Convergent Evolution by Kingsdaughter613  

Medicinal Tea

Later, of course, they all blamed it on Tyelcormo. It was, after all, his idea to steep coca leaf with a blend of vanilla, orange rind, cinnamon, and kola nut to create a medicinal tea certain to offer a burst of energy to the weariest soldier, and to test it on, of all people, his brother, Macalaurë.

Macalaurë reacted exactly as one might have expected. “Turko,” he demanded, “have you never heard of sugar?”

Tyelcormo laughed, throwing himself back into a convenient chair. “Really, Cano? I’d’ve thought you, of all people, would appreciate the complexity.”

“Oh, I appreciate it,” Macalaurë replied, cautiously taking another sip of the bitter brew. The flavouring was rather nice, once you got past the bitterness, fragrant, a hint of spice, the kola nut offering a much needed hit of delayed sweetness. It definitely had potential, only, “I’d merely appreciate it more with sugar.”

“Really?” Tyelcormo shot his brother a doubtful look. “You’ve never been one for sweet, Cano.”

“‘Tis the bitterness, Turko,” Macalaurë explained, leaning back as he expanded upon the subtleties of flavouring. “It haþ too much of it, and the kola nut comeþ in too late to balance. No, we must need cut the bitterness first, if this is to be of any use in the field. A steep in simple syrup, a squeeze of lemon, will do that, and provide energy additional, and so be doubly beneficial.” He took another sip of the tea, swirling it about his mouth as he contemplated the intricacies of flavour. “And mayhap we ought consider serving it cold. Over ice, if it can be had.”