Spice Scenes in ATBOD

This is probably not the spice you are searching for... 🤣 But this is the spice content in my book! 

You may have noticed my MMC, Murad, carrying his bags of spice around in ATBOD, my medieval era Fantasy novel.

Murad is a West Asian messenger sent to Britain. It's not his first time there, and he arrives armed with eating spice to season the British food.

Why?

Because in my alt timeline of history, Britain has been cut off from the spice trade for many years, along with other trade sanctions.

(If you didn't know already, this story was inspired by the modern disaster known as Brexit.)

While Britain in the middle ages would've had spices for food, I actually wanted a way to represent what it felt like growing up in Britain in more recent times, when only bland unseasoned food was available. (Sorry, not sorry.) Yes, things are a little spicier now in the 21st Century... but for the first half of my life in the century before that, lol, finding decent food was a struggle! And don't get me started on going round to white friend's houses and being served a disappointing dinner.

This is why Murad comes prepared!

A short excerpt from ATBOD

The supper at Epmere was grand. Godraed had gone to great lengths to impress.

Or, more likely, he had ordered his servants to go to great lengths.

The spread was vast, and the flavours passable. Murad only had to get his little spice pouches out a couple of times during the meal, earning sideways looks from the Lady and her daughters.

“Is that spice?” Godraed asked, eyeing the small pouch.

“It is, Lord,” Murad replied.

For many years now, the spice trade from the continent to the kingdoms of Britain had dwindled, used as leverage by the Council to strong-arm more kingdoms to fall in line and join them.

But the Council hadn’t expected Britain to hold out so long without spices.

“It’s strong,” Murad warned him. “Would you like to try some?”

“I certainly would,” Godraed said enthusiastically, holding out his plate. “Tell me, young sir, where the spice originates.”

He was expecting a yarn, Murad realised. A story to entertain him and his table. Lorenzo or Kai would’ve been better suited to this delivery. Murad disliked being the centre of attention like this. 

“The paprika and black pepper are from Damascus,” he said. “The red pepper flakes from Bursa, the turmeric from Baghdad.” He pinched a little and sprinkled the mixed spice over Godraed’s plate. “The taste will warm you instantly, Lord.”

“Very good.” Godraed set

his plate back down and smiled at his table. “Let’s see what all the fuss is about, eh?” He jabbed his eating fork into a cut of meat dusted in spice and stuck it straight into his mouth.

Everyone watched him chew happily, then his face went through several expressions of surprise until Godraed opened his mouth to gasp in air.

“My, that is hot,” he exclaimed, beginning to sweat at the temple.

Murad lifted his drinking cup to his lips to better hide his smirk. This supper was proving to be more entertaining than he’d expected.

I hope you have enjoyed this spicy snippet! 😂🌶

At the Border of Destiny is available now in both ebook and paperback.

Signing off, 

C. Quince🔥