The Phoenix and the Lamb

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Cult of the Lamb. I am simply a fan of the game. I was inspired by Jbrine061. Please check out her story. She is amazing. Now onto the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To say making the rice pudding was tiring was an understatement. Edan didn't think so many steps would be needed to ensure the rice was clean, the milk was boiling, and the whole thing was sweetened just right! He was resting at the table as Benjamin took care of the final steps. The more he thought of it, the more Edan believed the fairy to be a butler or care taker of sorts. Technically, he was right. Benjamin had known Ebany since she was born and cared for her like a parent would.

Ebany herself was tired and had forgotten how long it took for the pudding to cook. She was greatful for Benjamin taking over after she got tired near the end. All they had to do now was wait... And take Rune outside to do her business. Ebany got up and excused herself from the table. She called Rune to her and walked outside, leaving Edan alone with Benjy.

Edan looked at the fairy who was still at stirring the pot. "Benjamin? How long have you known Ebany?" He asked.

The fairy looked over at him, currently in his human sized form, "Since she was born. I used to be her father's familiar, along with my cousin, Dusk. We were the best of friends and didn't want to be separated so we made it so we'd be summoned together. After Ebany grew up, I felt a pull to become her familiar. She wanted me to be her familiar as well. We performed the spell and I transferred masters. I've been with Ebany ever since." He closed the pot, "Now we wait."

Edan was intrigued. In his village, no one had magic and any merchant that came every now and then didn't have magic either. The only times he knew about it were in fairy tales and stories for children. Ebany and Benjamin were the real deal; he's seen them first hand.

"What sort of magic does Ebany have?" He asked another question.

"Ebany should be the one to answer, but there shouldn't be any harm in me telling you. Mostly fire magic and general spells with a powerful one on occasion. Phoenix kin are known to have strong magic because of their creature half fueling their human or whatever their other half is. Ebany could use spells to do every bit of house work, but she chooses not to, not wanting to rely heavily on magic."

Edan listened as Benjamin told him about his host. Edan learned more about the type of person Ebany was. Speaking of, she came back in after Rune had finished what she needed.

"How's the rice pudding coming along?" She walked back into the kitchen.

"We just need to wait until it's ready, mistress." Benjy replied, to which Ebany responded with a nod.

"In that case, we can relax a little." She sat down. Rune ran to her toys and dug through them to play to her heart's content.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was something I wanted to know about Edan, but it might be a personal topic...

"Edan?" I looked at him and he turned to me, "May I ask you about your life in your village? Before the cultists came?"

Edan's expression didn't change much, but after a little silence, he nodded.

"It was typical village life. I lived with my family. We made a loving selling textiles and farming. My mother was a seamstress and my father was a farmer. I went to school with my siblings and tried not to fall asleep in class," he added some humor, "we had a bet going to see who'd be the first to sleep. I managed to win. It was basically like that forever until... You know."

I nodded as he finished. It sounded much of my life before we had to go into hiding. "Sounds like my life before we had to scatter. The differences being in our parents' occupations. My father ran an herb shop and mother helped him in that business."