I sat down at the table with my friends. The smell of the roasted meat and fresh bread was strong. I picked up my knife and fork. I moved with the grace Elena and Isolde had drilled into me for years. I kept my elbows off the table. I took small bites. But beneath the manners, a savage hunger clawed at my stomach. I wanted to tear into the meat with my bare hands. I forced myself to eat slowly and stay in control.

I took a drink of the mead and looked at the group.

[b]"Little Happens seems like a safe place for now,"[/b] I said, wiping my mouth with a napkin. [b]"But we must be careful. We only have twenty-three gold pieces left. If we plan to stay here for a long time, we will need to find a way to earn coin."[/b]

I turned my gaze to Meli. She still looked shaken from the children outside.

[b]"Meli, if you are feeling up to it, I think we should enter the Forests of Vestarel soon. We need to find whatever it was that Adam hid for us. It might be the key to saving your family."[/b]

I paused and looked around the busy tavern, thinking about the danger that was coming.

[b]"But before we go into the woods, I think we should try to find the leader of this town. I heard his name is Chief Garou. You said he has opposed the Ophidian government for a long time. The Windpikes burned our orchard and took the Gathering. They will not stop there. They will likely try to expand here next. If we warn him, he might become an ally."[/b]