Norbert opened the door, and, looking in, something different caught his eye. Lifted from the floor was a trap door he missed before when looking at the room. Walking in, Norbert could see magic circles all around it from the underside, all bisected in the middle and looking at different shapes. Walking closer, he saw Nassan's head poke out the top. There he waved Norbert over, exclaiming his name to his parents. Looking down the trap door, Norbert saw steps leading down. Poking his head, Norbert saw two lamps on the ground, shining on the room below.
Looking at it, Norbert was surprised at the extent of the room. He could see a small amount of it blocked by the shelves. Peering his head further inside, Norbert looked from one end to the other, swivelling his head around. Quickly Norbert raised his head and looked around the cabin. Confirming it, Norbert stuck his head down again, not believing the underground room he had been sitting on top of was even larger than the cabin. He guessed it would be inside the perimeter of what he classified as the cabin's land. Looking down, he saw it went further down, at least twenty meters.
Moving his head out of the way, Norbert went down the ladder; looking around, Norbert found Helga and her husband already down there. Looking around, Norbert saw it was all food items. What he thought of as fruits, vegetables, and meats were all down here. All bundled on their shelves made of wood. Inspecting a shelf closely, Norbert saw that it had magic circles of minimal size littered throughout it.
Looking down the shelves to the floor, he saw bigger ones etched into the stone at his feet; looking down at the stone now, he looked across the floor, not believing his eyes. This was the first time he had seen the use of stone, and it looked splendid, looking marble smooth, the only indents being from the magic circles and lines connecting them. Stepping back and onto the ladder, Norbert, knowing what he was looking for, could see that everything here was covered in magic circles of varying size and complexity.
Looking at it further, Norbert noticed it was the same as before, all around trying to show it. Turning around, Norbert saw the other half of the circles on the trap door on the underside, realising they were completed when it was shut. Looking around, Helga returned, heading towards the steps he was on.
Backing up the steps, Norbert stood there, waiting for Helga to come upstairs. Stepping together, they went out the front door towards the pile of food, which was much smaller than before. Helga gave some items for Norbert to carry, and while taking some for her, the two headed down into the cellar. Once down there, Norbert followed Helga to a shelf that she pointed out a shelf. Placing the items on it, he could see other similar kinds with some meat wrapped up on its shelf.
Looking further, all of them had rows of items on the rows of shelves. Moving around, Norbert looked closer at the walls. Pressing his hand, it felt slightly cool to the touch. Looking at the floor, Norbert watched around the room. The entire thing was excellent, and no water or cracks were seen. Returning to the exit, Norbert went up the stairs once more and picked up the food left, bringing it all down into the cellar.
Once it was finished, Helga confirmed the correct placement of all the items, going past the rows of shelves before reaching the stairs and giving a satisfying nod that everything was in order; she exited from the top. Placing the hatch back down, Helga knelt and placed her hand on it, chanting once more, and light appeared from her hand, once more a flash before the trap door melded into the rest of the floor, appearing like it was no longer there. Slowly Helga got to her feet, standing up straight; Norbert went down and looked, feeling where the crack should have been but seeing nothing of the sort. At least appeasing his lack of knowledge, Norbert stood up, seeing Helga sitting on the chair.
Norbert looked around, seeing it was nighttime outside, the sun just about to set. Norbert looked and saw no food on the table or being made. Heading towards the kitchen area, Norbert rolled up his sleeves before getting started. Following the same steps as before seeing she had done, Norbert put a pot on the stove, calling for Nassan to come over and directing him to start the fire; shaking his head, Norbert quickly went outside, finding any loose twigs and branches and sticks to start the fire.
Placing it on the wood, Norbert once more directed and moved his hands, mimicking fire. Walking around, Nassans father came forward; moving the sticks around, he said a chant before fire formed and shot out, starting the leaves and slowly catching the rest. Happy that it had started, Norbert closed the door, confirming that the pot was boiling.
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Putting a pan on the side, Norbert found the meat, cutting it into cubes as it sizzled. Norbert placed the vegetables he remembered from the other day in the pot, letting it boil. Once the meat was cooked, Norbert put it into the pot, closing the lid and letting it all come together. Opening up cupboards, he looked for wine or something to add; pulling out random bottles, sniffing and tasting them, Norbert found one that tasted close enough to wine.
