“Breakfast order ready!” The innkeeper called out to the table where Bryson and the other three were seated.

It had been the morning after the fateful meeting with the royal duo and the night passed by peacefully. Bryson spent some time going through the maps of the local area and had a rough idea of where they were headed now.

“Thank you.” Lottie said going over to pick up the tray, placing a few credits on the counter before moving back over to Bryson and putting the spread before him.

The platter of food had relatively simple dishes, but was bountiful and looked inviting. A plate of fried eggs joined by a plate of sausage, ham, and bacon. A small jar of wild berry jam accompanied some rich rye bread and freshly churned butter. There was a sharing bowl of porridge paired with a small bowl of nuts, with a large jug of milk next to it to wash everything down.

Lottie immediately began to stuff her mouth once she sat down. Bryson gave a beleaguered sigh as he poured her a mug of cold milk as he moved some of the food onto his empty plate.

“So I’m still debating on whether or not we go to the contaminated zone first.” Bryson said to the group.

“That’s the place with mutated animals correct?” Mallory asked.

“Yes, ah right. Ustrin has had most of its contaminated zones removed.” Bryson recalled his social studies classes.

“Actually just on the surface.” Mallory corrected.

“There are old caverns and dungeons that are filled with monsters. I often go adventuring down there.” Reynard added as he ate his sausage and eggs.

“So you guys don’t have any monsters on the surface at all?” Lottie asked as she helped herself to the milk.

“We have monsters, they’re just not the mutated animals that you’re accustomed to and they are rarer.” Mallory said stirring some of the jam into her porridge, “Oh.” She exclaimed in surprise once drying some, “This is rather good.”

“Likely due to being grown near contaminated zones, they tend to have stronger flavours.” Bryson noted.

“Not just that, I don’t think I’ve had some of these berries before.”

“Oh! Berry picking is so fun! Next year you need to try it.” Lottie said.

“Really?”

“What do we need to catch in the containment zone anyways?” Reynard asked getting back on topic.

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“A storming hawk, a large bird of prey the size of a car. No real magical abilities, very fast, strong, other than that not much to worry about.” Bryson said.

“Sounds pretty fun.” Reynard said looking interested, “Who gets the kill?”

“I don’t care.” Bryson grunted.

“Then could I?”

“Go ahead.” Bryson shrugged before his demeanour dropped a bit as he noticed Frans Snowfield make his way down the stairs.

Frans sat himself at an empty table as Clarissa walked over to the innkeeper and had a quick conversation with him before he brought out a tray with two bowls of stew, rolls of black bread and a block of cheese. Clarissa took the tray and sat down next to Frans.”

“That’s the kid of the Marquess right?” Reynard said following Bryson’s gaze, “Didn’t he come with two others? Where are they?”

“Sleeping in, they’re tired apparently.” Lottie answered.

“Huh? How do you know that?” Bryson said looking over at her.

“Clarrisa told me.” She said innocently.

“You talk to the girl? When?”

“Earlier in the morning when I was jogging. She was already up preparing for Frans.”

“Useful isn’t she?” Bryson muttered.

“They’re meant to be hunting as well?” Mallory asked Bryson.

“Well, not today considering that there’s just two of them.”

“Why don’t we ask them to join us?” Mallory suggested.

“What?” Bryson said whipping his head over to her.

“Why not? He’s the son of the marquess, it would only be appropriate to have him join us.”

“Bryson doesn’t like him.” Lottie answered for him.

“Why not?”

“Not sure. Maybe because they have to be friends for their parents.”

“Ah, I see. I understand the reluctance. Sometimes the other girls seem so shallow with their intentions when they try to converse with me during tea parties.” Mallory said pitying Bryson.

“It’s not like that.” Bryson grumbled, “Not exactly at least.”

“Then what is it like?”

Bryson made an unpleasant face. I can’t just say that he’s a bad person in front of the prince and princess now can I? It is my biased opinion and doing so could mess with Snowfield’s entire family not just him.

“Would it be really that bad for him to join us?” Reynard asked.

Bryson looked at the two siblings, giving a small sigh and he decided to let them win this one, “I doubt he would agree but you’re free to invite him.”

“Great.” Reynard said as he left his seat and approached Reynard.

Frans and Reynard had a quiet conversation too far from Bryson to pick any of it up. Frans looked to be only half listening until Reynard said something. Frans then turned towards Reynard, interest peaked, glanced over to Bryson and made a face of disdain before talking with Reynard some more.

After a few more moments of talking Frans turned towards Clarrisa and the two exchanged a few brief words before Frans gave a slow nod towards Reynard. Reynard gave a bright smile and said something else before he made his way back over to them.

“He said he’ll be joining us.” Reynard said happily.

“He knows the plan then?” Bryson asked.

“Yep.”

“Great, I guess we’ll be working with him then.” Bryson said glumly.

“You shouldn’t look so sour, I’m sure you’ll get to like him once you two start working together.” Mallory said.

“I doubt it.” Bryson said before asking, “Are you sure that you want to go to the contaminated zone? Your brother wants to hunt but do you care at all?”

“I’m not particularly interested in hunting but I do want to see the contaminated zone. I heard that it is a beautiful place.”

“A dangerous place.”

“I’m willing to take the risk.” Mallory assured him with a smile.

“Alright then.” Bryson said with a shrug, “We’ll go bird hunting after we finish breakfast.”