Eternal Entities

Chapter 18

"Wow!" Spivi and Loro gasped as Nağme served them dinner. She set down a plate with a breaded and fried piece of fish with a side of red rice and beans. The smell of spices wafted through the small building.

"Where did you learn how to cook like this?" Loro asked as he cut into the piece of fish. The just flaked off the bone.

Nağme finished dishing up two more plates for Aavistus and Valgus. She walked back over to the table with a bounce in her step and chipperly began to say, "Oh, the chefs in the pal- "Aavistus cut her off with a clearing of his throat. He locked eyes with Nağme as she set the plate in front of him, and he took a sip of water. Nağme picked up where she left off, 'Excuse me, I meant that in our hometown the chefs at a local restaurant taught me some recipes."

"And we are very glad they did," Valgus chuckled. "I do not know what we would be doing without her skills."

"Oh, please Valgus. You praise me too much." Nağme sat down with her own plate of food. As she began to eat, Nağme told Spivi, "Once supper is over, Spivi, and everything is cleaned, we can begin crafting your instrument."

Spivi's eyes lit up. "Yes Miss!" he enthusiastically replied. He hurried to scarf down his helping of food.

Loro put out a hand to stop his son, "Mind your manners Spiv! If you keep up that pace you'll choke." Spivi swallowed the mouthful he had and slowed his eating. The dinner went smoothly. A light-hearted atmosphere surrounded the table. As the meal came to an end, Loro stored the leftover red rice and beans for the next day. Spivi followed Nağme's heels.

"Little One, while I get the other materials ready, how about you get that magnificent stick you showed me earlier," Nağme instructed the young fae. Spivi nodded and went to retrieve the stick. Nağme turned her attention to Valgus and Aavistus. "Could you find me a knife that I can carve with?"

"Sure thing," Valgus responded. He and Aavistus went in search for a blade. Nağme went through the other materials she had bought.

Nağme sighed as she set out a large piece of coal and a piece of chalk. "I had forgotten how expensive crafting an instrument this way would be," she whispered to herself.

"Miss, I brought the stick!" Spivi announced his return.

Nağme put her smile back on the boy, "Wonderful. May I get a better look at it?" She held her hands out to receive the piece of wood that was nearly as tall as the boy. Spivi, in his excitement, shoved it into her hands. Nağme chucked, "You sure are not the shy fae in the crowd anymore."

"Oh, sorry. It is just...you are the first person to gift me something." Spivi shuffled his feet in a bashful manner.

"Um, Nağme. We...have a situation..." Valgus poked in.

Nağme tilted her head to one side and asked, "A situation?"

"The only blade that would be, um, suitable for carving is...Miss Vanajja's dagger..."

Nağme tightened her grip on the piece of wood. "Doesn't Loro have anything?"

Aavistus walked into the room with his head held high. He held the sheathed dagger. "Loro does not practice surgical procedures. The only knives he owns are used for preparing medicinal herbs and meals, and they are far from sharp," Aavistus relayed. He offered the blade to his sister. "Loro took it from her at my request. Just use it and direct her rage to me after."

"But...Aavistus..." Nağme hesitated. She looked between her brother and Spivi with a puckered face before taking the dagger. "Huh...I will assure it is not damaged."