Two Kingdoms

Chapter 4

(The Forest)

"You know what? Working isn't as hard as I thought it might be. I've been really enjoying it since we started 5 days ago." Lana commented, picking up a pile of books and putting them on the bookcase. "Oh and, what time is it sis? It's prob around noon. What should we do for lunch?"

"Hmm. Eat lunch, obviously, and maybe..." Melissa was interrupted by Julie calling for them.

"Girls? Do you think you can go into the woods to find some fresh edible mushrooms and herbs?." asked Julie.

"Yeah, sure." replied Melissa.

"Oh, if you do see any nuts, berries or wild honey, could you two please collect some as well?" question Julie.

"Of course Julie, we'll be glad to. Let us just pack a lunch." Lana stood up.

"Well....maybe since we're going to be in the forest we could pack something simple to bring there?" replied Melissa.

"Ya, maybe just some bread and cheese. I always love that. And we might find some snacks out there on the way too. Oh and some water."

"Wow. Wouldn't Mom just kill us when she finds out about how we are living right now....that is if she is still alive...." murmured Melissa sadly. She had not known she would miss her mother this much.

"She is. I just know it. And yes, she would be yelling at us, but father would be trying not laugh." Lana giggled.

"Oh, Lana. You always manage to cheer me up when I am down." Melissa hugged Lana tightly. "I am so happy to have you!"

"That's what sisters are for, right. And I don't know what I would do without you either. You always keep me out of trouble...well sometimes when you're not agreeing with my scheme" Lana laughed, hugging her sister.

Julie smiled silently at the girls. She had grown very fond of them both. "I'll go and pack you girls bread and cheese and maybe some ham. You two go and get ready the baskets," informed Julie. She turned around and disappeared into the deli section. In the next 30 minutes, the girls had finished putting the new books up and getting their lunch ready.

"Do you think we need to bring a cloak? Oh, and I think I'll bring my weapons, it is the forest you know." Lana started to walk toward Merek's small house.

Melissa followed. "Yeah. Let's bring a cloak and our weapons." The two girls entered into Merek's house and headed to their room. Melissa dug around in her chest of drawers and drew out a thick black cloak lined with fur. She dug around into the topmost drawer and pulled on her rings and attached her pouch full of poisonous darts onto her leather belt.

Lana headed to her drawers and pulled out a brown cloak, also lined with fur. She went to another spot of the room and picked up her bow and arrows and put them on her back, she also picked up her small sword and put the belt, where the sword hung, around her waist.

"Ready Mel? We probably should tell Merek or Jim where are going."

"Yeah, let's tell Merek..." answered Melissa. She headed out and bumped into Jim.

"Hey, girls! Where are you two headed?" he asked.

"Oh, we were going out into the forest to gather some materials needed for the market. Do you think you could tell Merek where we went?" asked Melissa.

"Of course! You can count on me." Jim grinned. "Good luck and remember, be safe!."

"Thanks." The girls called back.

"Have you ever felt..weird when we're around Jim?" Lana looked curiously at Mel.

"Why? Weird? As in...?" Melissa looked curiously at Lana.