The kitchen was a heap of cheer. All the cooks, servants, and serving wenches gave their goodbyes and prayers to the young prince who gave thanks in return to each. The servants were rather fond of the princes, just as Rowan and Laurel were always fond of them. They both had an inclination towards the kitchens growing up.
“You make sure you eat properly out there son.” A heavyset man with a spotty stubble clapped the back of Rowan’s shoulder. A spot of grease left on the sleeve of black silk. He threw a thick cut of bacon into his pan. Its sizzle a thousand bees, the fat colored his faded apron with little gray dots. He wore the look a father gave to his son; it was the same one he had worn since they met. This time it was different; his eyes were glistening, mouth ends had a constant droop forced up into a smile, none except the brothers had noticed the cook's sullen face.
“Don’t worry Daren.” Rowan put his hand on the cook’s shoulder. “I’m hard to kill. Ask any of the men I faced… well the ones that are alive. I wouldn’t dare die without eating your Ox pie one last time. Are you sure I can’t take Daren with me on my journey Laurel?” Rowan turned his head to his brother. “I’m sure a meal cooked with such flavors as Daren’s will cut our journey in half.” The cook gave a smile at that suggestion. He hadn’t ever gone on an adventure before. He barely went outside the city even then he usually kept his business on Farm Street, a more orderly, and healthy alternative to the lower city Street of Feed.
“Take our best cook? Are you trying to start a war Rowan? You’ll manage without him.” Laurel felt around in his pocket feeling for the smooth metal of his pocket watch. With a flick it opened a soft ticking sound was barely heard throughout the kitchen, he snapped it closed and made his way out of the kitchen, stopping beside his brother he put a hand on his shoulder. “Come now, you’ve spent enough time saying goodbye.” His brother gave a nod, looked to Daren.
“Keep a slice of that Ox pie warm and ready for my return.”
“O’course, I’ll make it extra special. Add some of my secret stuff.”
“Take care Daren.” Rowan smiled and joined his brother. Daren stood looking at the kitchen door for a long bit, his head filled with prayers. He could scarcely smell the bacon in the pan burning.
A hollow knock rang as Laurel rasped his knuckles on his fathers doors. He studied the door. A beautifully crafted thing the carving of their house sigil bore its eyes at him he always felt a twinge of discomfort at its staring. A voice called through the door the same stern one he’d grown to know only one man to have. He opened the door, his father sat behind his desk dutifully writing away on parchment. He wore a face Laurel saw often, his brow furrowed, jaw tight, the vein on his forehead bulged.
He glanced up from his work upon seeing his sons the expression he wore changed into the one reserved for those closest to him. To outsiders it’d certainly wouldn’t seem as though it changed at all but the hard look softened, the ends of his mouth turned upwards slightly, and he didn’t clench his jaw so tight. The scrunch on his face as well as the popping vein still stood front and center; they seemed hardwired into their fathers face.
“Laurel, I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever be able to wake your brother.” He put his pen down and looked past Laurel. “Rowan, how did you sleep?” Rowan stepped past his brother and walked to the front of his fathers desk.
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“Apart from the nightmares I slept fine, father. Indeed I am quite rested. I’m ready for the long journey ahead of me. I won't disappoint you.” Laurel studied his brother. He stood at attention with his arms behind his back and stood straight; he talked formally. He’d been like this whenever father was in sight for years now. Even after such a long time it was still quite a sight to see his usually laid back brother be straight as an arrow, unbending and precise.
“I know you won’t. It’s time for you to prove yourself.” Laurel could see his brother’s chest puff out slightly with the slightest hint of a smile. “I’m sure you’ve read the letter I had the servants give you, The one detailing the members of your party and the route you’ll be taking?” Father tapped his index finger on the table waiting for his son’s confirmation. The tapping went for more than a few moments before he let out a small sigh. He opened one of the drawers in his desk and laid a thin stack of papers in front of his son, spreading them out in order of importance. He tapped the largest of them signaling for him to pick it up. “Now Rowan listen closely. This here is the route you’ll be taking, study it well.” He unfolded the paper and a rather detailed map spread across it. “As you can see you’ll go south along the river as you leave the city you’ll go along it until it breaks into the lake at which point you and your party will go east through the plains until you reach the Dela Mountains it’ll be hard, this time of year is when it’s monstrous inhabits breed. Once you’ve forged on out of the mountains north is where you will all have to go to avoid any confrontations with the Ralk I know it’s quite the detour nothing we can do, I’d have thought the tensions between our kingdom would have lessened by now though it seems they still hold a grudge against us from the war. Now then after you’ve put a good amount of land between any Ralk cities you will continue east it’s practically a straight shot to the shadowland from there. I haven’t much information on anything beyond that point so you’ll just have to use the map and your senses to guide you the rest of the way. Now…” He tapped the second paper Rowan quickly folded the map back to its original shape and grabbed the paper. “That one there will tell you all you need to know about who will be accompanying you.” Rowan studied the people who he’d soon be meeting, a look of surprise flashed across his face as he saw people he recognized. “You’re quite familiar with a few of the people that are to follow you. Before you say anything I handpicked all of them.” He put his hand on his chin and rubbed the stubble. “Gallo and Litner, both exceptional soldiers, made quite a name for themselves during the war under your leadership with that bond you three have shared since you were little. I can expect them to take good care of you. Ulyis your cousin may not be quite as helpful in a fight but her intellect will be of great use no doubt treat her right Rowan I told your uncle she’d come back in better shape than when she left. Hal your instructor will be coming along with you to make sure you actually make it there without an early death. Lastly, to keep you all from the brink I’ll be having Chara come along as your medic, I hear she’s gotten better than any healer in our kingdom Tanis said she was no doubt the most exceptional student he’s ever had.”
“Father…” Rowan finally broke his silence. “I can see why you picked Gallo and Litner; they're both great soldiers but… why must Chara come along?” Rowan's face was a twist. “ Father, can I not bring someone else along? Perhaps Yvan or Jan? They’re quite adept at mixing together medicines and patching wounds. They’d do just as we-” Father’s eyes were sharp daggers, his nose flared.
“Rowan…” His voice was a rock, an immovable obstacle laced with authority. “This is not up for discussion. If you wanted to complain about the roster of your party the time to do so has long since passed. Honestly, if you’d just read the damn papers beforehand you could’ve changed anything you wanted. I am sick of indulging your behavior. Now shut up and listen.” Fathers snaps weren’t a common thing but they certainly weren’t uncommon especially for Rowan. Laurel looked at his brother. His face was stiff he could tell he was holding in whatever it was he wanted to do or say. “You and your party depart in an hour. I expect you to have everything you need packed onto your mule and yourself in tip shape for the departure ceremony.” He let out a sigh and waved to the door. “I’ve preparations to make, leave me.” Laurel went to the door his brother followed his heel. The door make a nice thunk as it closed behind them.