“A protein mixture scrambled with a bio-designed egg substitute.”
“No real eggs?”
“No. They are common, of course, but with the ability to replicate many types of foods, my brotherhood abides by the ancient tradition of not consuming eggs. It may seem a bit outdated, but it served a purpose back in its time. Some say it is a moral thing, not eating the young. But my studies have led me to believe that it has a simpler explanation than that.”
“You don’t believe your own scriptures?”
“It’s not that. But there are records that clearly document that when livestock was scarce eggs were a precious commodity. A new generation that could provide far more food than just one small part of a meal.”
“Makes sense.”
“I think so. And in any case, why harm a life when the ability to replicate the protein exists?”
“You’ve got a good point there. But then, why do other people still do it?”
Draikis sighed. “There are some forms of technology that are quite scarce. This is one of them.”
“But the good it could do.”
“Yes. However, the expense would be extreme to feed a large quantity of people. Not only are the machines incredibly complex and costly, but the raw molecular materials utilized to synthesize edible matter is also well beyond the means of all but the most wealthy.”
“And a bunch of priests, it seems.”
He laughed. “Touché. But our order is the sacred tool of the Dotharian Conglomerate. There are sacrifices in our lives, no doubt, but there are also certain perks afforded us. Here we go. All done. Would you hand me a plate, please?”
“Where are they?”
“Right there.”
Ella stared at the small stack of metal triangles with a rounded side he’d nodded toward, doing her best to hide her confusion. “Oh, right,” she said, picking one up.
It was surprisingly light. More shocking was the way it unfolded easily, like a metallic origami, snapping into place in the shape of a medium-sized plate. How it maintained its form without visible seams or locking mechanisms was beyond her, so she just handed it to him and opened another.
Draikis loaded both up with respectable helpings, then wiped his small pan clean and folded it up, just like the plates. Somehow, it had gone from hot enough to cook on to cool enough to touch. A moment later he grabbed the heating element and did the same.
Whatever it is, that’s some seriously cool technology,Ella marveled.
Draikis handed her a surprisingly unexciting utensil—an alien spork of sorts—and watched her with an expectant gaze. She took the hint and dug right in.
“Ooh, that’s really good,” she said. And, truth be told, it actually was. Like a mixed smoky sausage and hash scramble of some kind.
He grinned, pleased his camp stove cookery had met her approval. “Glad you like it,” he said, pouring her a frosty cup of an amber juice. “Glinkin cooler. Refreshing and restorative. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
She took a sip, her tastebuds buzzing from the odd liquid but in a pleasing way. “That’s really tasty.”
“Good. Eat up. You are still regaining your strength, and every bit of nutrition helps. We must keep your body on the mend.”
“I feel pretty good, actually,” she said between bites.
“I’m sure you do. The springs have that effect on people. And we will soak again before we depart. But I do worry that perhaps I pushed you a bit harder than you were expecting.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” she replied, thinking back to her midnight festivities and just how good her newly healed body could feel.
“Perhaps. In any case, a good meal and a soak will set you up for a positive return trek. And, if the waters have done their trick, your skin should be ready.”
“Ready? For what?”
“For your new runes, of course. It was one of the reasons I selected this for our outing. To give your dermis an extra boost of healing from the minerals in the springs. We’ll take a look after breakfast. For now, eat up. Don’t let your food get cold.”
