The Log

Thistle prepared for her daily rounds, soaking up the last little bit of the hearth’s warmth. This had become a routine ever since the storm started picking up, battering the Glade at full force for at least a couple of days now.

She gathered her rain gear—her waterproof cloak and her boots—to brace herself against the storm before exiting her cottage to face the harsh waters outside.

She looked through her Grimoire, finding one spell in particular that she had learned on an especially rainy day last spring. This would ensure that she would stay at least a little drier but, most importantly, that her socks would not get wet. Nobody liked the feeling of wet socks.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, she entered her precious Blooming Glade.

Things had already begun to shift. The rain had scattered debris all around the walking paths—something that Thistle cleared as she explored, assessing the damage. The plants looked as if they'd been shredded by cat claws.

The rain bit at her cheeks, cold and sharp. But for this, she was almost grateful—her rain-streaked cheeks gave the illusion that she wasn’t crying. Devastation like this was something she had never fully grasped, especially not from something as simple as a little bit of rain.

As she continued on, she took note of the cottages. Most of the residents had chosen to stay indoors, their windows glowing from the warmth of the fires inside. But it had been especially difficult to keep those hearth fires going without dry wood.

Almost on cue, something caught her foot, causing her to trip and tumble into the riverbed of the stream that ran alongside the walking path.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed.

Looking around, she was able to see what had caught her foot. A fallen log was blocking the path, water rising on one side as the stream struggled to flow. If it continued gathering like this, it could flood the only clear route. The log had come from a fallen tree—very clearly struck by lightning. But what was unclear was why the lightning strike was so precise. It looked almost like a clean slice from a very large axe—as if it had been done intentionally.

This filled her with unease.

Even though the devastation might have been easier to accept if it had been caused by some unseen force, that unseen force would be more worrisome than nature turning on itself.

Thistle got up, brushing the mud from her cloak and letting the rainwater wash off her hands and palms from the impact.

This log couldn’t stay here. It could harm the residents—especially those who relied on the river to flow freely for water. Some needed it to refill their wells, others depended on it for daily needs.

She took in a deep breath and removed her rain boots and her perfectly dry socks so that she could feel the earth. She closed her eyes.

She could feel the soil deepen beneath her toes, the interconnected roots whispering to each other beneath the ground. Even where the fallen tree had once stood, she could sense the remnants of its presence.

She petitioned the branches and vines around her. In her mind, they wove together like a spiderweb, strong enough that with a little push, they might be able to pull the tree back upright. Using her growth magic, she coaxed the kind vines to grow larger and stronger. She asked them to pull the tree back to its base—slowly but surely.

The vines accepted.

With a creaking groan, they pulled the tree up and away from the river’s path. The burst of water rushing forward was satisfying, reminding her of pouring tea from a freshly brewed pot.

As soon as the tree settled back onto its stump, she placed her hands on its base, sewing together each splinter until it was whole again. She wove the tree like a basket, strengthening it further by wrapping the vines from top to bottom so it could heal properly.

"You lasted all this time, Mr. Tree," Thistle whispered, pressing her palm to its bark. "I’m glad I could bring you back home. I’m glad you survived this storm. Maybe we will, too."

Before leaving, she gathered up the fallen branches and put them in a pile in a spot that was relatively dry. She’d come back for them later for firewood. After this near-miss, it finally dawned on her how long the storm may last.

The whole ordeal left her shaken.

She grabbed her socks and shoes and headed back to the cottage. Although she took great care to never allow herself to walk around in wet socks, walking barefoot on the wet earth was comforting.

Even though the rain was harsh, it was still necessary. The vines, the roots, the plants—they needed to drink enough to grow strong.

She had to be just as strong as they were.

As she entered her cottage, a chill ran through her, icy from head to toe. A tickle in her throat made her pause. If she had stayed out any longer, she might have caught a cold.

She needed something warm—not just to banish the cold from her skin but to ward off the sickness threatening to take root.

"I can't catch a cold now," she said to herself. "Not when the Glade needs me this badly."

But she knew exactly the recipe for this situation.

Something spicy, but soul-soothing.

Something that would be able to comfort and cure.

Curry, chicken, and potato pie.

🍗Chicken Curry Pie🥧

A comfort and cure.

Recipe:

Recipe Information

Total Time: ~1 hour (plus thawing time for crust)
Skill Level: Intermediate
Category: Forager’s Pockets – Savory Pastries & Pies

🥗 Dietary Information

✅ Can be made Vegan (with vegan chicken, butter, and cheese)
✅ Can be made Gluten-Free (with GF pie crust and mashed potatoes)
❌ Contains Animal Products by default

⚠ Potential Sensitivities

• 🐓 Contains Poultry (or substitute with vegan chicken)
• 🧈 Contains Dairy (swap for vegan cheese and butter)
• 🌾 Contains Gluten (unless modified)

🌿 Substitutions & Notes

• Use vegan chicken, butter, and cheese to make it fully plant-based
• Use gluten-free crust and mashed potatoes for GF option
• Add extra curry, garlic, or chili flakes for a bold kick
• Instant mashed potatoes are just fine—you’ve got other things to save (like trees)

🍽 Ingredients

• 🌿 1 pie crust (top & bottom), thawed – Your sturdy shelter through the storm
• 🌿 ½ onion, chopped – For clarity and persistence
• 🌿 Salt – To draw out what no longer serves
• 🌿 1 lb ground chicken (or vegan chicken) – For strength and recovery
• 🌿 Curry powder – The heart of the storm, spicy and bright
• 🌿 Seasonings of choice (garlic, cumin, paprika, etc.)
• 🌿 1–1½ cups frozen pot pie vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) – Sustaining and colorful
• 🌿 1–2 cups mashed potatoes (instant or fresh) – Soft, comforting resilience
• 🌿 ½–1 cup shredded cheese (or vegan alternative) – A creamy center, calm after the chaos
• 🌿 Garlic butter (or vegan butter) – Golden protection to seal it all in

🔪 Method

1. Prepare the Filling

• Set your pie crust out to thaw
• Sauté chopped onion in a pot over medium heat with salt
• Add ground chicken or vegan chicken and cook thoroughly
• Season generously with curry powder and your favorite spices
• Stir in frozen vegetables and let it all simmer gently on low

2. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes

• Make instant or fresh mashed potatoes
• Set aside to cool slightly—rescue missions don’t wait, but pies can

3. Assemble the Pie

• Press the bottom crust into a pie tin
• Add the curry filling
• Layer with shredded cheese or vegan cheese
• Spread mashed potatoes across the top
• Add the final crust layer
• Cut a star-shaped vent in the top and brush with garlic butter or vegan butter

4. Bake

• Bake according to crust instructions—typically 375–400°F (190–200°C) for 30–40 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp
• The filling is already cooked, so you're baking for color and comfort

✨ Best Enjoyed…

• As thunder rolls in, and you’re drying off after braving the elements for something (or someone) you care about
• Curled up by a window, watching the storm you couldn’t avoid
• Letting the warmth sink in, knowing you tried something hard and made it through
• With messy hair and muddy shoes, but a full heart and a hot fork

🍽 Suggested Pairings

• 🥬 Cucumber or mint salad – fresh and cooling
• ☕ Masala chai or warm herbal cider – to sip while the rain drums on the roof
• 🥖 Toasted naan or crusty bread – for scooping and savoring
• 🌶️ Pickled onions or a spoonful of chutney – to cut the richness with a little tang