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Haharim: kindness yet lives
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They casually walked into the town, when they were approached by a group of armed men. Cecealye's companions instantly surrounded her, taking up a defensive position.
"Hey, you there, what business do you have here? If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the wrong place."
Ean stepped forward. "We seek no trouble. We merely mean to stay at the inn for the night and restock our supplies. We'll be on our way come morning."
The captain of the men stood there for a moment, a hardened look on his face, as though he were at his wits' end.
"So be it. But one night is all you get. Then I want you gone at dawn."
Ean nodded his head in agreement and the men went on their way, keeping a watchful eye on the group.
Blaizen stroked his chin. "I tell ya, the people you got on this planet are about as charming as a poisonous snake."
"Oh, young sir, don't take it to heart."
They turned to see a woman somewhere in her late fifties to early sixties standing behind them, her arms wrapped around a woven basket full of bread.
"It's been tough times around here, lad. Ever since that Ice Witch showed up, everybody's been on edge."
Cecealye came around from behind Blaizen. "Ice Witch?"
"Oh, yes. She's a devil, she is, terrorizin' all the mountains. But here, what am I doing? Most folks around here wouldn't like it if I was just talkin' out in the street about this. You see, so many believe that it's frightful bad luck. If you'd like, you all can come back to my place and I'll tell you all you want to hear. But first, you got to help me finish my errands. You young lasses and lads wouldn't mind doing that for an older woman like myself, would you?"
They all looked at one another. They could manage that to get some information, and who knows, there might even be a meal in it for them. So, they agreed to give a helping hand. It took about another half hour or so and they found themselves in a cosy home sitting around a sturdy wooden table, each with a cup of tea in their hands. The woman entered from the kitchen, wiping her hands off on a fresh apron.
Cecealye looked at her well. She looked worn. One could tell that she had worked very hard all her life and she probably would continue to do so until the end of her days. In spite of that, she looked content and happy. There was something about the woman the young queen couldn't help but admire. She took a seat at the table.
"So, you want to hear about the Ice Witch do you? Well, a couple of months back she first showed herself in the southern region of the mountains. Since then, she's made a visit to every town and village; some more than once. She kills a few here and a few there. And some, the poor souls, she takes with her alive. Only Theos knows what she does to them; they're never seen again. No one knows where she came from and we've done everything we can to stop her. She just passed through here a couple times this week and claimed some poor lives. That's why the guard is so wound up. Generally, they aren't so rude. The Captain is a good man."
The woman paused and shook her head. "Poor lad blames himself for them people's deaths. So, you see, you may not find too many people in these parts that are in cheery moods. But even in all of this, we mustn't forget that we have not been abandoned. Theos is with us still." She sat there for a moment in silence. "Well, that food smells like it's about ready for some eating. I best go check on it." She rose to her feet and hastily went to the kitchen.
Supreany leaned in toward the others and spoke in a hushed voice, "It really sounds like they've been having a rough time."
Ean rubbed his cheek. "Rough enough that they might be too preoccupied with their own problems to worry about making problems for anyone else."
Cecealye's eyes dropped and rose again to meet everyone else's. "I believe you may be right. However, I don't want to draw any conclusions just yet."
They all silently agreed.
It wasn't a moment later when they heard the woman calling from the kitchen. "You lasses wouldn't mind giving me a hand, would you?"
The two girls rose and entered the kitchen.
"Ah, if you all could go check the stew and see if them taters in it are done or not, that would be great."
They walked over to the large pot and pulled it from the fire. Cecealye grabbed the long wooden spoon and began to stir it.
Supreany put her hands on her hips. "So, um ... you wouldn't happen to know how to tell whether or not this is done, would you?"
Cecealye looked up at her and smiled. "This may or may not come as a shock to you, but I'm a terrible cook. That's why Ean generally cooks."
"You're right; that's not much of a shock. Hmm ... let's see here." She reached over, grabbed the spoon, and scooped some goods up in it. Each of them took their turn getting a bit.
"What do you think? Does it taste all right?" Cecealye asked.
Supreany shrugged. "Tastes fine to me."
"So how's it comin'?" the woman asked them loudly.
Cecealye turned. "We believe it is finished."
"As I suspected. Just leave it off the fire and come on over here. Grab some bowls out of that cupboard."
They scooped food into each bowl and served them. Cecealye did feel a bit out of place being a server but she didn't mind. It brought back to her something her father had told her many years ago. 'In order for one to be a great leader, they must be a great servant. You see, Cecealye, we are here to serve the people. When we fail to do so, we are no longer fulfilling our duty.' True, this was a little bit different than what she supposed he had been talking about, but she appreciated the reminder of his words.