Chapter 3: A Pig and a Dog

To Ellie's great relief, Hildegard wasn't around the next morning to resume her ranting. She figured that her mother spent the night in the Town Hall, buried up to her neck in work. And denial, too, if she thought she won! Deep down, Hilda had to know Ellie was right. Putting a time limit on grief was just...all kinds of wrong.

Ellie set a pot of water on the gas burner, switched it on, and lit a match to get it started. Any minute now, Bodil would arrive to relieve Henrik of his duties. Sometimes, she showed up with breakfast in tow, big armfuls of fresh baked bread and jam, but Ellie wasn't in the mood to talk to her even in exchange for food.

She made four servings of bulgur wheat porridge, dumping each one into a capped jar that she stuffed into her bag. This time, she ensured she'd look better prepared for her journey. She packed a travel-sized water jug, an apple, a small bundle of jerky wrapped in wax paper, and a blade from her lockpicking kit. Its size made its function as a weapon questionable (and not at all intimidating), but it was better than nothing.

Already in her bag was her main thank-you gift to Shreya, her savior.

Once she was finished, Ellie wiped the counters and put everything away. Leaving behind a mess was bound to trigger another fight, so she did everything she could to avoid that. She swore she had the kitchen glowing by the time she was done cleaning.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she shut the door behind her.

The sun hung high in the sky, hot enough to make her forget yesterday's chilliness. Her boots crunched gravel as she walked down the path to their front gate. Having to think fast, she'd shoved the gourd beneath the closest bush to the gate. The way its leaves arched over the dirt provided enough cover for it to be a good hiding spot.

...Supposedly. On second glance, it seemed to be peeking out a lot more than it had when she left it. Anyone with sharp enough eyes could spot it. If it weren't for a certain traitor leaning against her wire fence, she would've scooped it up immediately and been on her way.

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A/N: This is an interactive fantasy serial. Voting takes place on Thursdays through Sundays on the story's main site. The most up-to-date chapters can also be found there, but uploading will happen in parts on RRL as well.

The next post will be Chapter 3.2.

The latest chapter's poll is still active (as of February 27th at 1:00 AM EST). Voting will end by February 28th at 11:59 PM EST.