After resolving the morning snack incident, Selia prepared the working table for the remaining game.

“The birds you caught are called blinkers, because they get scared easily and are very quick to fly away. Usually you need luck and skill to take them down from a distance. Whatever magic you performed, it made a clean kill. Aside from the broken neck, both the feathers and the body are unscathed.”

Lith accepted the compliment with a small bowing.

“It’s just a matter of finesse in using air magic, nothing special.”

Selia’s curiosity was far from being satisfied, but she decided not to pry further.

“Scalding is easy and quick. You only need to throw the poultry in the cauldron for about 45 seconds. Is better to gently stir the water in the process, to clean the birds from dirt and external parasites. It also helps loosening most of the feathers. Never scald too long, or the meat could start to boil. Not to mention the risk of rupturing the organs, ruining the meat.”

Lith took charge of the scalding process, waving his right hand to take control of the water in the cauldron, stirring it and adjusting the force of the current according to Selia’s directions.