Hexe - The Great Exodus

[CH. 0040] - Echos of Love

Dois bock mir gut tu!

Phrase

Translation: Two jugs of your best [beer]

Definition: "Dois bock mir gut tu!" is a colloquial expression in Menschen, commonly uttered in taverns and inns when one wishes to partake in the establishment's finest brew. The phrase blends the conviviality of a casual order with a compliment to the brewer's skill, implying that the speaker trusts the establishment's quality. It is a hearty request that reflects the cultural appreciation for good ale and the social bonds formed over shared drinks.

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As the end of the moon once again approached, Claramae prepared for her journey to Mir-Sun on her wagon, the nearest town to Faewood. Known for its predominantly human population, Mir-Sun was no stranger to the occasional faerie visitors, like Claramae, who often ventured here only for essential supplies or for the comfort of cold beer.

On this occasion, her shopping list was unusually specific. She needed gasoline, a staple item for her trips, and this time, clothing was also a priority, especially a pair of sturdy boots, some baby clothing and cloth nappies, a lot of them.

The recent and abrupt drop in temperature had made her and her sisters' usual walking barefoot not just uncomfortable but downright impossible.

Things were changing.

Within the borders of Faewood, life flourished as always, shielded beneath a protective dome created by Yeso using the Ormstaad. This barrier made of ley lines insulated the faerie community from the harsh, frigid conditions that gripped the world beyond their forest.

The inhabitants lived in blissful ignorance of the severe cold outside, with only a handful of faeries, Claramae among them, privy to the reality of the situation. Those who ventured beyond the woods required suitable clothing to withstand the chill. And they needed to be prepared in case the Ormstaad ever failed them. After all, Yeso was just a creature like them.

Their Godmama had explicitly instructed all fairies and fae that the Menschen — Yeso, Noctavia, and their son Orlo — were to remain oblivious to these grim developments. She desired for her charges, particularly the young Orlo, to experience the beauty and tranquillity of their first Falls, unmarred by the knowledge of the wintry hardships enveloping the world outside.

Her intention was to shield them. She was lying out of love; Fall was gone, and Winter was staying for good.

As the afternoon waned into evening, with her tasks in Mir-Sun complete, Claramae headed straight for a tavern she knew well. Finding a quiet table, she placed her newly acquired supplies beside her and began to drink from a large beer jug.

The tavern offered a welcome haven from the nipping cold outside. Its warm, inviting atmosphere buzzed with the lively conversations and laughter of its patrons. Within these walls, it seemed the severity of the outside chill was either unknown or willfully ignored.

Indeed, there's a peculiar comfort in ignorance, as Ulencia used to tell her.

Claramae's distinctly faerie features blended seamlessly into the tavern's mostly human crowd, drawing little attention – a fact she greatly appreciated. With her brown hair and moth-like wings that subtly merged with her attire, she could easily pass as the girl next door, a regular in the eyes of the tavern's patrons.

The people here had grown accustomed to her visits, respecting her space and maintaining a courteous distance. That familiar tranquillity, however, was interrupted when a figure cloaked in a Black Robe made a beeline towards her.