Left with no choice, Edeline conceded that she was equal parts hungry and bored.

She'd never really spent much time in the kitchens at home, having been told by her mother to leave the servants there to their work. A few rare exceptions aside, she had simply gone along with those instructions. She'd never considered learning about that worth her time, she supposed. At this moment, she was wishing she had, because right now she was famished.

Instead, she had thoroughly explored the small house Hamond called home, and after that was left with nothing else to do. Attempting to briefly nap had failed, as she could not bring herself to sleep. The only productive thing she had accomplished so far was locating her boots, which Hamond had set in a corner of the room.

She idly wondered what Hamond did to amuse himself. He probably went out to watch street theatre or listen to a minstrel perform, most likely. As for herself, Edeline had never enjoyed any of her father's minstrels, preferring to quietly read books of poetry. Perhaps it was a matter of personal taste. Still, she had simply not retained them, or hired any new ones, following his descent into grief.

As much as she had grown to dislike her duties in Hallowscroft, she had to admit that she needed to act, to push herself towards achieving a goal. Even if she still ought to rest and let her body finish mending itself, she wanted to go. Whether it was finding who did this, practicing her thaumaturgy, or even just filling out papers in her father's name...those were all something.

Waiting here, even if it was for a single day, was nothing.

Another pace of the room, and Edeline suddenly sat herself down on a chair, the aged wood protesting with a creaking sound. By Aether, she'd been acting just like her father in the old days. Any bad news had him on edge, walking across the house so rapidly she, in her youthful imagination, thought he would break the upper floor and fall through. Mother had always stayed out of his way when he was in such a mood.

The front door opened, startling Edeline with a jolt. Hamond entered, leaving Edeline hoping he had not noticed her surprise.

“Greetings again,” he said with a glint in his eye, “Did you know you have been abducted?”

“I was...what...oh.” Edeline stuttered in confusion, before catching on. Of course, rumors would become distorted, she thought as a grin spread across her face. “No one told me.”

“News travels slow, I guess,” Hamond quipped.

“I'll need to work on that,” Edeline said, then let the smile fade. Joking aside, this had more serious implications. “Anyway, what did they say about the men I fought? And Lendra?”

“Lendra?”

“Oh, my maid,” she said quickly. She'd forgotten that she'd never mentioned Lendra's name to Hamond.

“About her, there's nothing I heard,” Hamond said, “As for the men who attacked you, the word is that they actually died defending you. They were in watch uniform, after all.”

Frustrating, but logical. The watch captains likely had nothing to go on, with no witnesses. Hopefully, she could change that soon, once she spoke to them. If not tomorrow, then the day after would work.

“How are you feeling?” Hamond's question interrupted her thoughts.

“Bored,” she blurted out, her face reddening a moment later.

“Not quite what I meant, but fair enough,” Hamond acknowledged.

“Sorry,” Edeline said, face still flushed, “My wound does not hurt, and I'm not tired. Just hungry...a little.”

“I'll make some pottage.” Hamond walked over to the hearth, then bent over for a moment.“Oh right, that was my last one,” he muttered, straightening up. “Whatever,” he said after a moment, extending one arm towards the cooking pot sitting there, “Hydropidax.”

A stream of water, seemingly materializing out of nothing, flew out away from his hand and into the pot. Edeline was instantly fascinated. That was a brand new spell to her, and it took all her willpower to not stare in fascination. Using such a spell seemed so much easier and simpler than having to draw water from a well.

After the spell ended, Edeline watched as Hamond set about cooking. It seemed a strange process, with him seemingly putting arbitrary amounts of ingredients into the pot, checking to make sure the fire was burning hot, and occasional stirring of the mixture. He was clearly practiced at it, very much unlike her.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Once Hamond had finished, he took a seat across from her. “Sorry for making you wait,” he said, “I know you're probably starving.”

“I will survive,” Edeline replied, despite her body very much disagreeing with that statement.

“I would hope so,” Hamond said with a smile, “Wouldn't want my healing magic to have gone to waste.”

“I will make sure it did not.” The debt of gratitude she owed Hamond was immense, and Edeline knew coin alone would not be enough to repay it. Perhaps she could recommend his services to the town watch, to help handle their injuries.

“Well, there is a matter you could help me with.”

“What would that be?” Back to being the Lady Hallowscroft, she supposed.

“Tell me, how do you feel about the Elefae?” Shifting slightly in his seat, Hamond looked her intently in the face.