Turning around, he showed it to the family, giving it a thumbs up or down. Receiving a thumbs up from the mother, still looking a little white, Norbert went and tasted a bit, confirming it was similar enough to red wine and, hoping he wouldn't get thrown out, poured some into the pot. Finding some spices, Norbert also tried them until he found the salt and poured it in there, believing in the wonders that are salt. Letting it sit again, Norbert waited for it to finish cooking while sitting at the table. Looking outside towards the end, Norbert smiled, thinking days like this would be good.
After some time, Norbert got up and tasted it, confirming it was all cooked with the meat. He brought out five bowls, dishing them out and only putting a small amount in for Obsius. Retrieving the cutlery, he placed them on the table with the bowls before sitting down once more.
Calling out for Obsius, the bird came inside, sitting down at the table at the last bowl beside Norbert. Looking around at everyone, a smile on his face, Norbert went and listened to the prayer being said by the rest of the family, trying to memorise the sounds so he could say it next time.
With it concluded, the rest of the family looked around. Norbert tasted a bit, was happy with the flavour and gave a thumbs up. Looking sceptical, the father took a bite before getting a second and a third. Quickly he picked up the bowl and started scooping it into his mouth. Seeing that at least one person liked it, the rest were hesitant and had a bit before eating, though with little enthusiasm.
With it finished, Norbert cleaned up again, Nassan helping as well. With everything cleaned, the two returned to the table, Norbert happy at seeing some of the colour return to Helga's face.
With that, Norbert headed towards his room; the father called out his name, and turning around, he pointed again to the chair. Saying Nassan's name, the boy went off to the room Norbert usually slept in; the father looked at Helga, saying some words to confirm she was okay before assisting her to their room. Sitting and waiting until the father returned, he headed towards the door, picking up a lamp and beckoning for Norbert to follow.
Heading outside into the cool night air Norbert followed the father up the path and into town. Still forgetting his coins, Norbert was annoyed, but knowing there was some reason for heading this way, Norbert followed the father.
The night having some mysticism about it, knowing what was hidden behind the fog of darkness. Only the lights from the houses marked the path, the blowing grass on the side catching the light, sending infinite shadows outside. Knowing that he did not know the creatures that walked the night, Norbert followed closely to the father. Closer into town, they went until they stopped at a two-story house with a sign on the front; realising they were at some store, Norbert heard the sounds of cheering and laughter inside.
The father placed his hand on the lantern, stopping the light it produced. Looking back at Norbert, he pointed at him, saying Norbert, before pointing to himself, saying "Cossan" Norbert repeated the word and got a confirmation nod before Cossan opened the door.
Instantly Norbert was flooded by light, the sound from inside enveloping him. Hearing a cheer of "Cossan" throughout the bar, with a replying somehow even louder cheer from Cossan, he stepped in.
Norbert looked around and confirmed it to be a pub filled with men drinking from wooden mugs. Stepping in, Norbert tried to shrink down, but he heard multiple shouts of "Norbert" throughout the pub before he could.
Looking around and smiling, Norbert cheered back, not trying to say any words knowing that it would be useless. Stepping into the pub, the door closing behind him, a fist came forward, holding a tankard of something. Looking and seeing that Cossan was holding it and picking it up, Norbert had a taste. With a smile of a familiar taste of bear, Norbert looked around, everyone going silent until you could hear a pin drop in the room. Slowly Norbert raised it towards his mouth before smiling and tipping it down.
Glug, glug, glug
The only sound that could be heard in the room. Norbert raised it, finishing the entire cup in one go before placing it back down and sighing in contentment.
With a sigh, the silence broke; cheers engulfed the bar even louder. With cheers surrounding them and pats on the back, Norbert was given another, holding it out once more for the crowd. Norbert looked around, waving his hand in a down gesture, once more quieting down.
Gulping air in preparation, Norbert quickly pulled the pitcher up to his mouth and chugged it down as quickly as he could before slamming it down on the table closer to him. Once more, everyone just stared, the crowd getting louder. Looking around, Norbert saw that even the bartenders were cheering as well.
Norbert knew he would regret the decisions made tonight when he next woke up.