Outside is a bright day in a large forest clearing dominated by impressive ruins, the sun appearing to indicate a time around noon. Bipedal rats—Staufolk—walk between stone hovels, holes in walls and roofs patched with cloth and leather. Wagons of various size, some big enough to be drawn by heard but unseen horses, are set down all around, mostly empty of their cargo. I can see tents here and there, probably for those Staufolk who couldn’t fit in the hovels.

We begin walking towards the direction of a plume of smoke. The Staufolk we pass all bow when they notice me, some of them quietly uttering the word ‘Traveler’. I feel a tinge of stress return, not used to this kind of treatment. After several minutes we arrive at what seems to be a kitchen and mess hall. A circle counter separates the kitchen from a large space filled with stone tables and benches.

The centerpiece of the kitchen is a massive oven, accessible all around. Around it are a handful of Staufolk milling about preparing food, all overseen by a single spirited elder moving about and giving out commands. They all have aprons, but the elder’s is the most worn by a margin.

As we approach kitchen, the elder turns to us and seems to light up in every part of their body. They wipe their hands on their apron, give out a few more commands, and approach us. “That the Traveler, Bozh?” They gesture with their head in my direction.

“That they are, Kiril. His name is Sebastian.” Bozhidar turns to me. “Sebastian, this Kiril. He’s head cook in the camp and one of my closest friends.”

Kiril’s eyes practically twinkle at the introduction and I withdraw a bit as he comes even closer, extending his hand and speaking in clear delight. “A pleasure to meet you, Sebastian.” When he doesn’t lower his hand, I sigh slightly and extend my own. He grabs it and gives it a good shake.

I barely eke out “Nice to meet you too, Kiril,” as my hand is shaken and my body follows.

He gives me a once over with his eyes and then turns to Bozhidar. “He looks hungry. You here for lunch?”

Bozhidar nods. “Quite, yes. How much longer, do you think?”

“Not very long at all.” Kiril shakes his head. “Sit anywhere and we’ll get you both a tray when lunch is ready.”

I think Bozhidar smiles and nods before gesturing to a nearby table. “Shall we sit, then, Sebastian?”

I give a shaky nod and move towards the table, “Uh, yes, I suppose,” and then sit down.

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It truly doesn’t take long for a bell to ring from the direction of the oven and one of the kitchen staff arrives with a tray loaded with 2 bowls and a sliced loaf of bread. They place the tray down and unload it before returning to the kitchen. The food in the bowl is a rich stew, while the bread is a strong brown color. I welcome the focus of a meal and dig in as Staufolk start arriving around me.

Bozhidar and I pass the meal in silence, my interest consumed by the food. After some minutes I finish and look up again, noticing that Kiril and one other had joined us and eaten in equal silence, though all three seem to have finished before I do.

I jump slightly at having relative unknowns at the table and look from them to Bozhidar and back. Bozhidar chuckles and introduces the fourth person at the table. “This is Cynna, another of my closest friends. She is captain of my guard and a skilled soldier.”

Cynna gives a small bow and nods at me. “Can’t wait to train you, Traveler.” She turns to Bozhidar and starts getting up. “I must get back to training. Let me know which day I will be training him.” Bozhidar nods back, prompting her to leave.

Similarly, Kiril also gets up and collects all the bowls. “I need to go as well, Bozh.” He turns to me. “Come by later. I want to talk with you about something. Don’t let Bozh keep you too occupied.” I hear Bozhidar chuckle next to me as I give a small, shaky nod at the request. I’m starting to lose my cool again.

Once both have left, and around me I notice many tables are clearing out, Bozhidar clears their throat to catch my attention. “I want to give you a short tour of the camp and then I’ll take you to your lodgings. How does that sound?”

I reply without thinking. “Yeah, that sounds fine. Thank you.”

We get up from the table and Bozhidar takes me around the camp. We start with more of an explanation about the kitchen, followed by showing me where Cynna trains. We pass by a sort of public bath building, from which steam is coming out and close to it what must be latrines. Finally we reach a stout hovel, close to where I woke up, after seeing some Staufolk engaged in mundane tasks like sewing or woodworking. Throughout it all I followed along quietly, trying to let myself immerse.

My hovel is in better condition than the others, probably to in honor of my status, and holds a simple bed along with a table and chair. The interior feels particularly quiet, which helps me calm down from walking around.

“I’ll let you rest now.” Bozhidar stands by the open doorway. “I also think this would also be a good time to contact Rep and hear what they have to say.”

I smile and nod at Bozhidar, happy for the time to rest. “Thank you. Rest sounds nice right now. How would I contact Rep?”

Bozhidar looks lost in thought for a moment before replying. “The last Traveler said she simply called out their name. Try that.”

I nodded again. “I will. Thank you.”

He bows with a smile again and leaves me alone in the hovel.