Rayadell leaned her staff against the table beside her. She kept all three of the house’s current occupants in her line of sight, Calanon resting more in her peripherals. When offered a glass of water, she opened her mouth to decline, but Thea placed one in front of her anyway before she could speak, then hurried back to the counter.
	Noticing Calanon’s glance, she returned it, her head turning just enough to put him better in her sight before looking back to the couple.
	With the stew dished out and the broth steaming invitingly, the scent tantalizing, Rayadell absently turned the ornate bowl. Though her stomach growled softly at the aroma, she made no move to consume it. She watched Merek closely as he straightened in his chair, waiting for him and Thea to take the first bite.
	Merek leaned over his bowl and inhaled the scent. He gave a contented sigh, then, ignoring the spoon that had been placed beside the bowl, picked it up and slurped some down.
	“Manners, Merek!” Thea scolded, glancing over her shoulder as she pulled two more glasses from a cupboard. “We have guests!”
	“Who I’m sure have encountered ruder ways of eating!” All the same, he placed the bowl back on the table and used the spoon.
	With a shake of her head, Thea poured two more glasses of water for her and Merek, then sat beside her husband and started on her food.
	“You told me a life was at stake?” Rayadell asked, eager to get to the point of their meeting as she picked up her spoon.
	Thea’s lips pulled down, and she looked suddenly ten years older, a shadow again crossing her eyes. Merek, too, looked somber as he chewed a chunk of meat.
	To Rayadell’s surprise, it was Merek who answered.
	“Our daughter,” he muttered into his soup.
	“It’s why we’ve come to you for assistance.” Thea took a deep breath. “It came on nearly two months ago. We don’t know how, or even what it is, but even the best healer has failed to alleviate her of it. Her health has only continued to deteriorate. If we don’t obtain a cure soon...” Her trembling words trailed off.
	“It’s an enchantment, I tell you!” Merek growled, his hand balling into a fist around his spoon.
	“When the healers failed, we started to search,” Thea continued. “We uncovered a legend about a talisman that could cure all ills, both normal and magic. Including enchantments and, even, curses.” She glanced between Calanon and Rayadell, who raised her chin a fraction. “Treasure hunters have been after it for many a year, but all have failed to locate it.”
	“But we have,” Merek added with a tone of relieved triumph.
	“We’ve narrowed it down to a northern mountain. But, alas, neither of us were made for such adventures.” The couple cast each other a regretful glance, Thea’s eyes watery. “Which is what has brought us all here. You two are our last hope. Of course, should the talisman not...” she took a steadying breath, “should it not work, or if we are incorrect about its location, we’ll still compensate you greatly for your troubles.”
	Rayadell sat quietly, searching for any signs of misgivings in their demeanor. But she saw none. As far as she could tell, they were truly desperate for a way to save someone they loved. Her gaze softened slightly. She knew all too well what the fear of losing someone you loved felt like.