Cohen stepped inside and closed the door behind him. There was hardly any room within the cabin. A small hearth stood across from her with a cheery fire burning brightly. A sleeping mat lay on the dirt floor, with a chest at one end. To her right was a narrow table with a candle on top and two chairs. And in the back by the larder, a pot, a pan, and a few cooking utensils hung from the ceiling. Overall, it reminded her of the small home of Petur, the gardener at Rook Castle.

“The man was kind enough to offer us food from his own larder,” Taegis said as he headed toward the back.

Selene stepped aside and stood by the fire as Damien, Taegis, and Sten gathered around the larder and pulled items from the cupboard. Cohen came and stood beside her. Taegis placed a platter topped with ham on the table. Sten followed with a loaf of brown bread and knife. Damien found a wooden pitcher and two tankards.

At the sight of food, Selene heard her stomach growl again, and a dizzy spell washed over her. She had never eaten cold ham, but at the moment, she felt like she could eat anything.

Taegis began to slice the meat while Sten broke off pieces of bread. Damien took a step back and closed his eyes. His lips moved but no words came from his mouth. Karl moved forward and poured pale liquid from the pitcher into the two waiting tankards.

Selene watched Damien from the corner of her eye. What was he doing? A moment later, his eyes opened, and he held out his hand as Karl handed him a tankard.

Instead of taking a drink, he looked over at Selene and held the tankard out to her. “You first.”

She took the wooden cup and held it up to her lips, her eyes never leaving his. The scent of sweet yeastiness filled her nose, and she took a drink. The ale was tepid and tangy, warming her as it flowed down her throat. She took another drink as she realized how thirsty she was. After draining half of the mug, she handed it back. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Damien took the tankard and finished it off with one long gulp.

“Here,” Sten said as he handed her a chunk of bread.

Selene tore off a piece and hardly chewed before she swallowed and broke off another piece. Bread had never tasted so wonderful. Sten handed her a thick slice of ham. The salty and smoky-flavored pork brought a groan to her lips. After living off of hard biscuits and dried meat the last two days, this simple fare was a feast.

The men began to chat and laugh as they enjoyed food and drink. Selene listened as she finished off her own meal. The dim light, pleasant company, and full belly brought fatigue crashing down on her. What she wouldn’t give for her bed back home in Rook Castle.