Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts

by Erin Johnson

  Jun cracked a grin. “Maybe just a few loose pebbles up there.”

  She rolled her eyes but grinned.

  Kai, the stocky guard, stomped up with his friend. “Let’s keep moving, we can’t spend all day searching for your crush.” His friend, Sora, blew his bleached blond hair out of his eyes and glared at Sam, who cringed against me.

  Misaki’s face reddened, while Jun looked away, his color gone.

  “He’s our captain.” She drew herself up taller. “You should want to find him, too.”

  Kai shrugged his broad shoulders, his face impassive. “I’m out here looking, aren’t I? Don’t see him, though. Let’s go.”

  He stomped back to the trail, and Sora followed him, though his gaze lingered on Sam. I curled my lip at Maple as soon as his back was turned and mouthed, “Creepy.” She nodded.

  Sam, Maple, Yann, and I fell in with Misaki and Jun. A soft carpet of leaves and moss cushioned our steps as we hiked over tangled roots back to the dirt path.

  “So.” I cleared my throat. “What’s the deal with this herb we’re after?”

  “The deal?” Misaki lifted a thick brow. “The deal is we have three days to get it. Well, less now that you lot had to sleep.” She sniffed.

  I flashed my eyes at Maple. Gee, sorry we’re not all robots with superhuman stamina.

  Misaki nudged Jun’s arm. “But if you want to know about herbs, ask Jun. He’s the expert. His family owns the tea shop.”

  Jun grinned, a blush spreading over his cheeks. “The herb is called kusuri, and it only blooms during full moons in the spring.” Jun ducked his tall frame under a low branch. “We make a powerful potion from it that restores vitality. It can bring the ill back from the brink of death, or it can give a healthy person incredible strength. Our town, Kusuri, is famous for it and named for the plant.”

  “Okay.” I stepped over a gray rock topped with fuzzy moss. “And where are we headed to find it?”

  Misaki jerked her head to the left. “North, up into the mountains at the center of the island.”

  Jun grinned. “There are these giant granite boulders at the very top of a mountain. The kusuri herb grows in the cracks in the stone. It’s said that the kusuri, though small and delicate, had the strength to split the boulders and create those cracks. We’re able to capture some of that great strength for ourselves through the potion.”

  Maple glanced up at Jun. “You—you mentioned your mother needs the potion?”

  A muscle jumped in Jun’s jaw, and Misaki turned to watch him. His throat bobbed. “Yeah. She got sick a few years ago, but thanks to the potion she’s been all right. She gets tired a lot, but hey, she’s still here.” He pulled his lips to the side in a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  Misaki gave him a short nod. “We’re going to get her more of it.”

  He looked down but nodded.

  “It—it sounds kind of faraway.” Maple blinked. “Are we going to make it in time?” She shot a worried glance at Jun.

  Misaki lifted her chin. “It’s only about a day’s hike away when we’re moving quickly.” We rejoined Kai and Sora on the trail and glanced down the gradual slope at the rest of our party as they trickled closer. My stomach clenched when I spotted Hank trailing far behind, his eyes on the ground in front of him. “Of course, it’s taking us longer than usual.” She let out a heavy sigh.

  Kai folded his beefy arms in front of him and sniffed. “They’re not the only ones holding us up. This is the fifth cage you’ve insisted we detour to check.”

  Misaki gritted her teeth. “We have time. We’re out here to look for Captain Kenta.”

  Kai sneered and shook his head. “I thought we were here to get the herb.”

  Misaki gave him a flat look. “That, too.”

  I lifted a finger. “And to prove we’re worthy of staying in your town.”

  Kai and Sora glared at me while Misaki rolled her eyes. Apparently this was not their top priority.

  I sidled up to Jun. “So… why does finding this herb prove we’re worthy? I mean, you said a bunch of teenagers were going to do this as part of their coming of age quest, right? But couldn’t you guys have sent anyone and gotten it already?”

  “Way to really sell our value, Imogen.” Iggy shook his little flaming head.

  Jun grinned. “We had to delay the quest this year. It warmed up sooner than usual, and so did monster breeding season as a result.”

