Alcingeria

Chapter Twenty Four: A Day In The Forest

Chapter Twenty Four: A Day In The Forest

Saturday June 26th 1690

I awoke to the sound of footsteps in the kitchen. The sound of both wooden and metal pots clanging against things was also in the air. I looked over to the other bunks and found that Don was still sleeping, so was Stella. The rest of them were empty. I got out of bed and walked to the kitchen. My footsteps were marked by a thud against the wooden floorboards. I stepped into the kitchen and the smell of vegetables and cinnamon filled my nose. I saw Martha making breakfast, moving plates and platters around as she needed to. Tabatha was across the room, sweeping the floor. Her staff was leaning against the back of her chair at the table.

"Good morning, Redmond." Robert called.

I looked over to him. He was sitting at the table with Francella, Raymond, Macalister and Erin.

"Morning."

I pulled up a chair and sat down between Robert and Erin.

"Have Ceberus and William left yet?" I asked.

"They left early this morning," he replied. "They woke me up."

"Oh, well I hope they'll be all right," I said. "It's a dangerous job they're doing."

"I'm sure they will be. Ceberus took his musket with him." Martha said with absolute confidence. "Those two are more than capable of handling themselves out there."

Regardless of her tone, I suspected that she was worrying beneath the surface. I heard someone coming from the bunk room, and In a few seconds Don emerged. He stretched, yawned, and rubbed his eyes.

"Morning everyone." He said while rubbing his eyes.

When he lowered his hands, he found himself looking right at Tabatha. She looked back at him, and he eyed her broom.

"Heading out somewhere?" He asked.

"Ha ha, very funny."

"Can you fly on a broomstick?" Macalister asked.

"Of course not!" She snapped, her eyes burning a hole in his face. "What do you take me for?"

"A witch."

Tabatha just scowled and shook her head. Instead, she looked over at Robert, still somewhat annoyed by Macalister's remark.

"Hey Robert, trust me yet?"

He just stared at her.

"Thought I'd ask."

Don smirked to himself as he sat down at the table with us. Robert, Macalister and I grinned widely at Don in appreciation for his witty remark. He sat next to Francella and Raymond. It wasn't long before Stella poked her head into the kitchen.

"Oh, Martha!" She smiled, "something smells good!"

"We're having cold vegetables and cinnamon buns," she explained, raising a finger to her lips. "Although, I'm going to need a few of you to run into town later today and pick up some groceries."

"I can go, Martha." Tabatha volunteered.

"Me too!" Stella said enthusiastically.

"I'll go as well." Erin said.

Martha nodded.

"Thank you, girls." She looked over at us. "Do any of you boys want to go into town with them?"