At breakfast Orn ate silently while his father and relatives discussed village gossip, again.

Orn barely listened as they talked about people he did not know. His father, in contrast knew everyone in the village. A fact that encouraged Aunty and Uncle to tell his father about everything that had happened to every one of them.

Hoping to see that he as not the only one bored by the conversation he looked across the table to his cousins. Unlike the day before they seemed subdued and when they realized he was looking at them they turned their attention fully to their food. Feeling his shoulders slump he did the same. So much for Aunty not getting on to them. Now my own cousins do not like me...

…

Aunty noticed he emptied his place, “Do you want more to eat?”

“No…” her eye narrowed, so he quickly added “ma’am.”

Smiling she gestured to his older cousin, “Then wash your plate in the kitchen. Jomie will show you.”

Jomie nodded and picking up his own plate motioned for Orn to follow.

Orn followed his cousin, through an open doorway into the kitchen. The kitchen was dominated by a large stove on one wall, with a counter running along the other walls. Jomie silently walked to a pair of buckets near the stove.

“You take the cup from the clean water and hold the plate over the dirty water bucket. Then you pour the clean water over it. If it has got anything stuck, you use the scrub stick,” he pointed to a branch with one end beaten to make it stringy, “Then you rinse it.”

Jomie then demonstrated with his plate then stepped out of the way to watch Orn clean his own plate. Orn repeated the process he was shown placing his plate next to Jomie’s on the counter.

Jomie only nodded and started back to the door. Halfway there he added, “Do not forget to do that every meal. Mom gets really mad if you do not.”

“I appreciate the warning.” He had only been there a day, but he had a distinct feeling that getting on Aunty’s bad side was not advisable. Recognizing the warning as a thawing of the awkwardness he thought, maybe it will work out.

Orn’s older cousin came in carrying his own empty plate as the two boys headed back. Looking at the pair he seemed to search for words before rushing through what he wanted to say, “Father said Jommy’s family is running behind, so we do not have to pick anything today…. So do you want to see if we can get a game going?”

“We should also grab your bow if you want to come. Father said that asking you to use one of our bows when you are a knight is not fair.” Gorud paused then rubbed the back of his neck before looking at Orn, “Sorry about that. We were not trying to be unfair.” The older boy then became suddenly interested in his shoes.

Orn was surprised by how depressed his cousin seemed to be. Looking to Jomie for an answer the other boy leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “Gorud bragged about beating you. Dad did not like the bragging.”

“Do not worry about it. I did not take it as cheating. I should have hung around for the game I just felt awkward since I was not as good as everyone else. I need to get better so I can hold my own.” Kao’s advice coming to his mind he walked past his cousin and into the main room. “On that thought I need to ask if Uncle would be free to take me on a hunt.”

Orn did not notice his cousins exchange worried looks and was in the other room before it occurred to either boy to grab him.

The adults had reached a lull in their conversation when he made it back to the table. Might as well ask now. Clearing his throat, the adults turned to him. “Uncle may I go on hunt with you?”

Uncle looked from Orn to his father, “I do not mind, but I thought your father was going to head out tomorrow morning. If Orn goes hunting with me, you will get a late start at best.”

Orn’s father shrugged, “We came so Orn could meet you. Mareen Will not mind if we are a day or two late.”

Uncle looked at Aunty, “He will need some supplies, since Jommy is late…”

“That is what I was thinking. Aunty stood smiling at her husband. “I might as well teach him to pack it himself while I am at it. Can you get the dishes?”

Uncle leaned back a stroked his beard. “I guess I can, this time.”

They laughed and Aunty bent to kiss her husband on the cheek. Standing back up she looked to Orn. “He will be leaving in the evening, but you will need a few things before you go.”