Now enough chit chat, it's time to get to work."
Selia took down the squirrels, passing one to Lith.
"We will start with the little critters. They are smaller and better for practice, since even if you mess up is no big deal, there is not much meat in here."
She placed a squirrel on a cutting board, and prepared another for Lith.
"What I am going to teach you stands for most rodents, but just in case, if you ever find a rabbit that still has a snow-white fur, bring it to me. It is valuable only until it starts turning brown for the spring. Even a tiny mistake can ruin the fur, lowering its value."
Selia handed him the short knife again. "If you want me to teach you properly, let's do things my way. Use the knife, do as I do and follow my instructions."
Lith nodded in approval.
"On the squirrel's back pinch its hide and cut it near the base of the neck so to expose at least half of it. Now use your index finger and middle finger on both hands to create an opening after you have made the cut. Use your fingers to hook up under the skin and pull one hand towards the rear and the other hand towards its head..."
During the process, Lith noticed that beside being disgusting, skinning a squirrel was like taking off a sticky wet glove.
After that Selia showed him how to remove the head, the legs and the tail.
"I know is a bummer, but that bushy tail is no fur, is all goddamn body hair. You can still use it to stuff things, is very warm and soft. Now comes the tricky part.
When we proceed to gut anything, be careful while making incisions. If you cut open the bladder or the intestines, the meat is ruined by bile or feces. There is no saving it. This stands for all the animals, so pay attention, kid."
Gutting the squirrel was bloody and gruesome, but Lith could already smell the meat at the end of the tunnel, so he barely felt any discomfort.
When they finished, Selia put both squirrels on a skewer, to roast them in her fireplace.
"While we wait for our morning snack, I'll show you how to scald a bird for the plucking. As the name implies, water must not be too hot or cold, just enough for you to immerse a finger without getting a burn, but unable to hold the finger in for more than a second without burning yourself. That's proper scalding temperature."
Selia took a big cauldron, positioning it over a campfire she had always ready on the back of her house.
"It can be a messy job, so it's better to do it outside whenever is possible."
The smell of the meat cooking inside was making Lith's mouth watery, he could not afford the risk of them burning.
"Jorun!" At his command the cauldron became immediately filled with water.
Lith then stuck his hand in the water casting "Infiro!" making it emit steam.
Selia whistled again with approval.
"Fast and efficient. I'm starting to regret this master-apprentice stuff less and less.
I now understand why that old hag of Nerea called dibs on you. We should be ready to go, but first…"
Selia went inside briefly, returning with two little plates of roasted squirrel.
Before she could even pass him his plate, Lith had already snatched the food, wolfing it down like there was no tomorrow. He sucked and gnawed until only bones were left.
After licking every single of his fingers, he returned to his previous calm and composed demeanour.
"Good gods, such a gentleman." Selia's voice was oozing sarcasm. "Would you like another serving? Because that seriously creeped me out and I know a thing or two about…"
Her mockery fell on deaf ears. Lith's eyes could only see the second squirrel closing in. As soon as Selia pretended to offer him her share, his hands were already moving.
After devouring the last squirrel, Lith noticed that Selia was frozen in place.
Her mouth was open but no words were coming out of it, the plate still near his face.
He gently put the bones back into the plate.
"There was no need to hold the plate for me, but thanks. That was very kind of you."