Activity

Good job, guys! I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately. I became dreadfully ill and had no appetite for writing. 😛 I managed to write a little something now, though. Do with it what you will.

—

Caedon followed Runawin down the hall. Even if he couldn’t go outside, he was still curious to see what other rooms the castle had. He only hoped there wasn’t a dungeon. Mother had filled in the dungeon of old Solina and vowed never to open it again.

Runawin stopped, sniffing the air. Caedon paused behind her. “What is it?”

“Food. This way.”

Theseus and Vladlena raised their candles. Warm light spilled across the wall and illuminated a bright blue door. Lucas turned the knob and stepped inside first. Caedon held his breath. If a monster lurked beyond the blue door, could Lucas defend himself? He seemed to know how to use a weapon.

“It’s all right! It’s a dining room!” Lucas called from inside.

Caedon peered through the opening as Runawin slippped through. Sure enough, a banquet hall waited beyond, almost as fine as the one in New Solina. It had no stained-glass windows and tapestries, but the long table was laden with many delicacies.

Vladlena approached the table first, and Caedon started to follow. He paused when Theseus questioned whether or not the food was safe to eat. That was certainly a good point. Lucas then pointed out that the food he and Caedon had eaten earlier wasn’t poisoned.

Vladlena seemed to have no qualms at all. She snatched up a plate and piled it high with potatoes. “Well, I don’t care if it’s poisoned. It’s food, it looks good, and I’m starving.”

“But I thought you said you were just out picking berries before you came here. Weren’t you eating them?” Caedon detected a slight suspicion in Theseus’ voice.

Vladlena just rolled her eyes. “Am I the only one who gets hungry quickly?”

“Maybe not, but you don’t seem even remotely concerned.”

“Why should I be? If I die, no one will care.”

Caedon’s eyes widened. Vladlena didn’t speak in jest. She believed what she said, and she didn’t seem to want sympathy. Caedon understood that. He crossed his arms and tried to appear unconcerned.

Vladlena stuck her head out from behind the tall chair. “Well? Are any of you coming?”

Again, there was no trace of bitterness or hurt. She was a good actor. Caedon sat down in the chair beside her. Even if he couldn’t offer any sympathy, he could still figure out whether Theseus’ suspicions were warranted. As he filled his plate with fruit and bread for the first course, he considered what to say. First he would satisfy his curiosity by asking the meaning of her name. In his land, all names, even the smallest of them, had meaning. Then he would ask which country she came from.

As he poured honey on a piece of bread, he asked, “What does your name mean, Vladlena?”

—

@elisha-starquill @steward-of-the-pen @anne_the_noob14 @christlover