  I blinked. “Is that like shark week?” Jun frowned and I waved my hand. “Never mind.”

  “The monsters are dangerous anytime of the year, but during mating season it’s not safe to be out at all.” He shook his head. “So the quest couldn’t happen, and we’ve already missed two full moons. This is our last chance… my mom’s last chance.”

  I bit my lip. “I’m sorry.”

  He nodded. “Thanks. Usually, we escort the teenagers to do it. The idea is to teach them the values of perseverance, doing their best and working together to secure something essential to our culture—it proves they’re ready to be adults.” He grinned. “And in your case, that you’re ready to be a part of our society.”

  He moved off to speak with Misaki, and Iggy and I stood apart from the others for a moment. I watched my friends hike up to us, Cat riding Wiley’s shoulders, Francis holding on to Rhonda’s with his bat wings, and Hank shuffling along with his eyes on the ground.

  “I’ve never seen him like this.”

  Iggy scoffed. “Yeah, I don’t think any of us have ever seen him with giant bat wings instead of arms.”

  I pressed my eyes shut tight. “I meant Hank.”

  “He’ll get over it.”

  I held Iggy up to get a better look at him. “I don’t know.”

  “He has to. His dad committed crimes against humanity, murdered Hank’s mentor and only friend, killed an innocent magical creature, and tried to murder him.” Iggy shrugged. “Compared to that, you what? Hung out with your brother without telling him?” He scoffed.

  I cracked the smallest of smiles. “Somehow, I don’t think it’s that simple.”

  9

  Campfire Cooking

  Hours later, a misty dusk settled over the forest floor. Iggy’s light reddened the shaggy sides of tall cedars, but barely cut through the chilly fog that nearly hid my own feet from me. I glanced back. The guards held their lit wands at their sides, forming twinkling pinpricks of light among the growing dark.

  I spotted Misaki walking alongside Hank, and my chest burned. I stole another glance back. Hank nodded and said something to her, but I couldn’t hear what. Oh, so he was speaking to her? I fought to tame the wild, jealous beast that flared up in my heart. I sighed, annoyed with myself. I wasn’t jealous that he was talking to her, just that he was talking to anyone but me. Jun walked behind them, his face stony. Guess I wasn’t the only jealous one.

  The forest, already full of strange noises, twisting shapes, and a palpable magic, seemed to be waking up. Or maybe that was just my imagination running rampant under the stress of no sleep and tense nerves. Either way, I longed for the comfort of a campfire and a cozy blanket.

  “It’s official.”

  I held Iggy’s lantern higher to get a better look at him.

  He gnawed at a small branch I’d picked up from the ground for him, red embers glowing at its ends. “Cedar’s my new favorite.”

  I grinned. “What? Not linden anymore?”

  Iggy closed his eyes tight and let out a happy sigh. “Nope.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

  My smile dropped when Sora glanced back over his shoulder and shot me a dirty look. He turned away and stalked on, shoulder to broad shoulder with Kai. Iggy’s light bounced off something shiny in Kai’s pack that poked out of the oiled canvas opening in the top. I squinted to make it out, but forgot all about it when a dark figure leaped at us from behind a tree.

  I shrieked and stumbled back, slamming into Sam and nearly topplin
g him over.

  “Ha! Black sands! Did you see her face?” One of the younger guards, Reo, doubled over with laughter, one long finger pointed at me.

  My nostrils flared as I fought to slow my breathing. I held on to Sam’s bony shoulder to steady us both. “Good one.” I gritted my teeth.

  “I will murder him,” Iggy grumbled.

  “Got her good, huh, brother?” Reo slapped a thin hand on Sora’s shoulder. The older guard shrugged it off, and Reo hastily dropped his arm to his side.

  Brother, huh? Like, relatives, or did he mean it like, bro? I fell in behind them again, careful to leave more distance between us.

  I glanced over. “Sorry I ran into you, Sam.”

  “It’sss okay.” My shifter friend nodded, his chin disappearing into his neck.

