Excerpt:

Gregeri sat upon his bedding, watching the siblings busily preparing the meal. Tanselm had done everything before they’d arrived, and there was nothing left he could even offer to help with. As they were fully occupied, he decided now was a good time to occupy himself with learning anything more he could regarding the figurine he was to bring back.

He unfolded the documents, glancing first at the map, trying to discern their current location. How far had they travelled? He traced the city road, then found the smaller road diverging. While it felt like much more, they’d only travelled thirty miles at most. His legs ached from the walking, and he’d begun to develop a blister on his heel. While he certainly was more active than some of the fat city politicians he’d worked with in Frier, he was still not accustomed to walking quite so much, and certainly not as fit for it as the other two.

He glanced over. They were both small statured and wiry, but he suspected Tanselm could put him to shame in a show of strength, and Mariska might easily trump him in speed. Their daily life demanded physical fitness, and they were suited for it. While hardly rotund, Gregeri felt like a slob in comparison.

He turned his attention back to the documents, setting the map aside and instead looking the familiar words of his notes. By now, he’d read them so many times, he nearly had them memorized. Even so, he still hoped that he’d find something he missed, or read them with a new understanding. Still, nothing.

He had little idea what he was looking for, and even less of an idea as to where he was supposed to find it. Nonetheless, he was supposed to be back in Frier in two fort-night, with the elusive figurine in hand, completing the triad and unlocking the mysterious power they supposedly had.

Gregeri was not entirely sure he even believed in magic, but if it meant a solution, he would believe. Even his own younger sister had fallen prey to the illness that had spread through Frier. He had neglected to mention that particular detail when Mariska asked about his family. The court advisers believed the ancient magic would work, and for lack of a better option, he would too. All the same, he wished someone else had been charged with finding the figurine. While it could mean a return home to a level of status previously lacking in his current position, it could just as easily result in losing it altogether if he failed.

By now, Tanselm was gathering bowls and spoons and filling cups, indicating that dinner was nearly ready. Gregeri folded up the documents and stored them safely once again, turning around as a bowl, spoon, and cup were handed to him. As he had the night before, he followed their lead in dishing up the meal. Again, rice first, followed by a mix of meat—this time fresh, rather than salted—stringy green that looked a bit like spinach, and mushroom slices in a thin broth that was spooned over the rice. One thing he had noticed in Keth was that rice here was the base for just about any meal. While they ate rice often in Frier as well, it was usually seasoned or mixed with other food, and served as a side.

With a little trouble, Gregeri scooped up a bite of meat. He wished he had a fork, but that was another difference he’d noted. Kethians used a shallow sort of spoon. The only forks he’d seen were used for cooking, rather than eating. He felt a little clumsy, but using the edge of the bowl, he managed.

Having learned his lesson the night before, he blew on the meat a bit before taking a bite. It was still hot, but didn’t burn his mouth as he chewed. At least, not initially. Soon his eyes began to water and he dropped the spoon in favor of the cup, which he drained instantly.

Both siblings looked at him curiously, still chewing their food. Gregeri managed a strangled explanation. “Spicy.”

Another difference he had noted was the use of spicier seasonings. Chilies were one of the chief exports of Keth, and were widely enjoyed, it seemed. It wasn’t the first spicy meal he’d encountered since coming to Keth, but it was by far the spiciest.

“Rabbit tastes better with some seasoning,” explained Tanselm. Neither he nor his sister seemed to have any trouble. Gregeri didn’t bother mentioning that it seemed they had used more than just “some.”

After a moment to recover, Gregeri wiped at his eyes. “I think I’m going to need more water.”

Tanselm reached for the pot still half full with water and passed it to the foreigner, who immediately refilled his cup. Gregeri was hungry, and determined to eat this meal, but it would be a challenge.

He took bites gingerly, chasing them with large gulps of water. By the end of the meal, however, he found the spice didn’t bother him much. Whether that could be attributed to a building tolerance or pain induced numbness, Gregeri could not be sure.