I was pulled out of my reminiscing when I felt something. Not really a presence and yet still a presence. My brows pulled together and I felt a scowl come to my face.
It was Rune.
I continued down the hall and felt him getting closer with each step. I could tell he was in the kitchen, and stopped in the hall a few feet away from the door and started to contemplate my choices.
I could just skip breakfast and go on to the training barracks, or- no this was stupid and childish of me. Would I, Evelira Caladea, avoid this, this nobody of a man? No, he is nothing; I could kill him faster than a heartbeat.
I moved toward the kitchen and opened the door. I was greeted by the smell of fresh bread and the heat of the fires going and the sound of various meals being prepared. I quickly scanned the kitchen.
To the right just in the door way started the long counter that the breads and other baked goods were prepared on was. To my left was a bar that went all the way around to the wall across from the door I had just stepped through. The bar had one break in it for another door that led to servant passages to the multiple rooms and quarters of the palace. In the center of the room was a large counter that had some burners that had a plethora of pots and pans all cooking wonderful smelling food. On the left wall was the enormous fire place that was currently going with nothing on it. I looked at all of the kitchen staff and zeroed in on one of my few favorite people.
" Good Morning, Smithy" I started over to the island in the center of the kitchen. I ignored the blurred presence that marked Rune. "Would you by any chance have something for me to take as I head down to the training barracks?"
Smithy looked at me with his grey-green eyes. "Depends on what you have to offer." His eyes twinkled as a small smile played on his lips. Smithy is a stout man, but not huge. His hair was a copper color with streaks of silver, and he always seemed to have flour on his face and splotches on his clothes.
"I bring you my company and no threats of pain." I replied with my own smile creeping onto my face. " Though if this is not enough, I am willing to bargain."
"You could have stopped at your company, but you can help chop these carrots and some of these herbs" Smithy gestured with the knife he held in his hand. I noticed that they were the ones I had gotten him as a gift.
Without another word I moved over to a cutting board next to Smithy, grabbed a knife and started to chop with a good speed. As I was cutting I could feel someone staring at me. I moved my eyes in a way that looked like I was looking at the carrot I was reaching for and looked to see who was watching me. I saw Rune sitting at a barstool eating a roll and some cheese while staring at me.
I finished up cutting and Smithy immediately handed me some fresh bread without a word. I nodded my thanks and headed out of the kitchen. I felt Rune get up and follow me out.
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I moved at an even pace looking as though I did not care that Rune was following. I took a bite of my bread as I stepped out into the training barracks.
The barracks held all of the soldiers that either did not have their own manor or home, or were just out of the Academy. There were five dirt corrals that were used as training rings. One had dummies used for combat training, another had targets of knife throwing. The rest were used for hand to hand combat training. Around the far right of the corrals was the actual Barracks that housed the soldiers. Each wing of the Barracks could hold 500 men, there were 5 wings.
To the far left was a large field used for archery practice. Further out from there was a large pasture for the horses. Straight behind the corrals was the stables and weapons house. I moved on towards the knife throwing targets when I spotted Ash. Rune followed not far behind and I continued to ignore his presence as I approached Ash.