  Reo bounced along behind the older guards. He wore his black scarf tied around his head, Rambo-style. He reminded me of a puppy seeking affection with his repeated attempts to be accepted by the older guys. This made the third time today that he’d jumped out to scare us.

  “We should, like, totally play a prank on them tonight, right? Like all those initiation things you guys made me do. Remember?” He skipped along behind them, straining right and left to catch their eyes.

  “How does he have so much energy?” I grumbled.

  “Guys. Remember? You dumped that bucket of pond moss on me? That was so slimy, good one. We should totally—”

  “Enough.” Sora shot him a harsh look that silenced Reo for all of five seconds before he started up again.

  Thankfully, we reached our campsite soon after. We followed a thin footpath through the forest to a small clearing. The guards got to work making camp. Within minutes they’d efficiently formed a circle of stones, lit a campfire, unpacked the cooking gear, and laid out our bedrolls, thanks to their magic.

  Sigh. I missed having my powers. I felt so helpless and vulnerable without them… and I was already feeling so helpless and vulnerable because of my issues with Hank. We all threw our packs into one giant pile in the center of the circle of bedrolls. I laid mine down next to Sam’s and wondered how I’d find it again—they looked the same, all made of army-green oiled canvas.

  Misaki lowered hers down by one strap as the heavenly smells of chicken and rice reached my nose. Some of the guards were already busy cooking over the flames. Misaki froze and frowned, then ducked down and threw open the flap of another pack. She tugged open the drawstring and drew out the hilt of a sword. Black thread wound around it, leaving diamond-shaped openings that revealed a shiny mother of pearl hilt below. I edged closer for a better look.

  “What are you doing?”

  Misaki jumped at Kai’s harsh voice and I turned hastily away. I would’ve whistled to show how much I was minding my own business, but I unfortunately did not possess the skill. Kai snatched the pack from Misaki and she stiffened. I backed away, not wanting to get caught up in whatever this was.

  “You’re going through my things?” He glared at her, the orange light of the campfire lighting up his shoulders and the outline of his face.

  She cleared her throat. “I caught sight of that and—and that’s not government issued.”

  He dumped his pack on the other side of the pile, far away from her. “It’s none of your business, but I decided to upgrade.”

  He stared her down, but she didn’t flinch. “Is it a Honjo katana?”

  He didn’t answer.

  She scoffed and planted her hands on her hips. “How could you afford that?” She shifted her weight. “Where would you even find one?”

  All the other guards had frozen, now watching. Jun slid up and stood beside Misaki.

  Kai’s eyes grew wide and he dipped his chin like a bull about to charge. “What are you implying? That I’m not rich, like your family used to be?” He glared at her, his lips curled back in disgust. “You think you’re so much better than us, you two and your precious Captain Kenta.” He glared at Jun. “But guys like me and Sora, we had to work hard to get into the guard, we didn’t just use our connections.”

  Misaki drew herself up taller. “I meant how could you afford that, since I know what we make.” She rolled her eyes. “And you know my family’s not rich.”

  Kai shrugged. “Like I said. It’s none of your business.” He stomped away toward the fire, then paused and spun around. He jabbed a thick finger at Misaki. “And stay away from my stuff.”

  She lifted her palms in surrender and muttered, “Fine.”

  “You okay?” Jun looked at her, his brows drawn in concern. “I think he’s just been on edge ever since… since Kenta disappeared.”

  She rolled her shoulder. “Yeah, well, we all have.” She sniffed. “But he’s acting even dumber than usual.”

  Jun grinned. “I wasn’t sure that was possible.”

  She shook her head, but cracked a smile.

  A couple of the guards whose names I didn’t know yet set some cast-iron skillets to magically hover over the fire. They threw in oil and sliced pork chops. Yann, Annie, Maple, and I wandered closer, while the others rested on their bedrolls. I inhaled a deep breath and closed my eyes. “By the tide, that smells good.”

  One of the guards, a kid with a mullet, grinned. “We’re making yaki udon.”

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure what that is, but it smells amazing.” I bit my lip. “Since we’re supposed to be proving our worth, can we, uh, help with anything?” I lifted my brows.

