactly what I promised," she said to me.

  I recited it. "That starting this year I could go to the jungle with the other kids."

  "I said," Nora corrected gently but firmly, "you could go after your birthday. Which hasn't happened yet."

  My shoulders slumped.

  'Technically correct. The worst kind of correct.'

  "So today," she said, setting me down, "you are going with your boring parents to shop. Okay?"

  "Fine," I grumbled.

  We went to the market.

  Nora and Oliver tried to interest me in toys, clothes, candy. I ignored it all.

  We reached Kael’s stall.

  He had a new shipment. Saffron was there, gleaming red gold. But I had my eyes on something else.

  Sitting in a neglected corner, dusty and forgotten, was a basket of dried red pods.

  Chilies.

  "Those," I pointed.

  Kael frowned. "Chilies? Kid, those aren't food. We use them to drive rats out of the grain stores. They burn."

  "I want them," I insisted.

  "Please," Kael said to Nora. "Don't let him eat these. It's cruel."

  I had an idea.

  "How much is black pepper?" I asked innocently. "More expensive? Or are chilies more expensive?"

  Kael, wanting to steer me away from the 'poison', answered quickly. "Of course the black pepper is more expensive! It's a culinary luxury. Chilies are pest control."

  "Okay," I smiled. "I'll take the black pepper."

  Kael blinked. threw the chilies under a rug to hide them, and handed me a pouch of peppercorns.

  I turned to Oliver.

  "For my birthday, " I asked sweetly. "Buy me chilies?"

  Oliver rubbed his temples. "You are determined to make us eat that, aren't you?"

  But he bought them.

  I held two pouches. Black pepper. Chilies.

  I looked at Kael.

  "I can ask for anything if I win, right?"

  "Yes," Kael said, looking nervous.

  'He is not a good merchant,' I thought.