fandomania | The Adventure continues... (Reply)

The walk was less than a few minutes away to the farmsted. No wonder Gudrun was able to see us sitting by the spring. There was a large, rather rundown barn to one side. The hay in it was a tad old, but we weren't going to eat it. It would make softer bedding than we had had in quite a while. The thought of soft bedding seemed luxurious for a moment. And the barn would be somewhat warmer than sleeping outdoors. I fed and then bedded down the hatchlings and the eggs. I had wanted Orlando to stay with them, while the rest of us went inside the house, but he refused. "I HAVE A FUNNY FEELING ABOUT ALL THIS. I DON'T TRUST THIS WOMAN."

I looked at him in alarm. "You don't? Alright, then we should leave."

"NO. I HAVE NOTHING TO SUPPORT THIS FEELING. WE SHOULD NOT BREAK THE HOSPITALITY CODE. WE SHOULD NOT LEAVE UNLESS SHE BREAKS IT BY TRYING TO HARM US. I AM ON ALERT AND I WILL BE WATCHING HER CAREFULLY. I DON'T THINK THAT SHE IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO OVERCOME ME. BUT I HAVE SURROUNDED US WITH SEVERAL WARDING SPELLS THAT SHOULD KEEP US SAFE ENOUGH."

I felt uneasy and passed on Orlando's concerns to Donal.

Our hatchlings:

¤

Our eggs:

Gudrun's house was tidy enough. She had a certain amount of clutter, but it wasn't overwhelming. I was going to have to keep a vigilant eye on Reuel, as he was endlessly curious and constantly wanting to touch everything. The girls were old enough to mind their manners, although it surprised me that they were more reticent than usual. The twins clung to me and Celianne was very quiet and looked uneasy.

Donal, on the other hand, was being very charming to Gudrun. Chattering and asking questions about this and that. He wandered over to the fireplace. He rubbed his hands together, warming them. In a light, breezy fashion, he asked Gudrun, "What are you making in the pot? It smells interesting."

"I am making a good, nourishing soup for you all. Would you like a taste?" She handed him a spoon. Donal took it and skimmed the soup with it. Lifting it up to his nose, he said, "I smell onion, garlic, carrots, turnips and wild celery. I also smell basil, ginger, parsley and turmeric. But underneath that, I smell death flower, maypop, pokeweed, rue, valerian and agonacea." He threw the spoon forcefully down. "You are trying to poison us."