A Perfect Day VI

The two make their way towards the center of the training area standing beside me, extending their hands and shaking each other's hands with a look of determination and respect in their eyes.

"It was a good match, Faendal. You are the better archer." Inigo tells Faendal with sincerity.

"That's kind of you, Inigo." Faendal says with a smug smile as they shake hands.

"But, I'm a swordsman as well, and I'm certain I'd beat you in a bout of martial prowess." Inigo says, tightening his grip on Faendal's hand.

"Ooh, is that a challenge from a sore loser I'm hearing?" Faendal says, returning the grip.

I roll my eyes as they start to argue once more before I wrap my arm around their necks and pull them together, "Enough, you two, maybe we can hold another tournament later, but today we gotta get back to work." I tell them before turning to the audience, raising up Faendal's hand high above his head.

"And the winner of our first-ever archery tournament to determine the best archer in all the company is Faendal!" I announce to the crowd, who chant and cheer his name as he takes his winnings and goes over to wrap Camilla in his arms before kissing her intensely.

"Alright, everyone! Break's over. It's time for us all to get back to work so that we can have roofs over our heads in the coming days." I say, dosing their earlier enthusiasm as I drive them back to their tasks.

I returned to my carpentry I had left half-finished when the children began hunting their 'tickle monster.' The newer children get settled in, but I've noticed the kids have already started to group themselves into one of three groups.

The Shys, led nominally by Sofie, comprised of Sofie, Agni, Francois, and Sissel. This group tends to do things on their own, separate from the other children, not from being excluded, but they all seem to be some level of introvert, and they like to have their own personal time to study or relax by themselves.

The Rowdies, led nominally by Aventus, comprised of Aventus, Britte, Runa, and Hroar, they like playing around more than their studies unless the subject interests them. They're really active and full of energy, but that energy can become disruptive if not turned towards positive things.

Lastly, the Big Sibs, which is directly led by Lucia, compromised of Lucia, Alesen, Blaise, and Samuel, I call them that as they've taken on the role of being the big siblings amongst the children. Trustworthy and reliable, they are diligent with their studies, ready to help the other children at a moment's notice, and always looking to pitch in a helping hand around camp.

While I'm happy the children have found their little friend groups, I don't want these groups to drive a wedge between them… Maybe I should ask Constance and Kasia to keep an eye on them from time to time?

I simmer in my thoughts as I work til the dusk light settles over the camp, and we all call it a day before going to eat dinner together as one big happy family.

I decided to try my best to make a pizza from my memories of my last life working at a pizza place.

I make a dough without yeast, a pizza sauce, without the iconic Italian seasoning blend, topping it with some shredded goat cheese and some cooked venison sausage...

Everyone loved it, and honestly, it wasn't bad for my first attempt in years... But the stark contrast from what I remember pizza should taste like left me in a bit of a sour and nostalgic mood.

I help Constance and Kasia, who have sort of become the defacto den mothers of the children, tuck in all the children in their new bunk beds, and they're fast asleep before we even have a chance to extinguish the candles.

Constance excuses herself to go and find a tent for the night, leaving Kasia and me alone in the main dining room of the manor.

"So, you wanted to work on the recruitment pamphlets tonight, right?" I ask, trying to break the awkward silence since I'm not yet tired enough to go to bed, and I haven't had as much time with Kasia as I'd have liked recently.

Kasia jumps, slightly surprised by my sudden question.

"U-um, yes! Let's work on it in the basement so we don't disturb anyone's rest." Kasia suggests as she heads off to grab some supplies while I head down the basement hatch.

It takes Kasia several minutes to gather her supplies before heading down the hatch into the basement, though with her arms full, it's difficult for her to navigate the ladder down...

And as expected, mid-way down the ladder, her foot slips, and she tumbles backward, papers, quills, and vials, flying every which way as Kasia curls up into a ball in a panic to protect herself from the fall.

I'm near enough by the ladder that I'm able to take a couple of steps forward, allowing Kasia to fall into my embrace as I hold strong to keep from being knocked over by the sudden addition of weight.

Kasia, still afraid of hitting the ground, has her hands covering her eyes as if that will stop her from falling.

After a moment, she slowly removes her hands and opens her eyes, looking at me with a complicated expression as the papers swirl around us.

"Are you okay?" I ask Kasia with concern, quickly checking for any injuries while I hold her in my arms like a princess.

"I-I'm fine… Y-you can set me down now…" Kasia says meekly as I hold her above the scattered mess splayed across the floor.

I look around at the floor and notice that, thankfully, only one of the ink bottles cracked and spilled on a handful of papers and one of the journals I've noticed Kasia constantly writing in when she's not busy.