17 The Village of Farenlite (2)

We entered the village while the sun was high up in the sky. The village was not too big and I bet people here knows how each other.

"It's the young lord." I heard village people whisper.

"A good day to you my young lord." The village people greet as we pass by.

Vladford was the only heir to his father and he was well know to the people of the duchy as well. Since he was a child he was up and about around the duchy, trailed along side his father the duke.

"Let us get off here." Vladford said. "There are stables this way. We can leave our horses there."

Vladford was first to go down his horse and he was quick to be at my side to help me down. Hilna and Jacob followed as well.

After leaving our horses at the stables we all were the the village plaza, waiting on what to do next.

"Let's have our lunch at the tavern I have mentioned." Hilna said. "The ones that run it are acquaintances of mine."

Hilna led the way and we now find ourselves inside a normal looking tavern. It was lunch time and the tavern was quite full of people eating their meals. There are those that were drinking liquor early as well.

"Sorry boy, you can't go in." I said to Van. "But I will have someone get you lunch out here, okay."

*WHINING*

Van was whining and I was sad to leave him out here, but he cannot go inside a tavern full of eating people. They might get annoyed of an animal eating inside.

"Oh I can let him eat at the back kitchen. He seems to be a good boy." A young lady who seemed to be a server came out to greet us. "Hi Hilna. I never thought you would be here this early."

"I got your message last night, Serena." Hilna replied. "Of course we wouldn't want to miss the chance to go and see the snow lilies."

"I see you brought your friends along." Serena said. "It is an honor to meet the young lord of Heathfield. I am Serena, the one managing this small business of ours. Please come in. I will make sure that your dog will be fed properly at the back kitchen."

"Thank you so much Serena." Hilna said. "I know Serena and her brother Aslan due to they are the ones supplying wild herbs to our household." Hilna said tole us.

"The woods in the outskirts of the village are home to many wild herbs and spices that we use in cooking our delicacies." Serena said. "My brother Aslan saw it as an opportunity and made it our own little business. At first he presented our wild herbs and spices to Hilna's house and thru her father we are in talks to supply to the duke's household as well."

"It sounded like your small business is coming to fruition." I said while hearing a small business slowly becoming successful. "I am Rosaline of house De Falco by the way. I would want to hear your stories on how you have started your small business."

"A young entrepreneur is the lady, I see." Serena smiled. "But it would be best to talk to my brother. He was the one with a mind for business."

"Where is Aslan by the way?" Hilna asked while looking around.

"He is out to get some more wild herbs in the woods." Serena replied. "You know what the snow lilies heralds in, right? He was just making sure to get more wild herbs before a blizzard hits and winter officially starts. Maybe you would see him out in the woods while on your way to see the snow lilies. The place where he get wild herbs are just near where they bloom."

"Before that, we would like to order some rabbit stew of yours." Hilna said. "And some smoked lamb as well as four spirits if you do not mind."

"But of course." Serena replied. "Just wait for a while and before I serve them."

Serena retreated to the back of the tavern where I believe the kitchen will be found.

"She makes the best rabbit stew you could ever have tasted." Hilna said. "Maybe it is also thanks to the wild herbs that Aslan has started to manufacture, the taste is something you will look forward to every time you come here."

"So that is one of the best selling menu here, I believe." I said.

"Hmm, not quite." Hilna said. "There are still many to list. There skewers are also to die for. And the smoked lamb, ahh… don't get me started."

"Hahaha…" I giggled. "I never thought you were such a foodie Hilna."

"What's a foodie?" Hilna asked in confusion. Vladford and Jacob was looking at me with clueless expressions as well.

'A crap…' I thought to myself. 'I forgot that word was something to describe someone that loves food in my original world.'

"Ahhh… um, it's just a word I came up with." I said. "You know… someone that likes food, I guess." I tried to reason out.

"Hmm… a foodie." Hilna said and smiled. "Well, maybe I am. Hehe." She laughed.

After a while the food we ordered has now been served.

"Please enjoy." Serena said. She placed the last platter on our table and proceeded to wait on other customers.

"Let's eat." Hilna said and we started to dig in.

Vladford took my bowl and placed some stew in eat. He also out some smoked lamb on my plate. Before he put it down, he took a taste first of the stew and a bite off the smoked lamb. He paused for a while and proceeded to give me the meal.

"Here you go." Vladford said. "The stew is still hot. Blow on it before taking a spoon, okay." He said.

"Oh come on Vlad, you are being such a worry wart." Hilna said.

"It is better to be safe than sorry." Vladford said. "You would never know what is in the food especially this is not her estate."

It is not unusual to check the food we eat outside before eating. We are still nobles and threats of assassinations and kidnapping are evident. Especially while there are hostilities with other neighboring nations because of the mana stones.

"Thank you, Vlad." I replied.

"You are most welcome." Vladford replied.

Vladford had always been protective of me since the last time I was attacked by snow wolves. Because he was immune to poisons due to the fire birds blessing, he usually tastes my food whenever we eat out.

We eat a hearty meal and was full. We were getting ready to head out when Serena came to us.

"Are you heading out already?" Serena asked.

"Yes we are." Hilna replied.

"We would like to get there and head back to Wisteria before the sun sets." Jacob said.

"Then you better be off then." Serena said. "I have a favor to ask."

"Sure." Hilna replied. "What is it?"

"Please keep an eye out for Aslan, will you?" Serena said. "He should have been back by now. He might have been so engrossed with picking wild herbs and lost track of time."

"We will." Vladford was the one to reply. "We enjoyed our meal here. If it is not a bother, I would like to invite you to the estate. I have tasted your cooking and I believe that the wild herbs had done wonders to your menu. I am sure our head cook might want you and your brother to supply these wild herbs and spices of yours."

"That's wonderful young lord." Serena was shocked at first but then seemed excited. "My brother Aslan would love this news."

"I will also tell him when we see him." Vladford said.

"Thank you…" Serena said with a wide and happy smile. "Thank you, my young lord."

"Well then, we are off." Hilna said.

We got out and not long Van came running towards me.

*ARF ARF*

"Did you have your fill boy?" I asked.

*ARF ARF*

"He loved the roasted chicken I served him." Serena said with a smile.

*ARF ARF*

Van was barking and wagging his tail happily.

"Thank you very much." I said to Serena while petting Van. "Let me compensate you for his food." I was about to get my purse.

"Oh no worries." Serena said while waving her hand. "The young lord had already paid handsomely. Just be careful on the road."

"Thank you once again." I waved goodbye.

We came back to the stables to get our horses and was on the trail to the woods east of the village. The road we are trailing was and easy one and looked like it was frequently passed by many.

"Let's make a turn here." Hilna took the lead.

We made a turn to a more narrow trails and it had lead to an open meadow. There I can see a sea of white petals fluttering with the wind. It was such a magnificent sight to behold.

"It wonderful." I said while looking at the scenery.

"Told you it was worth it." Hilna said with a grin.

It was a scenery that I could only see in the screen of my television back in my original world. If I only had a camera or a mobile phone with me, I would have taken many pictures by now.