An idea was starting to form in Lukas’ mind while he clung to his meagre possessions. He had chewed through two strips of willow bark; it was less effective in its raw form but it was already making him feel better. Unfortunately it also reminded his stomach how long it had been since he had last eaten, his hunger was made worse by the savoury smell filling the cavern. It made it hard to settle on any rational thought.

“Do you know if any of these are edible?” Wilt called out while he studied a number of fungi on the wall.

“Well those ones are edible, but I wouldn’t waste them on a stew.”

“Huh,” Wilt tilted his head unsure for a moment until understanding spread across his face in a smile. “Oh, I might save those for dessert then,” he winked but Lukas was already studying the other fungi in the cave.

“I wish I had known about this place earlier. Some of these I have never seen before.” Lukas could have lost himself for days here but a sudden, sharp grumble from his stomach brought him back to more pressing concerns. “Try this one.” He picked a large black fungus that rolled in waves like the sea.

“Are you sure? It doesn’t look very appetising,” Wilt looked dubiously at the black mass.

“Of course; this is wood hen, one of the tastiest mushrooms you will ever eat,” Lukas said as he tore the mushroom into pieces and dropped them in the stew while Wilt stirred. He practically started salivating at the rich, earthy aroma and lifted the spoon.

“Or,” Lukas drawled and Wilt paused with the spoon just at his lips. “Or it’s fool’s web. Also said to be very tasty and the last mushroom you will ever eat.”

“Either sounds good and it smells good too,” Wilt smiled and lifted the spoon again.

“And that’s because it’s highly toxic and death is pretty much guaranteed.” Wilt froze his eyes wide with horror. “Oh, but it’s probably wood hen.” Wilt didn’t move and eyed the pot with suspicion. “What, don’t you trust me?” Lukas feigned a wound to his heart.

“Haha, you can’t fool me,” Wilt said with bravado and ate the spoonful with one big gulp.

“Do you feel any cold spots, a growing numbness?” Lukas asked with interest.

“Wait, but you said it was wood hen, the safe one; right?” Wilt tried to laugh it off but it came out weak and fractured.

“It’s actually impossible to tell them apart; why’d you think I made you try it first.” Lukas said with a dead pan expression. A range of emotions flickered across Wilt’s face from shock, to anger, fear and then settled on a sad looking acceptance before Lukas broke into laughter.

“Okay I deserved that,” Wilt admitted with relief and offered Lukas the spoon. “Sorry I don’t have any bowls. I wasn’t really expecting company.”

Lukas ate his fill and returned the spoon to Wilt. Now that his stomach was full his mind could return to his previous thoughts on what to do next.

“Did you still want that book?” Lukas asked just as Wilt took a large mouthful of stew. Unable to speak Wilt quirked an eyebrow and nodded his head.