Chapter 3

Chapter 3
Fiery Fodder

The stall for the horses near Madeline’s house was nearly too small for them altogether, but some oats and a few soothing words would always put the two animals in a sound mood. After making sure they would be set for the night Madeline started walking to the house.
After stepping inside she sighed. She indeed was in time for supper, one prepared by her brother, who only knew how to cook two things, pork and chicken. Both meats were either covered with enough prickle-spice to numb the tongue for an hour, or dry as a bone. Tonight it was pork. And by the tangy scent that was being given off by the plates of food on the table, it was a prickle-spice night.
“Your culinary feats will be the end of me, Halen!” She said to her brother, who was shot his tongue out at her.
“I wasn’t thrilled about having to cook either, but at least I didn’t take enough time in town to shoe ten horses! Really, what took you so long Madi?” Having finished getting everything ready to eat, Halen sat down to wait for their father to come home.
“Father asked me to do other things than that, you goblin!” Madeline used the nickname almost every time the two argued. “I had Mr. Deloray set aside a spare harness for the wagon and every person in town had to stop me to say goodbye!” She plumped down in a chair across from him and stared at him. “And what have you been doing today, besides turning meat into wood?” He turned away feigning to have his feelings hurt. “I have been doing quite a many good things, thank you. And I like the way my food tastes! It’s very… constant!”
Madeline managed not to roll her eyes, but did set off to get another pitcher of water. She certainly would need it.
The stream that the village thrived off of wasn’t very wide, but it had never faltered, at least not in Madeline’s life. Water flowing from the faraway Green Mountains on the horizon rushed by not a hundred yards from their home. Swinging her pitcher back and forth grumbling incoherently she reached the riverbank and stopped. Looking up at the sky, she could just barely see the first stars begin to appear. She took a deep breath, enjoying the pleasant air. Tomorrow we’ll be off for the city. I will miss this place. It’s always so peaceful here. Stooping down to get water she looked at her face in the reflection. Aghast she quickly wiped away a smudge under her left ear she had not seen before. How clumsy-minded of me. I was probably walking around all day with that dirt on me! Carefully inspecting now, she caught a flash of purple in her hair. Ogling at the color she pulled the ribbons from her hair. They were all a light blue. Holding the strips over the water they reflected a light blue, true as a mirror. Halen has me so worked up I can’t even see straight!
Stuffing the ribbons in one of her dress’s hidden pockets she started back to the house. Seeing her father just walking into the door, she rushed back, trying her hardest not to spill in the process.
“Father, I bought the things you wanted from town, and Gram and Sheila both are shoed. Mr. Filman offered to give us anything else we might need.” Madeline said putting the pitcher next to her cup.
“Thank you, dear. But I think we have everything ready for the ride, assuming that Halen was productive today?” Marcus said while looking at his son.
“Yes, Father.” Halen replied sitting at the table.
The rest of the family sat down and began their meal. Madeline still found it incomprehensible that men could eat such wicked foods. At least in the city I can eat whatever I want, she thought to herself draining her cup yet again.
They finished eating and prepared for bed early so that they could have plenty of rest. Hugging her father Madeline settled down for bed in her small room. With everything packed in the wagon it seemed twice as large though. And very empty. She frowned to herself, but eventually fell asleep.