4 A Potful of Stew

HELENA POV

The winds grew stronger, and the rain became heavier. The sky rumbled inevitably as the dark clouds quickly changed from day to night. From tiny raindrops to heavy rainfall, I could tell my father is having a hard time finding his way considering there is no enough light. The tapping noise of each drop falling on the roof increases my anxiety for I know, our caravan isn't too resistant to extreme precipitation.

Surely, my parents are overboard even though they are not showing how afraid they are. And in this state of worry, it is not surprise if my pregnant mother would deliver her unborn child as witnessed by thunder and lightning. I let her sit tight on the floorboards of the caravan, as I assist my father to steer the horses blindly in the dark.

Soaking wet from the cloudburst, I stood up as I held on the roof brackets. The caravan violently move side to side as we go further through the muddy road. The cold didn't bother us. We didn't care about the winds. What I'm most concerned of, is the dead foxes on the road that we encountered. The way my mother reacted to it seemed like, we are being targeted and followed by something wicked. How could a healer protect himself when we have vows not to inflict pain or harm? I guess, running away is the best option. And so I realized, is that what were doing?

"We are so lost". I yelled clearly to make sure my father hears me. Eventually, the shallow puddles of water will soon turn to flood if more rain pursued.

"Getting lost is just part of the journey! We'll find a good shelter, I'm sure", my father confidently answered. He really has his ways of keeping me optimistic no matter how dreadful the situation is.

As we go, I noticed something gleaming straight ahead. I thought I was imagining things but as we go further, the brighter and clearer the light ought to be. "There Father! I can see light up ahead!", I shouted as I pointed towards the direction of the light.

My father gasped in relief. He snapped the leather straps to rush the horses towards the glistening light. At a distance from where the light is coming from, I could finally see that the light is peeking through the window of a hut. I call ourselves surprisingly fortunate.

My father stopped the caravan right in front of it, and immediately assisted my mother to come down carefully. He removed the straps of the horses and took them to shelter in the front porch of the hut. My mother and I knocked on the door in search for the home owners. Remarkably, the hut is made of both stone and wood that seemed like newly built.

"Anyone in here?", my mother knocked on the door several times. Despite wet and cold, my parents seemed not too bothered from it at all. Perhaps, that's because they grew up in the the Snow Mountain as they claim that is.

"Hello?", I tiptoed to peek through the small open window on the left side of the main door. From here, I can tell the house is very well kept and, it doesn't look shabby as it is on the outside. It's a bit dark with only the crackling blaze from the hearth lighting up the entire hut. I noticed a big cauldron hanging above it and I couldn't miss the pleasant smell of stew filling the air. Someone must be cooking, so definitely, there's someone here. "Anyone?", I shouted. Unfortunately, I couldn't sense entities when the sky is ravaging the earth. I looked back to my mother and shrugged my shoulders. No one's inside.

"Keep it down, will you?", my father soothe the restless horses who are probably frightened with the never ending roars of thunder and flashes of lightning.

Then, to our surprise, a small lady opened a little crevice on the door. Astounded with her sudden appearance, we stood frozen while she stared at each of us in bewilderment, probably perplexed at the appearance of strangers at this time of the night. "It is not very likely to have guests in this side of the kingdom", she shyly said.

"We apologize to disturb your peace, but my family need help", my mother plead respectfully as she held on to her belly. "We need a place to stay for the night, the storm may get to us if we stay on the road", she added.

The lady opened the door widely to let us in. She's wearing a white long muslin chemise, which I thought is too thin for a weather like this. Her black hair is neatly placed on one side, and she has this angelic facial expression that is very calming and welcoming. "Come in", she softly said.

"Do you mind if I tie the horses on your porch? We just can't leave them outside under the rain", my father asked.

"Actually there is a livestock quarters inside, you can put them there", the lady timidly said as she point the large wooden door up ahead, just beside the hearth. "There's a privy chamber in there too, you could use a warm bath. The weather suddenly went too cold today", she added.

Dripping wet, my mother and I came in first, followed by my father and his dearest horses. He immediately took them in the livestock quarters led by the lady of the house. While my mother and I waited, I took the privilege to look around. It is now much brighter, where the hut is now casting light from two more brass oil lamps - one hanging on the corner, and one on the table. The hut doesn't look that small inside, in fact, it's really spacious, warm and restful. The thatched roof is fixed finely, and the stone walls are stacked neatly. At the entrance, we were welcomed with a table and three stools, and a lighted oil lamp on top. The other side of the hut is divided with a gilded room divider, where there's a big straw bed, a chest at its foot, and a closet by the window.

This is indeed some place I'd hope for us, too. Only, I wanted to have floral decorations and hummingbirds all around.

"My house is terribly small for more people. I apologize I won't be able to accommodate you at your comfort", the lady said as she came back from the livestock quarters. My father might still be tying the horses.

"This is fine. We won't really take too long. We'll leave as soon as the rain have stopped", my mother said as she squeeze a few layers of her wet dress. However, the heavens might not still want us to leave that it rained even harder.

"I don't think the rain will stop anytime soon. You could stay here as you please.", the lady said. "Who would expect rain in this desert", she added.

"We can stay with our horses in the quarters, we don't want to just barge in and invade your privacy", my mother insisted as she tries not to abuse the hospitality being given to us.

"Do you live alone?", I finally asked. I could sense another distinct existence inside the hut. Also, a potful of stew for one person isn't really ideal.

"No, I have my family here. My husband just went out to hunt three days ago. We share a son.", she answered deliberately as we hear a child cough productively.

"Is he sick?", I asked.

"A terrible time it is to be sick. Without his father, I couldn't gather herbs to relieve his.. illness", she answered as she took a quick look at the straw bed where his son is laying under a piece of crimson cloth. "His fever haven't come down since this morning", she revealed. "Anyway, I'm glorious to have visitors who could accompany us through the night, which is very rare in a place like this. You could use some rest and change your wet clothes. You all might catch a cold", she said as she gather clothing and blankets from a chest. "I'm cooking stew, we can all share it for supper once you have settled down", she offered.

"Thank you for taking us in. We will repay with the food that we have gathered", my mother bowed in respect then signaled me to get the food we can pay the lady with back in the caravan before heading in. I immediately complied with no objections at all. Ultimately, it is very generous of the owner to help us out.

"No. Thank you, Beatrice", the lady said as she follow my mother.

Have we introduced ourselves? We might have. Maybe, I was just too tired to remember. I looked back and watched them leave the main room. "How bizarre", I whispered before I rush out.

It is fortunate for us to find a nice house at our convenience with a kind land owner. Beautiful, but intriguing.

Back in the caravan, I gathered everything that I could possibly need in a small weaved basket - nuts and fruits to give the lady of the house in exchange for our stay through the night. I also collected what I can and what I thought would be useful for our stay in the quarters - more food, clean drinking water and a few clothes. I caught a glimpse of my carry on bag, and grabbed it too. As I come down the caravan, I stared at the gloomy hut as the lightning strike over it. "We didn't tell her our names", I said.