Chapter 5: Smoky Flavor
Fire! Summer sun has kindled a small blaze in the midst of the swamp, very near the cellar entrance. We could put it out easily enough, thanks to pools of water that have persisted the heat. Yet it is an ill omen and we must discover how to protect ourselves against wildfires.
Given the closeness to the dug soil, we have considered that the earth itself may be flammable. Besides the unusual clay and familiar sandy loam, there is an unknown black sediment. We had speculated on its origin and composition before. Såksël shrugged it off as wet loam, and Tosirid compared it to the marshy cob around the entrancing mountains. But now I believe that it is of organic origin. Plant matter blackens when decomposing, and naturally burns when dried in the sun. The stagnant water may be intercepting its decay, entombing it under loam and more plant matter.
Regardless of the theory, we shall test the hypothesis by pressing and drying a glob of the peculiar material. At the same time, we'll be keeping a close eye on the plants growing around here. Asmël thinks the large cottongrass may be to blame.
The first of Ustirs brews are ready for taste-testing. Thankfully the dry heat hasn't damaged them too much. We are most pleased with the beer of the pond grain. Čogon declined, prefering himself poppy steep. Chamomille does not grow in this swamp.
We have more barrels than cellar space at this point, so the rest will be stored by setting them in the cool mud. Retrieving the barrels will be difficult. Tosirid and I came up with a way to hook and pull them up, and a first practice attempt succeeded with some effort. Time will tell how well it will work after weathers wear.
The fire test was a success. The black soil truly becomes flammable when dried. I have earned myself a drink! But besides the relief, knowing that we aren't in imminent danger of a wildfire, Čogon realised we might be able to use this stuff as fuel. Given access to stone, we should finally be able to construct a furnace and see how the clay behaves.
Here is to a life-goal of research within reach!