When Worlds Collide

Twelve

Callan raised a beer in the air, prompting Brietta next to me to pass me a bottle of ale that she had secured for the both of us. It was slightly warm, as we had no way to keep them cool out in the open forest. I looked down and feebly attempted to twist off the cap, but the serrated edges hurt my palms and I look back at Bri for help. She grinned and ruffled my hair before popping the bottle in her mouth and using her teeth to bite off the cap. I stared at her in disbelief as she handed the beer back to me and took a swig of her own.

I was about to comment when Callan began to speak and I ended up swallowing my words, instead turning back to face him.

"I would like to begin this feast with saying our gratitude to our Goddess, whom has bestowed upon us a delicious meal, safety beside her lake to rest our heads and perhaps the most wonderful gift of all. Today, gentlemen, you may look to the Golden Mountains with thanks for she has brought to you your Queen."

Twenty pairs of eyes turned to face me and I could feel myself shrinking down into myself, wishing that the log I was sat on would split in two and the ground beneath would swallow me up. I managed a small smile, the blush upon my cheeks burning beneath my skin. I looked up at Callan silently begging him that he would not ask me to speak.

"That is all, please enjoy."

My shoulders slumped with relief and I sank gratefully onto Brietta's shoulder as she wordlessly wrapped her arm around me.

"Do you want me to go and get you some food?"

I nodded, "Please Brietta, thankyou."

Brietta squeezed my arm before she moved to gather some food for us both. I paid attention to the writing on the bottle still held tightly in my hands and decided it would not hurt to take a small sip. I pursed my lips as the ale went down my throat, it was not all that unpleasant, but it would certainly take some more sips to get used to. It was fairly light and had an underlying sweetness to it that I knew the beer back home in the village did not have. 'Bitter' the men called it when they asked for a pint.

I had taken a few more gulps before Bri came back with our food. She had secured some strips of venison and some canned vegetables that had been heated over the fire. The venison I was unfamiliar with, but the vegetables were a familiar comfort and I happily began to eat them.

"Mmm, try the deer Phina its yummy. I can see why these Lycans eat tons of meat," Brietta moaned beside me.

I giggled, "Bri don't make that noise, you'll draw attention."

Bri laughed, "I'm serious, try it!"

I picked up a long strip of the browned meat, the middle still slightly pink and tipped my head back to bite into the end. It was surprisingly tender for wild game and I found myself closing my eyes to savour its taste.

"Oh that is good," I complimented, finishing the strip.

"I told you!" Brietta replied, biting into another piece. "After this, do you want to go and bathe? It's dark now so if we head further along the lake, they should not be able to see us."

I nodded, taking another swig of my drink, "Yes please, have you asked Maeva and Fleur?"

I scanned my eyes across the camp, ignoring the fact that King Callan was staring in my direction, until I found Maeva and Fleur sat with Lex and Maeva's mate, a warrior she had yet to give the name of. Fleur was happily conversing with Lex, but Maeva had a face of thunder and her mate looked thoroughly miserable. Although it had not ever been in my nature, I felt somewhat sorry for him.

"I have and they wish to come with us, I know you and Maeva do not get along, but perhaps she will hold her tongue for once?"

I raised my eyebrows, "I do not wish to speak ill of the girl, but is that actually possible?"