FVN Chapter 14: Improvising Dinner
Chapter 14: Improvising Dinner
Chapter 14: Improvising Dinner
Rav helped Isadora acquire some hardwood as much as he could find. He observed as she ditched them in the fire and claimed they had to be burnt till charcoal.
Rav accepting her wishes added more density to the flame, a spark igniting at the palm of his hand, before slowly weaving to the fire.
Isadora was astonished by his skills, weaving wasn't as easy no matter who willed the ability, it required deep concentration and a strong affinity with the elements any Fae was born with.
She never had the chance to learn more about her ability, everything so far was raw knowledge.
She wished one day she might have the opportunity to explore more of it. But burdened by how much her skills were used for selfish gain, she never had a chance to accept what the gods' gave her.
Once the bed of hot coals was spread out in the fire pit. Isadora used stones around the fire to complete the process. With Rav's help, the meat was placed on the hot coals.
"I'd no idea such a thing could be improvised," Rav said admiring her handiwork, to think of such a feat was truly incredible. "For someone locked up in her room for many winters, you know stuff" he added with a chuckle but regretted it when Isadora's smile wavered.
"I—"
She shook her head to stop him, it wasn't his fault he thought like that. It was only right they think of her that way, for in their eyes she was just a girl who knew nothing and spent most of her life locked up in a room as a tool for business.
Being a tool to someone's greed was her life but before all that...
"I'd a life before" Isadora began as the memories threatened to come forth. Being saddled with house chores at such a young age there was so much she had to do, having two brothers added to the chores, she was a slave in her own house.
Rav didn't say anything else, noting how she stared at a distance, plagued by unpleasant memories, her eyes turned glassy at some point, the tears eager to run down her face.
Guilt consumed Rav, prompting him to reach for the rope and cut it off, freeing her hands.
The sudden sound of looming footsteps alerted their attention, It was Kraven walking to the fire. The peaceful air became intimidating.
Sitting in front of the fire opposite them... Kraven paused, seeing the leaf with meat.
He took a leaf and observed the food like a rare find. "I didn't know you could improvise, Rav,"
Rav was about to speak but Isadora secretly tugged on his sleeve. "I-I picked a thing or two and thought of something else for a change. It's delicious"
"Hmm," he chewed on the meat. Isadora suddenly found herself awaiting his thoughts on it.
'I shouldn't care what he thinks' she thought, mentally scolding herself for attempting to please such a man. She shouldn't forget the situation she's in, no matter how nice Rav is, it's quite clear she was kidnapped and taken against her will just to be used again.
'Steer carefully, Isadora Skaldwood' she mentally scolded herself.
"She needed to eat, can't with the ropes on," Rav interjected when Kraven detected the rope on the ground and then her bruised wrists.
"As long she doesn't run, not until I tell her to," he mused and their eyes met while he licked his fingers and her attention caved but quickly looked back to the fire.
"The swamp is too quiet unlike last time," Kraven conveyed to Rav, after scouring the area it strangely had a different aura. It didn't feel right.
"It wasn't a moment ago," Rav replied with narrowed eyes finally realizing the unwanted gazes were gone, or was it his imagination?
"Nevertheless, stay alert, we leave for the crossing at first light," he said and spared Isadora a look. "Cooking seems to be another thing you're good at, love"
Isadora's lips parted and her cheeks flushed, wondering how he knew.
He chuckled deeply at her surprise, his silver eyes shimmering with the light. Her innocence was too good not to ignore. "We both do a shitty job with food, it wasn't hard to know"