Edeline chose her words carefully, not sure where this was headed. “They are a fine people, despite some unusual customs, and perfectly welcome to live and work in Hallowscroft. Why do you ask?”

“You probably guessed this already, but my earlier meeting was with one of the Elefae, regarding assisting them with something tomorrow.”

“And you want my help with it as well?” Edeline did not see how this would be a problem.

“No.” Hamond's answer was surprisingly blunt. “The elder I spoke with mentioned an entirely separate problem. A number of young women have recently also vanished...Elefae women. Have you heard anything about this?”

“I have not,” she said, pursing her lips and thinking it over. “They did report it to the watch, yes?”

“From what I was told, the watch refused to take action.” Edeline drew back, horrified. People missing and the watch...what in Aether's name was going on?

“I see I will have work to do,” she finally managed to say, voice cold. Fortunately, this was very much a problem she could solve, and solve it she would. “I will reprimand the watch captains for this. I needed to speak to them anyway, to inform them I am well, so...”

“All apologies, but I am not sure they currently trust the watch,” Hamond added, “I think you'd be better off meeting the Elefae elders directly.”

“Very well,” Edeline stated. She had met with a few of them on occasion to discuss various matters, although it had been the better part of a year since their last meeting. A perfect time for another, if ever there was one. “Will the elders be there tomorrow, with whatever you are working on?”

“Some should, but not necessarily all,” Hamond said, somehow looking visibly...relieved? She wondered if the healer was unsure about her agreement. Well, they were her father's subjects, and she was not about to hold back any effort to aid them when they needed it.

“Then I will meet them tomorrow with you, on the condition that I try to contact one of the watch captains first.” As much as the Elefae needed help, letting everyone know she was safe took priority.

“I can't object.” Hamond then rose to check on his cooking. Edeline fidgeted as another pang of hunger hit her. She really should have requested him to make food before he had left earlier.

“Can I ask when you came to Hallowscroft?” she asked once he returned to his seat.

Hamond's brow furrowed, and he remained silent for a moment. “Just under a year ago.”

“I see.” That was probably too late anyway then. Edeline closed her eyes, privately wishing for things that she knew could never have happened.

“Is something wrong?” Hamond asked.

“It's fine,” Edeline said, before realizing it was perfectly clear that she was not fine. “My mother passed away of illness not too long ago, right after you arrived.”

“Oh...I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I could have done anything.” Hamond's expression darkened. “We may have magic, but we can't always work miracles.”

“I know. The other healers we consulted said they could do nothing but make her comfortable.” Edeline sniffled. She wasn't sure why she was discussing this with the likes of Hamond, but somehow she felt...compelled, in a way, to talk about it.

“At least you loved her,” Hamond said, “I never really knew my mother. And my father, well...he died in the siege of Phalford.”

“Then I'm sorry as well.” She knew full well how brutal that battle was, the same battle that only ended when the first Spellking was felled. Countless men and women had been trapped in the city between the two armies, many of which never made it out.

“As you said, it's fine,” Hamond bitterly joked, echoing her earlier words. “Honestly, I don't know why I brought it up to begin with.”

“That makes two of us.” Edeline smiled faintly. “I suppose we have something in common then.”

“Perhaps.” Hamond rose again to check the pot, looking uncomfortable. Edeline supposed the subject was painful for him to dwell on, a feeling she understood all too well at this point.

An uneasy silence filled the small house, as Edeline sat there watching the healer from behind, his focus now directed towards the cooking pot and hearth. She didn't know what to say to him, or in all honestly, what she wanted him to say back to her.

“I think it's ready now,” Hamond finally announced. Grabbing a bowl and spoon off the shelf, he ladled some of the food into the bowl, then turned and set it in front of Edeline. He then turned back again to prepare his own.

Edeline did not hesitate and started eating. This pottage did not have a lot of flavor compared to the food she was used to. But it was warm and filling, and she craved food right now too much to care. Bite after bite, she appreciated the taste more and more. Yes, she definitely would want this in the future.

“I didn't know you were that hungry,” Hamond commented.

Edeline looked down, and realized she'd already eaten nearly the entire bowl's worth in mere moments. Ashamed at her sudden lack of manners, she groaned and covered her face with her hands, wanting to just disappear.

Hamond chuckled. “Want a second helping?”

For a moment, Edeline's hunger and embarrassment clashed, but in the end, hunger won out. She nodded, and after taking another bite, silently handed the bowl over to Hamond.