A Million Roads to Nowhere

What to Do

Once they enter the dining hall, Patrick drags William to Clementine's table so they can sit together. Lena is already there, sat next to Isla, who is turned and talking to Clementine. Erikur, Alexei, Ewan, and Brynjar sit gathered on their end of the table, passing around mugs of beer and chatting amongst themselves. Their swords lay at their feet, as is customary for dining at a noble's table, something Patrick didn't learn until his stay at Maesity. The intricacies of people beyond villagers still eludes him, but he goes along without question.

He and William set their swords by their feet before they sit down. Patrick shuffles his feet awkwardly under the table, trying to figure out where to settle his gaze. Brynjar nods at them in greeting, something which Patrick is extremely pleased by. They're part of the group.

"You found your friends, I see," Isla says, turning her head away from Clementine to smile at Patrick. She sends the same smile William's way, causing him to blush and stare down at his hands.

"I did," Patrick answers. "Thank you again for taking me there."

"No worries."

Her green eyes look over both boys carefully once more before dismissing the conversation, reaching up to adjust the golden curls piled up on top of her head. Lena gropes around on Patrick's thigh until she finds his hand. The temperature of her skin is chilling as she squeezes his. She lets their hands fall between them, cold fingers pressing against his. She fiddles with the edge of her sleeve, blank eyes lingering on her lap.

"I ran into your sister," Patrick says, done with the silence.

Clementine raises an eyebrow. She looks disinterested, but is humoring him, much like his mother would when Lena was busy and he'd have no one else to talk to. "And how was that?"

"She seemed unhappy with me," Patrick admits. "I don't know what I did. She was pleasant toward me when I met her once before."

It'll have been a year since then, once winter is over. It feels like it's been much longer, but also as if I've just left at the same time. I feel old and tired. Patrick winces internally. I sound like my father.

A sudden coil of homesickness churns in his stomach, a feeling he's repressed for months. He fights against the urge to excuse himself, frantically forcing himself to focus on the words coming out of Clementine's mouth.

"She's annoyed because Rozenn demoted her for letting the pendant touch civilian hands- not to mention you swore to me."

"I don't know how that's my fault."

"She's a resentful little twat," Clementine answers. "Don't waste your time thinking about her."

"Do you?"

"Only when the mood hits me."

Rozenn's servants come in with platters of food and set them down in rows on the tables. None of the servers appear to be changelings, just regular humans. The piles of steaming food smell divine.

Rozenn herself enters the hall as soon as the food is set down. Behind her, two huge wolves trot along, noses stuck to the ground. Patrick wonders which one is the one he and Lena ran into. They both look the same.

Once Rozenn has taken a seat, everyone in the hall begins to grab food and pour drink. Patrick eats a pile of cooked carrots and a few slices of flavorless meat. Clementine sips on her wine and picks at a sweet roll, eyes scanning the crowd. Isla leans up against Clementine's shoulder, a forkful of mashed potato held in her hand. She murmurs something into Clementine's ear, a sly grin on her lips.