“Don’t worry too much. You’re safe here. People learn to forgive. Hatred fades away.”

As comforting as the words sounded, both twins glanced back at Vordan Dawarum. If anything, he was an example of how hatred doesn’t fade. Two hundred years have passed from the Dark War, and yet its hatred still lingers in many hearts. Setna turned back to watch the red head amble away from the group. His dark blue eyes took in his form. Tirian had claimed that he was many things, and although Setna was grateful for the support, he couldn’t afford to trust anyone yet. Especially with a jackass already expressing hatred towards them. Setna’s hand found his sister’s and he gently tugged her forward.

Serna looked at her brother and then the rest of the group. She squeezed Setna’s hand and looked at the ground. Why were they doing this? They should go back home…something bad was going to happen, she could feel it deep in her gut. No one had escaped the sacrificial rites of the God’s Festival. Whether it was the gods, or their people, something was going to come for them. Something bad. They couldn’t just leave unpunished like this. Serna bit her bottom lip and squeezed her brother’s hand tighter. Setna looked back at her and gave an encouraging smile. 

They reached Deetri and Setna helped his sister up onto the horse’s broad back. He then grabbed the reins and led the horse forward. 

Rudolf took control of the lead oxen and whooped loudly. “Ready everyone? Let’s head out!”

With a whip and a crack of his reins, the caravan was off…slowly. The oxen moved at their own gait, rumbling forward with their canvas covered carts.

Aaerynn had called Baineth to her and mounted the mare in one fell swoop. However, she lagged behind, distancing herself from the group as she preferred to keep up the rear. Although she was disappointed to see that the caravan barely moved at a trot. She sighed in annoyance and Baineth nickered. “Don’t give me attitude…” Aaerynn mumbled to the mare.

Rudolf hummed to himself as they entered the North Woods. “Tell me young musicians!” He called out to Caelis and Faith. “Have you heard of this chant? You know it must be sung on all travels for protection!”

Without anyone answering him or before anyone could interrupt, Rudolf began to belt out a song, his voice booming and slightly off tune. 

[b]“Beware the darkness of the woods
Beware the stench of wolves
Beware the shadows
of these trees
that hide your 
enemies!

Be sure your fire’s nice and bright
Be sure your friends are near
Be sure to hold your loved one tight
And never show your fear!”[/b]

The last note he held for what seemed like minutes and Setna plugged his ears with his fingers so he wouldn’t have to hear any more of the old dwarf’s belting. 

Aaerynn grimaced at the end of the line. Well, at least anyone or anything following them would have surely run off after hearing that. 

They traveled for a few more hours until the darkness began to settle in the trees and they were forced to set up camp. Rudolf delegated different chores and it wasn’t long before a nice fire was built and everyone had a comfortable place to sit and settle down. 

“Now!” Rudolf gave a bemused face as he set down different cooking utensils. “I always start a new journey with my famous hodge podge dish!”

Aaerynn's lip curled in a grimace at the familiar name of that disgusting dish. She had made herself room on a large tree branch, one of her feet dangling idly off it. She searched through her pack, finding some elven bread. There was no way she was going to taste that poisonous dish ever again. She was lucky to have lived through it the first time.

Rudolf unraveled a pack of all different types of ingredients and rubbed his hands together. 

Serna frowned in concern, biting her bottom lip. Setna noticed her paling face and gently nudged her forward. The girl looked back at her brother in uncertainty, and Setna urged her forward once more. “Go on…” He whispered to her, waving her away.

Serna swallowed her nerves and turned back to Rudolf who was busy throwing things into a large cauldron. “Um…Sir VanKirtschein…”

“Rudolf!” He corrected her without looking at her.

“S-Sir Rudolf…surely…um…you don’t intend to cook all of that…at the same time d-do you?” Serna curled into herself a bit with uncertainty, but she couldn’t let him continue to cook like that.

“Of course I am dear! It’s the hodge podge! Tirian, Tirian my boy, tell her how good it is!” Rudolf called out to the red head and Serna looked over in concern.

Tirian had been in thought when the bellowing voice called out to him. That cauldron, he’d known it a bit too well. His eyes grew with a look that spoke louder than any words. Fortunately Serna had blocked the view from the stout dwarf so Tirian could give an honest shake of his head no. 

However his voice came out monotone and sarcastic as he said, “Yeah. Great.”

Serna looked back at the dwarf who frowned at the obvious sarcastic response. He turned to his other companion. “Aaerynn?”

“I’m not eating anything you cook dwarf.” Her response was directly to the point and the old dwarf was defeated.

Serna gently put her hands up and looked at her brother. Setna nodded and urged her on, waving at her to get it over with. She swallowed again nervously. “Um…perhaps I can help you…We can make something similar…If you’d like...Th-that is.”

Rudolf went from defeated to completely lit up. “Of course my dear! Of course! Come sit by me! Show me how it is done!”

Serna smiled and relaxed a bit. She undid her cloak and immediately went to work. Setna came closer as he watched his sister grow a confidence he didn’t know she had. She worked diligently, her small hands finely chopping ingredients confidently with a large knife. Her eyes were focused on the task as she removed poisonous bits from mushrooms and told Rudolf how to cook the chicken and keep the broth. She peeled the carrots and potatoes with a skilled hand and Setna observed his sister with a new found amazement.

“Did they teach you that?” He whispered to her as he sat closer, watching as she finely pressed and chopped garlic. 

Serna’s gentle blue eyes didn’t look up as she continued her task. “Yes. I had to do something for four years.”

A small smile graced her lips and Setna smiled as well. “Mum would be really proud.” He told her, looking up at her face.

Serna paused for a second as she heard that. Her hand trembled slightly before she returned to slicing. “Yes…I guess she would.”

Setna turned silent, wishing he hadn’t brought it up and watched as Serna began placing ingredients in the right order into the cauldron. Eventually the camp filled up with a delicious aroma that certainly wouldn’t have been caused by the dwarf’s cooking.

Rudolf returned to the girl’s side with a large set of bowls. “What a lovely girl! I don’t believe I’ve ever smelled anything quite as wonderful as this!”

Serna flushed a bit. “It’s just a simple dish. No need for f-flattery.”

She stirred it with a ladle and once it was done she began pouring the stew into the bowls. She helped hand it out with Rudolf, her hands nervous and shaking slightly as she handed a bowl to everyone. She paused in front of Vordan however, and looked away, trying not to look at his face. She didn’t even know if he wanted any, seeing as she was the one that cooked it. 

“Um…” She tried to find her words, but slowly just held the bowl out, seeing if he would take it.

Setna tightened up waiting to see and respond to the reaction of the man from Ellahur.