By evening, the peddler settles his cart beneath a fallen fir. Rain softens to a whisper, while the three dead watchers remain behind on the road, and Patter curls near the small fire.
The peddler hangs a blackened pot over the flames and adds oats, salted beans, and a little dried onion from their shared provisions. Steam soon mingles with the fir-scented air.
Edrin Vale
A modest supper, but honest food. After today, I would trust a plain bean more readily than anything served in a lord's hall.
Edrin Vale
Those watchers recognized me because I have used this road for years. I carried messages for a rebel reeve once, and one of their masters still believes I know where his missing silver went.
He stirs the pot, then glances toward the dark road where the bodies and silent cart lie far behind. Patter lifts his head, listens, and settles again.
Edrin Vale
I never saw their master today, only his hired eyes. That is trouble enough. What brought you onto this road, Octavius, with herbs to sell and a fox at your heels?
“The peddler added his owns supplies before i could stop him. I wag a finger at him with a playful smile and a hand on my hip like an old schoolmarm. "Good sir, wasn't part of our deal that -I- would handle our evening meals?" I try to tease him; though my naturally dour expression may make the playfulness come across only in tone. "Do you like rabbit or quail better?"”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +2)
Octavius raises one finger at the peddler, resting his other hand on his hip like a stern schoolmarm. His dour face makes the playful gesture depend entirely on his tone.
Octavius
Good sir, was it not part of our bargain that I would handle our evening meals?
Octavius
Do you prefer rabbit or quail?
The peddler pauses over the pot, ladle suspended above the steaming beans. Patter lifts his head, and the fire pops softly between them.
Edrin Vale
A fair rebuke, friend. Yes, you did claim the evening meals, and I have gone meddling into your kitchen.
Edrin Vale
Rabbit, if choice is mine. Quail has finer flavor, perhaps, but a rabbit fills a traveler better after a wet day.
Edrin Vale
I shall leave tomorrow's supper in your capable hands, then. Tonight's beans are already committed, and they would take offense at being dismissed.
“I throw my arms up in an over-exaggerated gesture of exasperation, hoping that the dramatic flair will make my jesting tone obvious still, in spite of the mean look I cannot shake from my face no matter how hard i smile or try. "Well then I cannot offend them, I will simply have to make do with what is in place. Do you mind wild onion or watercress, -.." I have to pause. I haven't asked his name. "Sir forgive me, My name is Octavius. May I ask how you'd like to be addressed, while we travel? I would feel beyond mention to say 'hey you' or something even worse by mistake."”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled -1)
Octavius throws both arms skyward in theatrical exasperation, his hard-set face ruining the smile but not the jest. His elbow catches the pot’s handle, spilling a ladleful of beans into the fire.
Octavius
Well then, I cannot offend them. I will simply have to make do with what is in place. Do you mind wild onion or watercress? Sir, forgive me. My name is Octavius. May I ask how you would like to be addressed while we travel? I would feel beyond mention to say, 'hey you,' or something worse by mistake.
The fire hisses around the spilled beans. Patter noses toward the scent, while the peddler rescues the pot and inspects the reduced supper with exaggerated solemnity.
Edrin Vale
Wild onion, certainly. Watercress too, if you find it clean. I shall not quarrel with honest greens after surrendering so many beans to the flames.
Edrin Vale
As for me, I am Edrin Vale. Edrin will do, and I promise not to make you guess twice.
Edrin portions the remaining beans into two bowls, leaving the smaller share near the fire for the fox only after checking that it contains no onion.
Edrin Vale
There, Octavius and Edrin. A proper beginning, despite the sacrifice of supper.
“I have to laugh at myself. I have no ego to harm here, and all to lose by being too proud of myself. "Well then Edrin, well met. Since I've already wasted some of the beans you so generously provided, let me make up the difference with some of the root vegetables and flavourings I've brought to sell. My own clumsiness caused the fault, after all."”
FAILURE (Great Persuasion, rolled -3)
Octavius
Well then, Edrin, well met. Since I have wasted some of your beans, let me make up the difference with the root vegetables and flavourings I brought to sell. My clumsiness caused the fault, after all.
Octavius laughs at himself and reaches into the broad bag across his back. His fingers find herbs, tools, and the wrapped stone, but no roots, seasoning pouch, or spare vegetables.
Octavius
The ingredients are not here.
He checks the bag's remaining folds once, then stops. The fire has already consumed the spilled beans, leaving only a thin smoky scent and a few blackened husks.
Edrin Vale
Ah. Your provisions appear to have wandered farther than your fox. Do not trouble yourself, Octavius. A ladleful of beans is a small price for an evening's company.
Edrin divides the remaining supper evenly instead of protecting his own bowl. He scrapes the scorched edge aside and nudges the better portion toward Octavius.
Edrin Vale
Tomorrow, you may repay me by finding those honest greens you mentioned. Tonight, we eat what survived, and call the sacrifice seasoning.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find wild onion and watercress
“My ego is.. more fragile than I like to admit. I can make a good show when on the spot, but the semblance of insulting my host with nothing to offer stings more than I like. I have already decided I will have both by dawn, even if my sleep suffers from finding it. Both should be near the stream just downhill anyway.”
SUCCESS (Superb Survival, rolled +2)
After supper, Octavius gathers his cloak and slips downhill toward the stream, leaving the firelight and Edrin Vale's quiet camp behind. The forest receives him without protest.
Octavius
The stream should hold watercress, and the damp banks should favor wild onion.
Moonlight glimmers between the firs. Octavius follows the slope by scent and sound, testing the dark with careful steps while the stream's murmur grows clearer below.
Near the water, he finds broad green watercress clustered among stones. Farther along, narrow onion leaves rise from the wet bank, their sharp scent unmistakable.
He harvests enough of both for the morning meal, binding the greens in separate cloths so mud and crushed onion do not mingle. Dawn pales the eastern sky.
Octavius returns to camp with the stream's chill still clinging to his boots. Edrin Vale sits awake beside the low fire, and his eyebrows rise at the gathered produce.
Edrin Vale
Well met, forager. I see the beans have been answered properly. Set those by the pot, and I shall remember never to doubt your promised supper.
Quest Complete
Find wild onion and watercress
+ New Item Acquired
wild onion
+ New Item Acquired
watercress