Chapter 133: Washing Meat
They didn’t get a single species of meat for the celebration. These beastmen had caught different species of meat, ranging from wild boar, deer, wild goat, wild birds and the likes. All caught and brought to the kitchen for preparation.
While Ayra majestically sat down there on the seat, the cooks brought forth the natural seasoning she had recommended they get.
"Are they okay..?" The rabbit chef asked while they presented them to her. There were rock salt, wild garlic, wild onions, ginger root, wild pepper berries, aromatic herbs (wild thyme, rosemary-like herbs, sage, bay leaves), fragrant tree leaves, lemons or sour wild fruit, honey, forest mushrooms and edible flower petals (for garnish).
Ayra scanned through the natural seasoning for a while as they stared at her, anxious.
The warrior beastmen who had gotten the seasonings were there. Standing and staring anxiously to know the verdict of their work.
"Does the female like it...?" One of them asked, tilting his head and leaning closer.
"I think she does..? I don’t know...?" Another added while they stared in anticipation.
Soon Ayra let out a smile while she stared up at the beastmen. "Good," she nodded, giving them a pass as they instantly flashed smiles.
"Yes!" One of the beastmen flashed a smile, contented while they had their mini celebration.
The warrior beastmen had discovered how fun gathering ingredients could be and instantly considered doing it often.
"Maybe we should gather more ingredients for the kitchen," one of the warriors suggested.
Another nodded. "Yes! We certainly should!"
But Lord Zark cast them a cold glare and immediately they stayed quiet and stared down.
Ayra smiled, shaking her head as she continued with the investigation. She checked the vegetables the other team had gathered and the cooking fat. And after a while also gave them a pass.
The warrior beastmen who had done the gathering of the ingredients were pleased.
Ayra was done and was about proceeding to the main cooking phase when Lord Zark leaned closer to ask, "The meat...."
He brought up as everyone paused and stared at him. Lord Zark pointed at the meat. "You only looked at it without saying anything...."
"..."
"..."
There was an awkward silence as Ayra raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Lord Zark blinked as he said, "You should say something on the meat I caught as well..."
"..."
"..."
Lord Vale couldn’t help it. He burst out into a smile while he stared at Lord Zark. Lord Ash also had the same expression.
"Well, I didn’t know the dragon lord is so keen on getting the female’s praise," Lord Vale shook his head.
Lord Zark kept a calm expression as he stared at Lord Vale. "I’m not... I just..." He couldn’t speak as he looked away.
Ayra smiled as she stared down at the meat before her which was gotten by the dragon lord. She smiled as she casually said, "Good meat. I love this meat so much, I think it’s the best meat I’ve seen in my life! Nicely caught!"
She showered him with praises while smiling at him. And as Lord Zark stared to meet her gaze, he couldn’t help but grow shy about it.
His cheeks flushed from the comments as the dragon slowly stared down, avoiding her gaze as he said with a nod, "Mmm...."
[Ding]
[Mate stat improved]
[Dragon Lord’s affection level has been improved!]
[Red dragon: +2 = 62%]
"..." Lord Vale and Ash blinked as they heard the praise from the female. They had realized at the moment that they also wanted some compliments from the female as they also worked hard to get the meat.
And immediately, the two of them turned to Ayra while saying at the same time, "Say something to us as well!"
---
The preparation of the meat kicked off. Ayra sat down on her seat comfortably with the cub on her lap while she proceeded with giving her instructions.
She started off by suggesting they wash the meat with clean river water.
Without hesitation, the warrior beastmen who were on standby instantly volunteered to do so. They took the meats and rushed down to the nearby river to wash it clean.
Ayra had followed them, standing with the cub standing beside her while watching as the massive washing session took place.
"Water.. water!" Ally was always seeking to escape her grasp and run towards the river where the washing was taking place.
"No, you can’t go there," Ayra endlessly pulled her back while Commander Lynn stood close beside them for protection.
The three tribe lords were also standing close by with them. As Rai had rushed into the water to help wash the meat. He was more than happy to do so.
"Wa!!" Ally stood there. She had given up on running off as the strong tall beastmen around didn’t seem to be letting her off easily.
"Wa!" The cub smiled happily while admiring those cleaning.
Lord Ash leaned to watch the cub admiring those washing the meat.
Lord Vale smiled. "I think the little one likes the washing of the meat. And also likes those washing too. She’s impressed."
Lord Ash slowly nodded as he got up to his feet. "I also think so." Immediately he turned to them as he said, "Stay here. I’ll go and wash some meat as well to make my cub happy."
"..."
Ayra and the rest stared at him, speechless.
"Huh?" Lord Vale asked.
"Anything to make little Ally smile," he said as he adjusted the leg and hand side of his primitive clothing and then set off into the water.
"!!!"
The beastmen around were most shocked. They couldn’t believe their eyes.
Lord Ash was actually joining them in doing such cleaning work? They simply stared at each other in shock and stared at him. No one said a thing.
Lord Vale sighed as he shook his head. "I guess you can’t stop him when it comes to little Ally, can you?" He smirked as he stared down at little Ally.
Little Ally’s smile increased more as she saw Lord Ash in the water. She happily stretched out her hand reaching for the water.
"Papa! Papa! Water!" The little cub wanted to rush into the water like Papa. But Ayra pulled her back always.