Chapter 2: Breakfast
Our story does not begin with our "friend" the red King, but with a child. A young girl who goes by the name Astrid.
Siting atop a large tree she could see the entire camp even in the wee hours of the night. She always marveled at how many colors of tents there were, no two the same. The pinwheel of art was spread across a wide plain. A large wood pile in the center for the days festivities. Her troop sound asleep, no need for guards when they were the most feared and loved group in all the land.
"A girl can breath up here." She thought as she relaxed and sat against the trunk.
"I know I am enjoying my time out here as well" came an elegant retort in her mind. Looking down a 300 pound white wolf was running around chasing squirrels and dragging an elk back from who knows where. They had been out here the entire night and the sun had almost concluded to grace them with its presence.
"I guess this means we should go back?" She thinks as she stands up. Having spent most of the night in this tree while her beloved friend and family, Odette, ran around the forest. Astrid stood up, stretching her arms, before climbing down the tree and joining her companion on the ground.
Noticing that the elk was killed by Odette latching on to its rear, Astrid made a face of dread. "I know Bear is not going to be happy" Odette thought to her. " I was just bored Okay." She grabbed her elk and towed it back to camp.
Astrid thought of Bear, one of the cooks who also skinned all the meat to feed the entire camp. He told every one "if you can't kill it cleanly, don't do it". He even pulled out a knife and held the tip to peoples chins when he said it. When he told Odette he threatened to skin her. Of course she didn't listen and he always reminded her of his threat every time she came back with something like this poor mangled... thing.
As they walked to the camp they had a lovely conversation, in their mind of course.
A- "you know, we have enough food you didn't need to hunt this elk."
O- "Do you think it is wasteful?"
A- "No, not at all. I also understand you need to run around. At the same time we will be having a hunt in a few days."
O- "I know, that's why I hunted this elk 50 miles away chasing him towards your camp."
A- "Mmmm, thank you. That was very thoughtful of you."
They walked in silence for the rest of the trip. As soon as they entered camp Astrid started to stare at the tents. Each one had markings all over, depicting a story. The story was that of the occupant, meaning each tent was unique in every way. The longer some one had been apart of the troop the more markings on the tent. As she approached her tent it appeared all black, because there were so many markings. Odette walked right in, Astrid hesitated at the door before sighing and entering.
In that moment the sun peaked over the mountains, and the first bird chirped its good morning to Elios. The morning slowly brought a bustling of people working out and doing an assortment of chores. Usually people would get up and work out right away, then run off to do their specific chore. Milking the cows, feeding the Animals, cooking food, or something to help the camp thrive. The Camp could function all on its own with little being bought at a market. A few hours passed as Astrid looked over some finances. The camp had a few people who would take excess produce and goods to a market and would sell them and bring back the profits. Then the profits would be split among the entire troop. If some one felt they were doing to much work they could switch with some one for a while.
"Astrid I'm coming in!" came a call from outside of her tent. It was Kalla one of the original members of the troop. She brought with her a beautiful floor length blood red dress. "This is for tonight, I will be by to make sure you accessorize correctly and ACTUALLY WEAR IT. I thought red to match your hair."
Siting at a table looking at some paperwork, she gestured to the bed. Kalla noticing Odette on the bed laid it on the head board. "Don't forget, breakf..."
Astrid looked up at Kalla who had stopped her sentence mid way. Kalla held up her hands and walked out " I will see you there then." Kalla left to make a few more deliveries and Astrid resumed looking over her documents, when a commotion could be heard outside. She stepped out side her tent to see a boy on a horse strode into camp. Astrid pulled a cloth over her face and a hood over her hair. A crowd had formed around the boy, even Kalla had stopped her deliveries to greet him. Astrid not wanting to be seen walked in a smaller group of three of her closer companions, kalla, Holland, and Penelope.
Some one spoke up in the crowd " what brings you here boy."
The boy scared out of his whits reply's " I seek an audience with Astrid, leader of this troop."
Penelope spoke up " What do you need her for? We can help you with what ever, we should not bother such an important lady."
"I have a letter from the Red King. He said to give it straight to her." He looked around at every one, not seeing a red haired person, he stayed content on his horse.
Astrid looking at the boy meticulously whispered to Penelope "Invite him to breakfast, this boy hasn't eaten in weeks." As she said this she retired to the food tent. Checking on how everything was going and helping to set the table.
She tried not to make eye contact with Bear but this was impossible, seeing as he had the elk on his back. He stopped right in front of her "What is this..." He holds out a half gnawed elk.
"Bring it up with Odette, I told her you wouldn't be happy." she walked over to Ava, Bears wife. " I'm sorry to put him in a fowl mood so early."
"It is not your fault. Breakfast is almost ready."
"Okay, Can you get a to go bag ready for the messenger boy? I am sure he has a family he is trying to feed as well."
Ava nods, and packs while Astrid walks out of the green tent. Passing everyone going in she noticed Penelope escorting the boy into the tent. Meeting up with Odette they walk together back to the green tent.
"I believe it is time for me to realign with the two kingdoms. either that or War is upon us and we must conclude the prophesy as fast as possible." Astrid thinks to Odette.
"Right now is not the time for this thinking, lets enjoy today and we can leave in couple of days, when we don't have anything planned."
She nodded and they enter the tent together. Every one had already gotten their food and sat down. The boy tried to stand up to walk over to the girl with the great white wolf but was stopped by Penelope. Astrid walked to the back of the tent to her chair. Looking at the table a plate of eggs bacon and fruit had already been made for her. Along with a glass of milk. Picking up her glass taking a sip she addressed the crowd "Every one thank our chefs..." every one raised their glasses and hollered. "Every one welcome the kings messenger..." every one raised their glasses again. " Every one Thank Kalla for our wonderful party outfits..." Every one became incredibly loud on this one. The anticipation for the impending party tonight was only done a couple times a year. "The last thing please remember the grand hunt starts tomorrow after morning breakfast."
Astrid opened her arms signaling to begin eating. Then she sat down and ate her fruit. The boy tried to get up again, but was stopped once more by Penelope "You haven't eaten in weeks, this is free food. Are you really going to stop eating to go disrupt her eating?"
The boy obeyed and continued to eat his fill of food. When he thought no one was looking he would hide a roll in his messenger bag. He had been informed he could eat as much as he wanted as long as he remembered that he would have to ride back to the red king. In light of this he made sure to go back for seconds and thirds just to get extra rolls to hide for his family. After the 5th roll was hidden Penelope finally told him " Astrid has requested that a bag be filled with food for your family. You don't need to steal food. Although if you enjoy stealing free food you may keep going".
The boy, embarrassed, lost his apatite and sat patiently waiting for Astrid to be finished with her Breakfast.
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