The Heart Eater

THE HEART EATER

This is a story about a young man that ventured in the Great Plains of North America on a cold December night, 1841, in hopes of great adventure and fortune. It is purely fictional.

"To travel is to live."

- Hans Christian Andersen, 1805-1875

The winter breeze was strong tonight. Like any other night, Jedediah was walking in the woods with his companion, Jasper, in the middle of practically nowhere, finding shelter from the incoming storm. They had traveled for some time already and with the help of the North Star he was hoping to find Cheyenne, their next stop.

Hours after hours but still no sign of civilization. Jedediah was calm in mind. Their rations were close on ending but he was strong of will, and ammo. And no matter what they said, tonight he would hunt his very first bison.

Finally a glimpse of light in the horizon. A glimpse of hope for both of the travelers. They climbed the foothill and it felt like the highest mountain they've ever climbed so far. Jasper was getting weary. Jedediah on the other hand felt like a victor. 

They opened the front door, that made a heavy cracking sound. They were welcomed with a warmth that radiated from the interior. But not a single soul could be seen. They both quickly closed the door shut and gasped silently; here they could rest for a while, albeit Jedediah knew he would soon go out again.

                                                    

A man shows up from a room close to the counter. He smiles at Jedediah and Jasper and greets them; "Welcome, kinsmen. What brings you two here? Rest? Food? I can provide you with both. Then again, the storm is closing in on us, please, have a seat." The men sat down and dropped their gear on the ground. "You're hunters, aren't you?" He continued.

"Yes. And the night is not over yet." Jedediah replied with great confidence.

"Oh really? I know the wilds is flourishing with small game, I'm just not sure whether you should go out now when the breeze is getting stronger by the minute." The man said.

"Yes, really. I'm going to hunt us a bison." Jedediah said and looked the man straight in the eyes.

The man went silent. He then turned and walked towards the counter, grabbed two mugs and poured a honey-smelling liquid from a small-ish barrel on the wall. He sighed: "I don't think that's a good idea. Be assured though, if you ever do kill a bison, make sure to bring me its heart and I will make you a dish you shall never forget. Bring me its soul and I will make you a champion." The man said, brought the mugs to Jedediah and Jasper and lowered his hand on Jedediah's shoulder.

"I promise you that." He continued.

Jasper gulped down the drink and told Jedediah that he would get some rest. Jedediah nodded back with respect and started to clean his rifle. The man watched him closely throughout the operation. After a small while, Jedediah grabbed his gear again, thanked the man for the drink, grabbed his rifle and said:

"Don't you worry. I will be back in a little while."

Jedediah was not to be seen until the following morning.

The morning was perfectly clear. The storm never reached the lodge that was hidden among the trees. Jasper was worried that his companion would not return. The owner of the lodge told him that he saw a fiery passion for hunting in Jedediah's eyes when he said he would go after that bison.

"Don't you worry. He will be back in a little while." The man said.

And Jedediah did. The door opened and inside walked a man with blood on his hands. He laid his rifle on the wall and walked straight to the owner. He then opened his knapsack and inside some linen wraps he presented him the heart of a bison.

"Here, as requested. I complied your deed, now fill our need." Jedediah said following a big smile. The man took the heart and went in the kitchen. The preparation took him a decent amount of time. But what he presented Jedediah with was to be the most extraordinary experience he ever encountered:

Jedediah drank the concoction and immediately felt stronger inside. This is what he needed. This was it. In the afternoon, Jedediah and Jasper left. But before they reached the door, Jedediah turned to the man and said:

"By the way, what is your name?"

"They call me Hendrick's". The man replied with a smile.

The Heart Eater

• 3 cl Hendrick's Gin (1 fl. oz)
• 1.5 cl Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka (0.5 fl. oz)
• 4.5 cl grapefruit juice (1.5 fl. oz)
• 1.5 cl simple syrup (0.5 fl. oz)
• 1 cl Blue Curacao (1/3 fl. oz)
• a cocktail cherry

Shake the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, doublestrain into a ice-cold cocktail glass (put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes or so), then gently pour the blue curacao in the middle of the drink and finally drop a cherry in the middle.