The queen joined her maid in the center of the glade, rolling up the sleeves of her travel robe. "We'll cook. Rice and steam-fried greens. Rhea packed those herbs I like."
Cerys sat nearby, pulling a whetstone from her saddlebag. She drew her blade slowly, checking for nicks, her posture silent but focused. She didn't look up as Vyrelda approached and casually dropped a pile of washed carrots near her.
"Elowen wants vegetables chopped."
Cerys blinked at the carrots, then at her sword, and then—very slowly—at Vyrelda.
Vyrelda just shrugged. "It's the only knife you brought."
"I use this to kill monsters."
"And today, carrots." Vyrelda turned without waiting for a reply.
Mikhailis whistled low. "If I die, I hope it's from the carrot blade."
