The glow of firelight washed lightly over the camp. It helped to illuminate the shadows that came with nighttime, and eased the fears of those afraid of the darker forest.
Most nights, when the group was not too exhausted from their work, they would sit around these great fires and talk while they ate their dinners. It was a good treat when Maud produced a bag of dried corn kernels not yet ground for bread.
Most nights, when the group was not too exhausted from their work, they would sit around these great fires and talk while they ate their dinners. It was a good treat when Maud produced a bag of dried corn kernels not yet ground for bread.
“Watch,” she whispered one night. Then she greased the largest pot they had and set it over the small cooling fire. With a deft flick of her wrist, she poured half the bag into the pot and set the lid over. Anne drew closer to the fire, curious at what her mother was doing. When the first kernels began to heat, a pop sounded from the pot, amplified by the sturdy tin. This strangeness sent Anne tumbling backwards with surprise as more and more pops were heard from the tin. The fire light glow on Anne’s cheeks hid her reddening blush as she retreated back to her seat.
When the popping died down, and no more could be heard as Maud shook the pot, she took off the lid. A stray kernel, late to pop, finally did so, and arched out of the pot into the coal beds of the fire. A chuckle was heard around the camp, quickly followed by thanks as Maud handed out small handfuls of the popped corn. When the pot was empty she hung it over the fire again, freshly greased and ready to make more treats.
With the bag empty and the kernels popped into the puffy little clouds, Maud sat back with blonde Anne and watched as others munched softly on the treat.
The Griffins had entered this small circle tonight, intrigued by the sounds of the corn. Together the two sat and shared their handfuls of corn.
Edward wrapped around his young bride, who snuggled deep into his embrace. The past few days had been tough for the former merchants, but together they had managed to weather the troubles.
The Griffins had entered this small circle tonight, intrigued by the sounds of the corn. Together the two sat and shared their handfuls of corn.
Edward wrapped around his young bride, who snuggled deep into his embrace. The past few days had been tough for the former merchants, but together they had managed to weather the troubles.
When a small flash of light caught her eye, Maud’s eyes followed it to Jeph, whose wedding ring had caught the firelight. He gestured as he was deep into his story, his watchful audience his two children. Jeph’s hands were empty of the corn, he had already eaten it all, but Alistair and Beatrix were steadily chewing at the remains of their own portion. Even Beatrix’s wonderment had overridden her lady-like qualities enough, and she had held her hands open eagerly to receive the corn. So she sat, skirts gathered around her as Lilliane had taught, hands greasy with the lard, eyes wide with wonderment as her father wove a tale.
As Medea joined Maud’s side, Maud cast her gaze over the camp once again. The past few days had been a struggle for them all, but tonight those struggles had melted away, leaving the group as it was. People together.
As Medea joined Maud’s side, Maud cast her gaze over the camp once again. The past few days had been a struggle for them all, but tonight those struggles had melted away, leaving the group as it was. People together.