Chapter 222: A Warm Welcome
"I do hope you don’t mind somethin’ simple to drink, darlin’," the Mother of Thorns said, gesturing for Ashlynn and Heila to join her. "We don’t keep much wine here in the Briar, though if you’re ever in need, there are far more interestin’ ways to cloud your mind, if that’s what you’re after, and I always have a few such things on hand. I had Tala fix up some fresh lemonade, but if you’d prefer, there’s sweet tea chillin’ as well."
For a moment, the relaxed, casual greeting from such a powerful host completely froze Ashlynn in her tracks. What was the etiquette for this? Bow? Introductions? Should she take her boots off like the woman before her? She didn’t know. Her etiquette lessons at home covered meeting powerful figures in the Church but she didn’t think that they applied to witches.
"We’ll be happy with anything you offer," Ashlynn said, giving a slight bow and taking a seat across the table from the woman in black. A moment later, Heila joined her though they were both puzzled by the pale yellow beverage in the cups before them.
After spending time among the Frost Walkers and the multitude of clans in High Fen City, Ashlynn had adjusted her expectations about what sorts of things might be included as ’food’ but she couldn’t for the life of her think of anything that was so... yellow.
The aroma, however, was crisp and refreshing and when she finally took a sip she found it to be a surprisingly pleasant combination of sweet and tart that both satisfied her thirst and cooled her body.
"Thank you," she said, only realizing when she spoke that she’d consumed almost everything in her cup.
"Y’all just relax a bit, you must be hungry too after all that walkin’. Tala, sugar, be a doll and fetch us a few bowls of gumbo from the pot. I started it at dawn, it should be plenty well done by now."
"Yes, Mother," Talauia said, bounding to a nearby cupboard to retrieve several bowls and utensils. "I’ll get it, I’ll get it, and do you want some too?"
"Serve enough for everyone, sugar," the Mother of Thorns said sweetly. "Your little brother should be joining us soon too, so don’t leave him out. Now, Miss Ashlynn, who is this enchanting belle with you? I seem to recall telling your Lady Nyrielle that you were the only one permitted to enter this time, even Miss Zedya was to be excluded."