Snow sat at the table, once more feeling knocked off balance by the unusual spread before her. The spread of cured meats and wine that she was expecting, was once more missing without any explanation. Instead, a shocking variety of fresh vegetables covered the table, chopped into bite sized pieces. Snow had been under the impression that there were only a few kinds of vegetables. Carrots, onions, cabbage, she thought there were probably a few more too, but was not prepared for the sheer variety present.
Bowls and Bowls overflowing with little treelike plants, bright red grape shaped things, at least three different varieties of leafy green stuff, mushrooms, purple roots, several varieties on long thin and green or yellow, and knobbly things that could have passed for red or yellow apples uncut – but cut looked like C's. There were even several different kinds of nuts. It was a staggering array of vegetables, and though there was more of the same dense bread served at breakfast, she was unsure how she was to eat it.
She copied Navormal as he made a large pile of the different vegetables on his plate, and then poured a thick creamy looking sauce over them. She did the same – and took a bite. She had no idea what was in that sauce – but it was incredible. She could barely even taste the vegetables underneath the incredible creamy flavor. She so enjoyed it so that she nearly forgot to eat some bread!
Once again, all present finished at the same moment, and once again a simple contentment wrapped around Snow. Once again, the moment passed.
In moments, her hosts had stood and left, so quickly Snow wondered if they had simply melted into the walls. Could anyone move that fast? A moment later, she realized that Grenarin had left too. She quickly stood to go join him again – assuming he had gone back to the garden.
However, upon reaching the spring they had sat beside for much of the morning, she found it deserted. Snow thought for a second.
Grenarin wanted to discover her abilities. He had purposefully left her alone. Perhaps he was trying to see if she could find him? It seemed worth a shot – and even if it wasn't what Grenarin wanted, it might tell her something too.
Snow closed her eyes and focused. She held her breath and listened. She could hear the spring bubbling behind her. She could hear bees buzzing off in the flowers. She listened harder – straining for something more. Suddenly, Snow heard a deep boom. It was so loud in the silence that Snow jumped in surprise – her eyes flying open.
It took a moment for her to realize that it was not loud after all, she had merely been listening too hard. For now that she was not so focused, she could still hear the sound, though now it was barely audible. As she purposely ignored it, the sound faded into silence. Unsure what she could be hearing, she began walking toward it.
She noted its steady rhythmic quality, how it beat twice before resting for a moment. As she approached, she also noticed quiet music, as if someone were humming. The sound was growing louder, and she turned another corner of the path only to see Blidarmd, kneeling over a bed of herbs.