The dwarf offered her a sharp glance. “Don’t go gettin’ all high and mighty. There’s more to usin’ yer Ability than a bit of gold added to yerr complexion. Try fightin’ me next time and see who’s lying in bed unconscious.”

“Maybe I will.”

“Good.”

“Good.” Several moments passed in companionable silence, neither of them caring to carry out their halfhearted threats in the immediate present. A mouth-watering aroma wafted from Gruff’s cookfire to her nose. “Whutcha cookin’? Wait, did one o’ my traps catch sumthin’?”

“I didn’t check your fool traps, that’s your job, lazy. Nah, this is meat from a buck Aliza downed with one of her quill arrows a while back. Been eatin’ off it for several days now. Big ol’ bugger.”

The smell of roasting venison swarmed her nostrils even stronger, making her salivate and her stomach begin to ache. Had she really not eaten all day? She was surprised it had taken her this long to feel hungry; then again, it seemed that the godsblood was able to sustain her longer than any plate of food could.

Soon the meal was ready, and the rest of the group minus Jereb all flocked to the campfire while Gruff sliced off slabs of spiced meat. He’d also boiled a potato for each novice, sprinkled with garlic and a bit of salt. Lady Brenner also didn’t emerge from her house, so Aliza, who apparently the woman liked the most, delivered her a plate. Mirac came by to grab his plate before retreating to his usual spot amidst the shadows.

They all tucked in, relishing the warm fare, murmurs of enjoyment and the sound of chewing the only things that could be heard for several minutes during which evening fell in earnest. Perfidy was so focused on getting every last bit of meat and potato into her mouth that she didn’t notice when Julio slipped away and then returned with a large bottle of amber liquid.

“It is time for a bit of a tradition we have here at New Dawn. Sinna does not approve, but she is not here, is she?” He waggled his eyebrows as though proud of being the one to bend the rules a bit. “Clemmy, do you have the glasses?”

“Right here!” she called, clinking sounds arising as she rummaged in a small bag Perfidy had paid no attention to until now.

Soon the glasses were filled with the amber liquid from the bottle and each person had one in their hand, including Mirac, who had wandered over at some point without Perfidy noticing him. Now, Julio raised his in the air. “To Miss Perfidy Tress, for her outstanding achievement in utilizing her Ability today!” Glasses were clinked together, with each novice approaching her one at a time to complete the ritual. Even Mirac offered her a dark nod as their glasses met.

After the ceremony was finished, the others began downing the draught in a single swallow. Perfidy followed their example, almost coughing as the burning liquid seared its way down her throat. “That’s…strong,” she spluttered.