Chapter 246:Camping.
The convoy settled into camp as the last light of the sun disappeared beyond the distant hills, leaving the sky painted in fading shades of orange and purple.
The rocky formation they had chosen provided considerably better protection than Silver had expected, with several enormous slabs of stone rising around the rear and sides of the camp and leaving only one broad approach from the direction of the road.
It was defensible enough that nobody seemed particularly concerned about spending the night there. The vehicles were positioned in a loose semicircle, creating another barrier around the sleeping areas, while several of the Rank Four contractors took responsibility for checking the surrounding terrain before everyone settled down.
Silver stepped away from their vehicle and stretched his shoulders. After spending most of the day behind the wheel, his body appreciated the movement.
Ravenna climbed out after him and looked around.
"This isn’t so bad."
Silver glanced at the rocks.
"No, it could be worse."
"Definitely, i just hope our travels would be this peaceful."
Antony stepped out of the back seat and immediately stretched both arms above his head.
"I have decided that driving is the worst invention humanity has ever created."
Silver looked at him.
"You weren’t driving."
"Exactly, I prefer flying. Do you think I could make a good pilot."
Ravenna laughed. Antony looked offended.
"What?"
"You’ve been sitting comfortably in the back, I don’t think you’d survive being control in the air."
"What do you take me for."
Silver shook his head.
"You’re impossible."
"I prefer saying I’m interesting."
The three of them began setting up their camp.
Silver had already decided that they wouldn’t share one tent with Antony. The man’s personality alone was enough reason to maintain some distance, and after everything that had happened during their journey, Silver wasn’t interested in waking up to find Antony standing over him for some inexplicable reason.
He took one tent from the storage space and began putting it together while Ravenna helped.
A second tent was prepared several meters away.
Antony looked between them.
"You’re really giving me my own tent?"
Silver glanced at him.
"Yes, I thought it would be better for you to sleep on your own."
"That’s thoughtful of you, thank you."
"It’s for our safety don’t get ahead of yourself."
Antony frowned.
"How am I a danger?"
Ravenna answered before Silver could.
"You’re unpredictable."
Antony smiled.
"Thank you."
"That wasn’t a compliment."
"I accepted it anyway."
Silver finished securing the tent.
"Your tent is there."
Antony looked toward it.
"Fine."
He wandered away almost immediately. Silver watched him go.
"Where is he going?"
Ravenna shrugged.
"Probably to bother someone."
"Probably."
Silver returned his attention to their own camp.
The other contractors had begun preparing their own meals. Several portable cooking units were set up between the vehicles, while others simply opened prepared food containers.
The other contractors didn’t appear particularly interested in socializing. They had spent enough time traveling together that everyone seemed to know one another.
Silver and Ravenna were still outsiders. Antony, somehow, was the only one making any effort to change that.
He disappeared for nearly twenty minutes. Silver had almost forgotten about him when he returned carrying something over his shoulder.
Ravenna stared.
"What’s that?"
Antony dropped the bundle onto the ground.
"Food."
Silver looked down. It was a large piece of uncooked beast meat wrapped in a thick layer of cloth.
Silver raised an eyebrow.
"Where did you get that?"
"One of the guys gave it to me, they’re a sweet bunch."
Ravenna looked at Antony.
"You already made friends?"
Antony smiled proudly.
"Obviously, I have the charisma."
Silver stared at him.
"How?"
"I talked."
"That’s it?"
"Yes."
Ravenna laughed.
"Somehow, I believe that."
Antony pointed at the meat.
"They said they had too much and didn’t feel like cooking all of it."
Silver crouched and examined it. The meat was fresh. It had probably been harvested during one of their earlier hunts and there was enough to feed all three of them.
Silver looked at Ravenna.
"Want me to cook it?"
She nodded immediately.
"Yes."
Antony grinned.
"I knew you’d say yes."
Silver glanced at him.
"You’ve eaten my cooking before."
"No, but I don’t mind being the poison taster." He sat down. "I’m not stupid enough to refuse."
Silver took the meat toward their cooking area. He cleaned it first, removing the tougher outer portions and cutting it into several thick pieces.
Ravenna watched him.
"You’ve gotten better at this."
Silver smiled.
"I’ve had practice in my head."
"I hope your mind and hand can coordinate."
Silver laughed. He reached into their supplies and pulled out several seasonings. The ingredients were basic: salt, dried herbs, and a small amount of powdered spice.
Nothing particularly impressive but Silver knew how to use what he had.
His Advanced Field Cooking skill activated almost instinctively.
His movements became smoother. He cut the meat into portions of roughly equal size. He seasoned each piece carefully, then he placed them onto the heated surface. The smell spread through the camp almost immediately.
Antony’s head turned.
"That smells incredible."
Silver didn’t look at him.
"Wait."
"I’m waiting."
"You’ve said that three times."
"I’m encouraging you."
Ravenna laughed.
Silver focused on the cooking. The skill wasn’t simply increasing his ability to follow recipes. It had improved his understanding of ingredients, heat, timing, and preparation.
He knew exactly when to turn each piece, when the surface had developed the right texture, and knew when to lower the heat.
Even with the basic ingredients available, the final result was far better than anything they had eaten during their earlier travels.
When Silver finally placed the cooked meat onto their plates, Antony immediately reached for his portion.
Ravenna slapped his hand.
"Wait."
Antony froze.
"Why?"
"Silver hasn’t finished."
Antony looked at Silver. Silver was trying not to laugh.
"She’s right."
Antony sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Silver finished dividing the meat, then they finally began eating. Antony’s expression changed after the first bite.
He stared at the food, then at Silver, then back at the food.
"You’re ridiculous."
Silver raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"This is good."
Ravenna smiled.
"I told you."
Antony took another bite.
"This is better than most of the food I’ve had in the sanctuaries."
"You’re exaggerating."
"No."
He pointed his fork toward Silver.
"You’ve been hiding this."
Silver laughed.
"I didn’t realize cooking was a secret."
"It should be."
Ravenna looked at Silver.
"I think you should cook more often."
Silver smiled.
"I don’t mind."
The three continued eating.
The meal itself was simple, but the atmosphere was unexpectedly comfortable. For the first time since leaving Delta Two, Silver didn’t feel like they were merely traveling with strangers.