  One of the other guards supervised some carrots, shallots, and garlic as the vegetables magically sliced and diced themselves, while another tossed some thick noodles onto the sizzling pork. The kid with the mullet smiled. “Nah, I think we’ve got it.”

  Yann lifted a giant finger. “We could make dessert?”

  The guards in charge of dinner exchanged looks, then nodded at Yann. Mullet guy laughed. “That sounds great.” He swept an arm toward the supplies they’d set out. “See if we have what you need.” He pointed at the pack Kai had moved away from Misaki. “Kai’s carrying the spices if you need ’em.” He held a hand to the side of his mouth. “But I’d ask before you go through his pack—the guy’s a little touchy.”

  Maple and I exchanged looks. Yeah, just a little.

  I lifted a brow at Yann. “What are you planning to make, big guy?”

  He stroked his wiry beard and squinted an eye closed, deep in thought. Then his face lit up. “I know! My grandmama’s famous cinnamon rolls.” He squealed, a funny noise from the bear of a man. “Tey’re da best!” He clapped his enormous hands together. “Okay. I will try to remember… we need a pot with a lid, yeast, sugar, cinnamon.” He ticked the ingredients off on his fingers.

  The kid looked up from stirring the pans of noodles and pork. “We’ve got all of those.”

  “Oh.” Yann winked. “And da most important—butter.”

  The kid grimaced and Yann’s face fell. “No butter?”

  “Will fat work?”

  Yann tilted his head and thought about it. “Okay, chure!”

  Soon the guards had helped us round up the ingredients and Yann dissolved a spoonful of yeast and sugar into a small wooden bowl of lukewarm water. The guard spelled it to activate and the surface of the water grew foamy. He then combined a big bowl of flour with the water, adding it in small increments and mixing it together with a pair of chopsticks. After he’d mixed it all he could, he took to kneading the gooey dough with his big hands.

  Maple, Annie, and I stood around and watched.

  “Yann, where did you learn to bake outdoors?” Maple leaned closer, fascinated.

  “My family was all lumberjacks, so we learned to yust make do with what we had.” He looked up and smiled, his hands still working the dough. “Eet was how I learned to love baking.”

  I grinned. “I never knew that.”

  Mullet kid lent us his magic again and sped up the rising process. Yann improvised and used a jar of home-canned fish to roll out the dough into a long rectangle on a wooden cutti
ng board. He mixed the fat, sugar, and cinnamon together, then crumbled the mixture over the dough.

  The kid with the mullet glanced over, a line between his brows. “Cinnamon, huh?” He shrugged and shook his head.

  Annie sniffed. “Does he have a problem with cinnamon?”

  Yann rolled the dough lengthwise, with his fingers dancing up and down the sides to keep them even. He frowned when he’d finished. “Does anyone haf dental floss?”

  The kid in charge of cooking frowned in thought. Then he grinned and fiddled with the worn hem of his shirt. He drew out one long, black silk thread and walked it over to Yann. “Will this work?”

  Yann nodded his thanks and used it to slice the log into round discs about an inch thick. He then placed them inside a greased pot and the kid again sped up the rising process. Yann covered the fluffy rolls and with the help of the guards found a place for the pot to magically hover over the fire beside the pans of pork and noodles and vegetables.

  The cinnamon rolls baked while we sat on the ground or rocks and ate our dinner (which was delicious) on lightweight bamboo plates. Afterwards, Yann lifted the lid and sugary, cinnamonny steam poured out. Even though my stomach was nearly bursting with the yaki udon I’d just eaten, my mouth watered for the rolls.

  “Ugh.” Misaki turned her head and made a face as the scent wafted over to her.

  The other guards did the same, waving the steam away from their faces.

  “You don’t—want any?” Yann looked crushed.

  Misaki drew her thick brows together. “Is it—healthy?”

  Annie scoffed. “Not in the least, dear, but that’s what dessert is for.”

  Jun coughed. “It’s dessert?”

  He and Misaki exchanged wide-eyed looks, then he addressed Yann. “It’s just—it smells like medicine.”