That evening as the two women returned to camp, a curious scent... a delicious scent was present on the gentle breeze.  Dismounting their horses, the duo beheld a wonderful sight, a makeshift table upon which a proverbial banquet, compared to the last week's dinners, had been set.  As the women stared at the feast before them, with gazes of bewilderment passing between them, Marren approached.

"Good evening ladies, welcome back.  Perfect timing, soup's ready.",  looking toward the still supply laden horses, Marren continued,  "Please, have a seat,relax... I'm sure you're tired and hungry from your trip.  I'll unload and take care of the animals."  Still confused, Petra was the first to speak, "what be all this, Marren?"  With a wry smile, Marren responded, "well, you see, after I finished the laundry and took that bath you suggested, a most miraculous thing happened.  A flock of ducks landed on the pond... well, I couldn't very well let such a gift from Heaven pass.  I got my sling and bagged the biggest, fattest drake in the lot."

As he began unloading the horses, Marren remarked, "no offense, but this doesn't seem like much of a load for a day's shopping."  Turning to the man, Cailin said, "we didn't want to over burden the horses, so we only brought back a little... the rest is still in town in a storeroom we rented from the livery.  After we break camp in the morning, we'll pick up the rest on our way through."  "Ah, good idea... any way, where was I?", Marren began to speak again, "oh yes, of course while roasted duck would be nice meal, I figured it needed a little bit more to go with it.  I rummaged around in the wagon and found some potatoes, cabbage and other things and threw them together for the rest of it.  Now dig in, I'll join you, if that's OK with you, when I've finished here."  Marren then sheepishly added, "uh, Petra... I used a small cup of the stout to make the soup, it really adds to the taste, please don't be mad."

With a look of mock anger, Petra replied, "hmmmm, ye did, did ye?" Then breaking into a grin, "well lad, if it tastes half as good as it smells, the sacrifice be well worth it and all be forgiven.  And yes, after all this hard work, ye be more than welcome to join us... right, Cailin?"  Looking down at her friend with resignation, Cailin sighed, "of course, you're welcome to join us."  "Very kind of you, both," Marren chuckled,  "now, I have work to do... and tell me, just what part of 'dig in' didn't you two understand?"

After unloading the supplies, storing them in the wagon and freeing the horses from their tack, Marren led them to the pond for water and to graze on the sweetgrass, then returned to camp.  Finding a small cask for a seat and some dinnerware in the wagon, he sat down opposite the women and began to eat.  After they had all eaten, Marren cleared the dishes, took them to the water, cleaned and dried them, returning to the wagon to put them away.  Petra motioned him back to the table where she held out a cup of stout, "here ye go, lad," she said, "least I could do fer ye as a 'thank ye' fer such a wonderful meal."  "I have to admit, Marren," Cailin said to the man, "that was quite a meal.  Petra never mentioned you could cook, too."  Looking at Cailin, and with a slight bow of the head, Marren responded, "thank you... was the least I could do to begin to make amends for my past behavior... toward both of you."  Marren graciously took the cup from Petra, then took a seat on the table between the two women, turning to the dwarf, he spoke, "you asked me last night why I was here, now seems like a good time as any to tell you."

"The morning you left," Marren began, " I was having breakfast at the tavern, when Karl came bursting in, headed straight to Taralyn and told her that you had left town with the redheaded stranger... giving him the smithy and stables.  He then dropped to his knees in front of her and asked her to marry him."  Petra slapped her knee, raised her tankard in a toast and burst out in laughter, "he did, did he?  Those two have been moonin' over each other fer years, 'bout time he found the stones to do somethin' 'bout it!"  Marren continued, "Taralyn was so overcome with joy, she went around the tavern, hugging and kissing everyone... even me."  Sputtering out the last sip of stout she had drank, Petra playfully remarked, "even you?  She must have been delirious with happiness."  Raising a brow at the interruption, but also with a chuckle, "yes... even me," Marren said, "to continue.  Well, the better of my curiosity gnawed at me... 'what would make Petra leave town and give away all her property?', I wondered.  So... I went around town the rest of the day and settled my debts, which reminds me, I still owe you twenty-five silver for the arrowheads you made me, and headed out the next morning before your trail got cold.  Any way, here I am!  Where are we heading, by the way?"  "That's a good question," Cailin chimed in, "where are we going?  You haven't even told me, yet."

Petra looked at her companions, "I'll tell ye both in the mornin', promise... meanwhile it's getting late and if we mean to break camp and head out, we'll need to start at first light.  Let's go get some rest.  Oh, and Marren, consider ye debt paid in full after that marvelous meal."  Rising from her seat, Petra started toward the tent, then over her shoulder said, "trust me, yer gonna love it..."

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