Kite groaned and rubbed his eyes, still disoriented from the sudden wake-up call. He looked over to see Liliana standing triumphantly with a bronze pot and spoon in her hands, a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
"Liliana, did you really have to use the pot and spoon?" Kite asked, his voice heavy with sleep.
Liliana shrugged, her grin widening. "Hey, it got you all up, didn't it? Mission accomplished!"
Ludo sat up, his hair sticking out in all directions. "Next time, try a gentle nudge or maybe calling our names. You know, something that doesn't involve giving us a heart attack."
Liliana feigned innocence. "But where's the fun in that? Besides, you said to always go with the most effective option when deciding stuff. And this is definitely the most effective."
Elian laughed, shaking his head. "Your cousin has a point, Ludo. She did manage to get us all up without much hassel."
Ludo rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah. Just... maybe save the bronze banging for emergencies, alright?"
Liliana saluted playfully. "Aye, aye, Captain!"
Kite couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange. Despite the jarring wake-up call, the lighthearted banter among his friends eased the tension from the previous day's journey.
Sylvana giggled. "Alright, let's get breakfast started. We can't head out on an empty stomach."
Liliana nodded and opened up her backpack.
Kite watched as the girl began pulling out the vegetables from her backpack. He couldn't help but be impressed. The assortment was a colorful display of fresh produce, each item looking surprisingly crisp and vibrant despite their journey through the cold mountains.
He wondered if she used her plant magic on them to keep them nice and crisp, or if she just knew how to store them well.
First, she pulled out a bunch of bright orange carrots. Their skins were smooth and unblemished, and they had a satisfying crunch when Liliana snapped one in half to taste. "These are perfect for a morning stew," she said with a satisfied nod.
Next came a cluster of deep green kale leaves, their edges slightly crinkled but otherwise fresh. Kite marveled at how she managed to keep them looking so lively. "How do you keep these so fresh, Liliana?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Liliana grinned, her eyes twinkling with a hint of pride. "A little bit of plant magic and a lot of careful packing. I make sure to wrap each veggie in a special cloth that helps retain moisture. It also helps that I can infuse a bit of life energy into them to keep them from wilting."
She then pulled out a few plump red tomatoes, their skins smooth and glistening. "These will add some nice flavor to the stew," she commented, placing them carefully on a makeshift cutting board.
Following the tomatoes were a couple of bell peppers, one red and one yellow. She sliced them open, revealing their crisp and juicy interiors. "Bell peppers are great for adding a bit of sweetness and crunch," she explained as she continued to prepare the vegetables.
Ludo, who had been watching with a mix of amusement and admiration, chimed in. "You know, Liliana, you could probably open a market stall with how fresh these veggies are. People would be lining up for miles."
Liliana laughed, her cheeks tinged with a blush. "Maybe after our adventure, I'll consider it. For now, let's just enjoy the benefits of having fresh food on the road."
Elian, who had been setting up the cooking pot over the fire, nodded in agreement. "Fresh veggies make all the difference. This stew is going to be amazing."
Liliana continued to pull out more ingredients, including a few potatoes, an onion, and some garlic cloves. Each item looked as though it had just been picked from a garden, a testament to her skill and care.
Sylvana watched with appreciation as the vegetables were added to the pot, the aroma of the cooking stew soon filling the air. "This smells wonderful, Liliana. Thank you."
Liliana smiled warmly, stirring the pot with a wooden spoon. "It's my pleasure. Cooking for friends is one of my favorite things to do."
As the stew simmered, the group gathered around the fire, enjoying the warmth and the comforting scent of the meal being prepared. The lighthearted banter and the camaraderie among them were a welcome reprieve from the challenges they had faced.
Kite felt a sense of contentment as he sat beside Sylvana, their shoulders brushing. He looked around at his friends, grateful for their presence and the strength they brought to their journey.
"Breakfast is ready!" Liliana announced, ladling the hearty stew into bowls and passing them around.
They all dug in, the delicious flavors of the fresh vegetables and the warmth of the stew providing a much-needed boost of energy. The meal was simple, but it was made special by the care and effort Liliana had put into it.
As they finished eating and cleaned up, Liliana stood up, her expression determined. "Alright, everyone. Let's pack up and get moving. We've gotta keep our adventure going!"
Ludo sighed, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Liliana, for someone so laid back, you sure are eager to get us moving."
Liliana laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, someone has to keep the momentum going! Besides, the sooner we get moving, the sooner we get to the next part of our adventure."
Elian chuckled as he rolled up his bedroll. "She's got a point. We've got a lot of ground to cover, and who knows what we'll encounter next?"
Kite nodded in agreement, feeling the excitement of the journey bubbling up within him. "Alright, let's get packed up and head out."
His eyes widened as he thought he saw something big and blue flying through the sky. What was that?
"You okay, Kite?" Elian asked.
He rubbed his eyes. "I think I saw something like a bird or a dragon flying through the sky."
"Uh, how do you confuse a bird for a dragon?" Liliana asked, scratching her head.
Kite rubbed his eyes again, trying to shake off the lingering sleepiness. "I know it sounds weird, but it was big and blue, and it was flying really high. I couldn't get a good look at it."
Elian raised an eyebrow, glancing at the sky. "Big and blue, huh? Could be a trick of the light or maybe just a large bird. But if it was a dragon, that's something we should definitely keep an eye out for."
Liliana looked intrigued, her curiosity piqued. "A dragon would be amazing to see! But also kind of terrifying. Are you sure you weren't just seeing things, Kite?"
Kite shrugged, still unsure himself. "It could be nothing, but it just seemed... unusual. Let's keep our eyes peeled, just in case."
Sylvana, who had been listening quietly, stepped closer to Kite, her expression serious. "If it was a dragon, we need to be cautious. We're already in dangerous territory with those ice walls. We can't afford to let our guard down."
Ludo nodded in agreement. "Sylvana's right. Whether it's a dragon or something else, we need to stay alert. Let's get moving and keep an eye on the sky."
Kite nodded. He eyed the sky one more time as he put his stuff away while Sylvana summoned their mounts again. What if that was a dragon? Would flying be safe?