Stone… Err, Knife Soup 2 of 2

#Fanfic #WanderingWitch
#Wss366 redolent

“Now for the first ingredient,” I said as I looked about for a stone. What met my eyes were cobblestones filthy with cow manure. That would never do. Even I wouldn’t eat something made with such a foul ingredient.

I quickly opened my bag and produced… “A knife the fairies gave me,” I said. “It was used to cut the heavenly fruit served to Queen Mauve. In acknowledgment, she blessed it with the property to infuse broth with the most wonderful flavors.”

"But alas, it will just be broth—flavorful, nutritious, but thin," I said, dropping the knife into the pot with a flourish and stirred the water. "If only we had a few potatoes."

A thin woman nudged the man next to her, whispering something in his ear.

He nodded, ran off, and soon reappeared with a few potatoes. “Been saving them, just in case. But if you can feed us all, then it’s worth it.”

I took the potatoes and frowned. My knife was in the pot. "Can someone lend me a knife?"

A boy soon produced one, and the potatoes went into the pot, skin and all.

“It’s a shame,” I said. “A good potato soup requires carrots, but this will be filling even without them.”

Another farmer ran off, and soon, I had a bunch of carrots, which also went into the broth.

“Perhaps someone has some leeks or onions,” I said. “Oh, what a wonderful stew it would be with just a few.”

As before, I soon had my ingredients, as well as a head of cabbage, mushrooms, and a rutabaga.

I took a sip. "Wonderful! The flavors imparted by the knife blend so well with your ingredients. It needs only one more thing.”

I made a show of checking my robes, revealing empty pockets. “The fairies took off with my salt and pepper. What is soup without those?” They might as well take the blame, I thought, for lack of spices.

Several people turned on a man who was slightly better dressed than the rest, and I do mean slightly. “Well, Mayor?” they demanded.

“Yes, yes, of course,” he said and headed off, soon to reappear with the requested items.

“I have some rosemary,” a young woman approached, offering me a sprig.

“And I have sage,” someone else said, thrusting it into my hands.

“Mm, this smells good,” I said, adding the seasoning. Indeed, the air was #redolent with the savory smell of soup.

Taking one last stir, I announced: "It should be ready by the time someone fetches bowls."

And as for me, belly full, I was content. I scooped up my knife, saying, “Your generosity fills my heart with gladness. There will be no need to erect a monument to me,” and left town.

And who was this fabulous cook? This modest genius? A procurer of ingredients from thin air and thinner peasants?

It was I, Elaina, the Wandering Witch!

#TootFic #MicroFiction #FairyTale #Mythpunk #NMFic