Into the Fray: Volume 1 of The Sorcerers of Jhanvia Series by Aderyn Lonigan Page A

here eating grass and swatting flies with my tail.”
    Kidreyli laughed quietly to herself as she stood and walked outside, taking a seat on her newly favorite bench. She leaned back against the hut, and within moments, she was sailing in the realm of the unconscious.

he evening feast was something to behold. The largest table away from the fire pit held three platters of freshly cooked meats as the main course, meats culled from the surrounding forest just this day. Several plates of root crops, vegetables and fruit were interspersed with the platters of steaming meat. Fresh herbs growing in their containers were at the end of the table. A large bowl of breads and rolls were available for the taking. The spread was far more than enough food for the villagers and their guests. Torches had been lit and were placed around to provide plenty of light. The fire pit was well involved, providing pleasant warmth on this cool evening. Most of the villagers had already taken their places when Kidreyli and Kaitra arrived. The air was filled with laughter and conversation as another successful day was celebrated.
    Eirran addressed the assembled. “My friends, we gather here this evening in celebration of our bountiful harvest, and to welcome two good friends.” He held up his cup of mead. “Long life and good fortune to you both.”
    “And to all of you,” Kaitra replied.
    Kidreyli smiled and nodded to him. She nearly responded to him in their language, as she had done so many times in her life when addressing the Clannya, but she thought better of it. Their respective cultures did have a mutual understanding regarding anonymity with outsiders, after all.
    “Please, ladies, partake of our bounty and come sit over here with us,” offered Eirran.
    The girls each grabbed a wooden platter and loaded on some food. Kaitra took note of the warrior’s overly generous portions and remarked, “Rather a lot, don’t you think?”
    Kidreyli looked at her defiantly. “I’ve hardly eaten anything all day, unlike
you
, who earlier ate a table full of food.” A moment of pause, then, “Why am I answering to you? You’re not my mother.” She took her platter and grabbed a tankard of mead on her way to the table.
    Kaitra laughed to herself. Her friend did not like to be teased. She would have to break her of that. She snapped up a small bread roll, opted for a non-alcoholic beverage and took a seat across the table from the warrior, who had already started eating.
    “Try the mead,” Eirran encouraged. “Cliona makes it rarely, only for special occasions.”
    Kidreyli smiled and took a swig that was a bit larger than those who were watching had expected. She was a warrior after all. She had partaken of more than her share of drink during her travels. The shortest of moments passed when all was well, then, the mead did what mead does. Her eyes got large as she took a deep breath.
    “Good?” asked Eirran with a devious smile.
    She could barely get out a breathy, “Yeah.”
    All at the table laughed a little.
    “It’s very smooth, but robust,” explained Eirran half-laughingly. “The strongest have been brought to their knees by it.”
    Kidreyli ate a chunk of bread to help calm the effects. It was very good mead.
    The villagers and their guests ate their meals in the warm firelight and floated a myriad of discussions, interspersed with occasional laughter, on the evening air. Kaitra mostly watched the goings-on, surprised a bit by the closeness of this tiny community. There was a sense of security and well-being that exuded from this place, none like she had ever felt.
    Eirran noticed that Kaitra had only eaten a small portion of the food in front of her, so he asked, “My lady, is the food not to your liking?”
    “It’s very good,” she replied sullenly. “I had a large meal earlier. I’m very tired. Would you mind if I retired for the evening?”
    “Not at all,” he replied. “Is there anything you need?”
    “Please,