Thankfully, Rayadell did not have long to wait. Only a few seconds after Merek had disappeared through the house to the front door, her head cocked toward the kitchen’s back door beside her as a voice she recognized as Salven’s wafted faintly through it. She gripped her staff tighter, and she stepped hastily aside, expecting Salven to enter, bow or sword at the ready.
	But it was not Salven the gentle breeze blew in. She took in the elf who walked through instead. Though he looked as young as she was often mistaken for, she knew better than to speculate. He could easily be her elder.
	Thea, whose attention had turned from her stew to look to the new arrival, smiled at his compliment.
	“Thanks, hon. But hold that thought!” Thea hastily sat her ladle down and hurried to the front door, calling her husband’s name as she disappeared into the adjoining room, her movements rather sprightly for one of her stature.
	Her expression apathetic, Rayadell returned Calanon’s greeting with one of her own. Placing her right hand in front of her chest, her palm held flat toward the floor, she mimicked his slight bow.
	“Calanon, I presume?” she asked as she straightened, her tone lukewarm.
	Thea quickly reappeared, her husband, who towered over her by at least a foot, right behind her.
	“Pardon my poor manners, hon!” Thea flicked her apron at her own rudeness. “I’m Thea. And this--” 
	“Her husband, Merek Carish,” the man introduced himself, stepping forward to offer Calanon a hand in greeting.
	“Like I told Rayadell,” Thea continued, ignoring the others in the kitchen, “we can discuss the matters at hand over stew.” A slight shadow crossed her eyes, her expression sobering slightly, but she quickly replaced it with her friendly smile. “I’m sure you’re half-starved by now!” She quickly set to laying out wooden bowls at each of the chairs around the small table. “Please, have a seat!” she added as Merek sat heavily in one of the chairs, leaned back, and linked his fingers behind his head.
	Rayadel hesitated, but turned one of the chairs closest to the back door to the side. She sat carefully, ever mindful of the wings hidden beneath her cloak, as Thea began to dish out the stew.