I strode across the first floor of the inn, past the front counter, and into the kitchen. My father was out for the night, but my mother was baking away, cooking another small batch of stuffed potatoes, duck, and ham. The rich smell of gravy and mushroom soup filled my nose as I entered and was greeted by a large pot steaming what vegetables we had left for the night. Looks like we were making the last batch tonight.
“So, Mom?” I began and she turned towards me. My mother was a spritely woman for her age, looking no older than thirty. She looked even more ordinary then me, hazel brown hair pulled back to a bun and intense brown eyes. Currently those eyes were focused on her work of dicing up the next patron’s dinner. While my dad had my sense of adventure, she had something the two of us would get trounced by time and time again. She was clever as a fox.
“What is it?” Her eyes did not leave her work for a second.
“Well, you know that noble family that’s staying in room seven? They need a guide to Mithil, and they’re wondering if I could do it. They’re paying well, too.” I was getting more and more excited as my mind ran through the possibilities of weeks-long adventure with Aria. Then I saw that glint in my mother’s eyes, followed by a cheeky smile. That usually meant she had one of her ploys in her mind.
“Boy or girl?”
“M-Mother!” I let out a protest that rang across the kitchen. “That’s not the point! And…girl…” I finally managed as she shrugged.
“I’m just pointing it out. You want to make sure you get something out of all this, all right? We don’t get many nobles wanting to trek in the winter. Also, if you got them eating out of your hand, might as well get the most valuable thing out of them. Other nobles! I’m sure they know a cute boy or two that could use some help.” She winked as I found myself profoundly embarrassed.
“I thought you’d be more worried about this,” I stated, trying to shift the topic away from something so uncomfortable. My mother continued her work as if nothing had happened.
“Well, I am, but I also know when an opportunity arises.”
I turned to check on the duck. Almost done.
“Your father on the other hand, he needs convincing.”
“Thanks, Mom. Could you help me with Dad? Don’t want him and me parting on bad terms.” I tried to force a smile, but she turned around to glare at me, stopping me in my tracks.
“Now I didn’t say I was done, young lady. You stay in Mithil at your brother’s place, you hear? Then as soon as the spring path opens, you head right on back. I don’t care if you’ve got a baby in your stomach from the royal prince, but you are not allowed to make your mother worry.”
I scratched my head as I felt her glare burrowing into my soul. Is this what it feels like to be let off the leash for the first time?
“So, you’re okay then? I think the duck’s ready.”
My mother nodded as I cut out some duck to taste. Yep, it was ready.
“Well it’s always hard letting the birdie out of the nest, but you learn when to pick your moments. Kennith got the brunt of it from your father.” She picked up the duck and began slicing it to bits, talking to me all the while.
“Yeah, he told me. Several dozen times by now,” I groaned, remembering how my older brother and my dad never got along until he moved away.
“What if I bring home a girl?” I asked, wanting to hear my mother’s reaction. I didn’t think I could date Aria or something silly like that, but it’s a fun thought to throw out there.
“You mean a baby girl? Trust me, you can try, but there isn’t enough time between now and spring for that.” She dismissively waved her hands as I started slinking away. It wasn’t what I meant nor what I was trying to say anyways.
“Never mind,” I began. “I’m going to go tell them that I’ll be joining them tomorrow. You’ll fill Dad in?”
Mom nodded as she finished a fresh plate of duck. “I will. Also buy yourself something nice with what they’re paying you. Get every copper out of them!”
I smile. That was the mother I knew.
“Oh, and before you wander off with that grin the size of a barn, go and get these plates out!” She pointed at the stack of dishes piling up.
“Right, sorry!” I blurted out, suddenly remembering that I had a job to do.
Chapter 3: First Snow
I rubbed my eyes, taking a morning yawn as I glanced around my room. Today was going to be the start of a great adventure, assuming my dad wasn’t going to be a killjoy and insist that I don’t go. I shot out of bed, before reality smacked me in the face. Snow: a flurry of white covering my window with insidious ice.
“Oh come on,” I groaned out loud. My plan was for the snow to at least take a few days to arrive, as the safer and faster central trail to Mithil would be buried by then. The side trails required a mountain trek, something that I wasn’t looking forward to.
“Okay. String and twine, arrows and bags against rime. Nasty sticks of flame and…” I sang to myself, packing the items in precise order.
My father taught me, and his mother taught him the same tune, helping immortalize what we needed to get through the winter trails. The fun little bit was how each generation added onto the song. I was still thinking of what I could add, but unlike my dad, I was pretty content with it. Adding too much would make it too heavy for comfort.
Then I heard a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” I shouted, still snapping on my cape.
By the time I turned around, the door was already open and my dad was standing at the doorway. He and I shared a tenuous glance, before he gave a somewhat nervous wave.
He had the same striking amber eyes as I did, and his hair was lighter than mine and my mother’s. Over the years he’d managed to grow a bit of a beer belly, despite his constant ventures into the woods.
“You’re heading out.” My dad was a tall and broad man, but he was always a bit shy around me and my mother. I’d say reserved, but it felt more like he had things to say, but didn’t want to tell us. It was always for our sake, which never stopped giving my mother headaches.
“Yes.”
“Your ma and I talked about it last night, and I ought to let you go.” There was a silence as we stared at each other. I was waiting for him to give me the ‘but’. Instead he just stood there, a little unsure of what to say.
“So when you come back, just give us a heads up on how your brother’s doing.” He finally said and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sure.”
I was a little surprised how well it went. I was expecting a fight about the responsibilities and the whatnot, complete with a shouting match.
