Tunnel Rat

Cheese class with Master Bleusnout was interesting. Milo hadn't thought before coming to the Hollow that cheese was as much a part of rat-kin culture as beer was in dwarven culture. It was an ingrained part of every rat-kin's life, and how a hollow managed their cheese determined much about it.

"Greetings young ones! I am Chef Bleusnout. You may refer to me as Chef or Master, for in addition to cooking meals for the Hollow, I am also it's Cheese-Master. My duties as Master of all things cheese include making sure our Hollow has enough of our favorite food on hand at all times. Some cheese we make ourselves, and some we acquire through trade with other Hollows, human settlements, and even the Myconian Collectives."

"Why so many kinds of cheese? I'm sure you'll all agree that all cheese is tasty and there is joy in sampling a new variety. But more importantly, we need many types of highly specialized cheese to concoct the best Snacks for our warriors. Many races create their own types of snacks. Humans call them potions, the Spider Tribes eat the fermented organs of other creatures, dwarves have their alcohol, while elves prefer jams made from magical fruit."

"I'm sure you were all disappointed that today's meal did not include a small bit of cheese for dessert. Instead, I have a better treat for you: a tasty spread of my special blend of seven cheeses, all spread on a crispy wheat cracker. I have one for each of you." Riftkin gave out one cracker to each person in the class. Some students put them directly into their mouths. Milo held off, trying to examine it, even though he was drooling and his stomach was growling.

Bleusnout's All-Purpose Warrior Snack!

+50 Health, increased health and stamina regeneration, +2 STR, increased poison resistance.

Effects last for four hours.

"I'm sure you can feel the difference in your muscles as the cheese hits your belly. This snack makes you much tougher and harder to kill. But even with all these advantages, we only serve them right before battle. Do any of you know why?"

Milo didn't, but one hand went up. "Because battle will help work the cheese out of our system and lesson the effects of growing dependent on cheese."

Bleusnout patted the young one's head. "Thank you, Olivia, correct as always. The exertions of battle use up the cheese, as does healing wounds with regeneration. A warrior in constant battle can safely consume far more cheese than any other person. This is one reason I suspect that Warrior will always be a popular class for our people."

"The next part of our class involves some reading and study. If you have trouble with reading the characters on the paper, I suggest taking an academic class in the Tower of Learning. For now, do your best or find a study partner. I expect you to read through the first two pages by tomorrow." Riftkin distributed worn books that had seen generations of use. Bleusnout watched as the young whelps began turning the pages, some reading, some just being confused or looking around for help.

Some of them simply paged through the book, looking at the pictures. Tallsqueak was one of these. The Cheese-Master watched as he quickly turned each page, pausing on the pictures that dealt with cheese making equipment, cheese spread distillation, and famous battles. After a few minutes he set down the book, and waited patiently for the class to end. All the other poor readers had found a partner. Two of the whelps had asked Tallsqueak if he needed to join a reading group, but he turned them down.

Bleusnout sighed. He'd seen it before. A young whelp comes in from a cave nest, far behind in academics and culture, and often with a cheese problem. Some sought help, but many were simply too proud. They could fight, and they thought that was enough. From what Justin and Brutus had told him, Tallsqueak was well beyond the other whelps in fighting, an might even have pushed into the second tier. Bleusnout prepared himself for an ordeal with the troublesome whelp. It was his responsibility to show him why he needed to learn to make sense of the scribbled characters in books.

"Tallsqueak? You should be reading in your book. Pages one and two. If you need help, please join a group."

To Bleusnout's surprise, Tallsqueak stood up and spoke. "I'm done. I read the book." Then the whelp had the audacity to walk up to him and return the book.

"Please! Are you seriously trying to claim you read all 213 pages of It takes a Hollow to make the Cheese?

Tallsqueak nodded. "I had trouble at first with the alphabet. It's different from the human and dwarven writing styles, but I deciphered it from context. It's a great book! I have a lot to think about. Are there more books I can borrow?"

No one in the building was reading anymore. They were riveted to the spectacle of Master Bleusnout turning bright red in the face. Some claimed later they smelt the odor of burnt cheese and saw steam coming from his nose. Riftkin had gone dead white and was trembling. Tallsqueak just seemed puzzled, and patiently waited.

Bleusnout grew very calm after a minute. And even more angry. "This is serious, Tallsqueak. Lying to a Master is a huge offense and doubly so in my class. It shows a lack of control, a lack of shame, and a lack of community. I will give you one last chance to tell the truth. Did you read in the book?"

Tallsqueak was nodding along with what Bleusnout said, agreeing with him. "I understand. But don't worry, I read the book. All of it. So, I don't need the book anymore."

Bleusnout took the book and opened to a random page. "Then you can tell me about page 73?"

Most of the class turned to that page, Tallsqueak began to speak. "...that the need for correct temperature control is essential to making sure that the milk used is raised to the needed level of heat for a full twelfth of a bell to remove unwanted myconian contamination. Care must also be taken not to overheat the milk and ruin it. A thermionic dissipater is recommended for large batches of milk."

"The rest of the page has a nice diagram of how to operate a Thermionic Dissipater, but I have to wonder if it wouldn't have a better effect if the prong had a spiral twist instead of a linear shape? More area would dissipate the heat faster.

The Cheese-Master turned to the class and smiled. "Class is dismissed for the day, please do your reading. Except for you, Tallsqueak. You get a reward for such fine reading."

Tallsqueak sighed, knowing what the reward was going to be.

"Riftkin?! Get my keys. We are going to the cellar. Tell Smiley to start the soup, and put the bread in the oven." The chef turned to Tallsqueak. "We are going to the cellar to check on some of the cheese I have there, and you are going to prove a few more things for me. I may have a special job for you."

Milo was excited to see the cellar, but wondered why all the rewards he got seemed to be more jobs? He was gaining them quickly.