How The Soothsaying Started

A light-hearted night

The next day, Charles, Rose and Kaza set out to find food. The group had been forced to flee without the supplies they needed, and were now low. Kaza and Rose both had a large knowledge on edible wildlife, and were certain that they could find enough for all.

“These are like the woods surrounding my home village,” Kaza said. “We should be able to find everything we need here.” Rose nodded in agreement and bent down to pick a yarrow leaf off the ground. “It’s a common ingredient in poultices,” she explained to Charles. “It helps stop bleeding.”

“Ah.” He said. He was rather out of his element in the woods. Having been raised in a wealthy family had it’s perks, but it also left him with almost no knowledge about surviving in the wild.

“Look, Rose!” Kaza exclaimed, bending down by a small pond. “I found typha!” She pulled a cattail out of the water, shaking it dry “I can make my cattail cakes! My mom gave me the recipe book..” Her voice faded. She pulled a small, leather-bound book from her back pocket. “It’s really the only thing I have from home. It has all sorts of recipes and medicines handy for survival.” Kaza handed the book to Rose, her blue eyes shining with tears. “This is truly amazing,” Rose said. “It has basically everything we need in it.” She glanced at the younger girl, who was staring at a tree. “Is your mother dead?” She asked softly. Kaza nodded. “She was very sick, and my step-father was worried all the money would go to me and my brother. He took us into town and left us. Then he poisoned her.” She sniffled. “My brother and this book were all I had left.” “Well, then where is your brother, he can come with us!” Charles exclaimed proudly, thinking he had solved the situation. “My brother is dead, Charles. The castle guards killed him when they caught him trying to steal food. He was only nine..” She cried, laying her head in Rose’s lap. Realization dawned on Charles. The guards had caught a small boy in the kitchens, only last year. He remembered the boy was brought before the king, and the king ordered execution for treason. “Oh no,” He whispered, suddenly awkward. While Rose had a look of disgust and slight anger spread on her face. “It’s okay, I know it wasn’t your fault.” Kaza wiped her nose on her sleeve. “Let’s just get back to work.”

For the rest of the afternoon, they were silent, only speaking when Charles found a recently killed deer, and Kaza exclaimed she would make stew.

“This is truly the best stew I have ever had!” Admin said, helping himself to thirds. “I vote we make Kaza our official cook/thief!” He laughed. Five other hands shot in the air as they all yelled, “Aye!!”