Darin, never once in her life, had to describe apple pie. As such she wasn’t entirely sure how to do so, “It’s not really like bread.” She held her hands out to indicate a circle, “It’s a circle dish that you put a layer of pastry in. Then you fill the rest of the pan with apples or cherries or whatever kind of fruit you want. Then you put another layer of pastry on top. There was some that night at The Farm. You might have missed it since it came out during the dancing. It’s a desert. So, you mix the fruit filling with things like sugar and spices. It’s yummy; one of my favorites. Cherry is good too.”

She wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t described snow very well. It seemed like she wasn’t good at describing things. Still, Ridahne had heard stories before and odds were that they would seem some sooner or later on this journey. Darin didn’t think it would be this winter season though. They were heading further south and she thought that they would be in Azurei by the time the snows were supposed to start falling. So, they would have to wait until next season. If Darin remembered the map correctly, they couldn’t go any more south than Azurei so after that they would be heading back north. Darin had a feeling they both would be seeing a lot of new things on this trip. Darin herself had never even heard of coconuts and she had only ever heard of chocolate.

She shook her head, “I’ve never heard of coconuts and there is no way I could afford chocolate. I could barely afford soap and if I didn’t grow my own food there have been several occasions where my mother and I would have both starved.” Darin gave a breathy sigh, “It wasn’t always like that though. Before he left, we were fine. We could easily buy the necessities and even the occasional treat. After he left it got … harder. The only way I could get sugar was right before feast days and that was only because, somehow, despite my contrary nature, I made the best apple pie in the village. Once all the pie was made there was very little left over. I horded as much as I could for our personal use, but it was never enough. Honey was easier to get. We would put that in our porridge and in our tea. I’ve only had coffee once and that was because a trader in Lively was feeling generous. It was shortly after he left. Everyone knew. I was still in shock. Mama was still lost.” Darin gave her head a shake of her head, “It doesn’t matter now. Sooner or later all of Astra will know who I am. Then I suspect that I will be treated with respect beyond my due.” She sighed, “Since I’ve meet you more and more people just know who I am. I have to wonder if there is any point at all to traveling in disguise.”

That was a question that had been plaguing her frequently lately. Everyone she had meet lately knew who she was. Logically Darin knew it was because the people here, the Eluri, had visions. Humans didn’t and she didn’t know about Sirens. Perhaps they did, perhaps they didn’t. There would be no point in hiding in Azurei, but perhaps in other lands. Darin looked at her hands. They weren’t as calloused as she would like. That was how Ridahne had known she was a girl. Darin didn’t want to be known as soon as she meet someone. Maybe she should start wearing gloves. She wasn’t sure where she would get a pair though. Maybe she could barter for a pair here in this village. Though she did have other things to worry about here in this village.

Darin found herself asking another question, “When you have free time, however rare it is, what do you do to fill it? I like to swim though never in an ocean, in the lake near my farm. I would love to see the ocean. I hear it tastes like salt. Is that true?”