The Wooden Gryphon Inn soon came into view – a modest yet homey establishment with a carved sign depicting a rearing gryphon above its door. Cain and Calanthe stepped inside to find Callum already holding court at a corner table. He had a tankard of ale (half-finished) and was animatedly chatting with a pair of off-duty city guards about some outrageous adventure – likely embellished – that had the men roaring with laughter.
Upon spotting Cain and Calanthe, Callum excused himself from the guards and bounded over. "There you two are! I was beginning to think you'd taken a detour to the next kingdom.
" He flashed a teasing grin, but it softened when he noticed the slightly red rims of his sister's eyes and the calm contentment on Cain's face. Callum immediately sensed that something significant had happened between them.
"Everything alright?" he asked, looking back and forth.
Calanthe reached up and playfully mussed her twin's red hair a rare gesture of open affection from her. "Yes, brother. Everything's fine." She gave Cain a knowing glance. "Better than fine, actually."
Cain offered Callum a smile and clapped the young man on the shoulder. "I was just telling Calanthe that we've settled on our next destination. It's time you were in the loop too."
Callum's eyes lit up with curiosity. He grabbed his ale and took a swig. "Do tell."
Cain lowered his voice slightly, even though the inn's other patrons were occupied with their own meals and conversations. "We're heading to Dol Blathanna, in Aedirn. The Valley of the Flowers."
Callum blinked in surprise. He knew of Dol Blathanna by reputation – mostly that it was an elf haven of sorts. "That's… unexpected. What's in Dol Blathanna?"
"Opportunities," Calanthe chimed in. "Elves who could use our help. A place where we can make a real difference."
Cain added, "Ysolde has arranged for us to travel with a caravan going that way. We'll act as guards and couriers. It'll earn us some goodwill with the elves."
Callum mulled that over and then gave a crooked grin. "We're going to make friends with elves? Mother will be thrilled. She's always said humans and elves ought to cooperate more." He lifted his tankard in a mock toast. "To elven allies and new adventures, then."
Cain chuckled and lifted the cup a barmaid had just placed before him. "Hear, hear." He clinked it against Callum's tankard and Calanthe's cup. The trio shared a smile. For the first time since they'd set out together, Cain felt a true sense of unity among them.
That evening, Cain decided to do something special to cement this new start. After sending the twins off on a brief errand ( Callum, pick up some salt and herbs from the market, would you?"), he sweet-talked the innkeeper into letting him use the kitchen hearth for an hour. A few coins and a compliment about the innkeeper's own stew got him access. Cain rolled up his sleeves, tied on a spare apron, and set to work cooking a proper thank-you dinner for his young companions.
He had procured three fine cuts of marbled beef from a butcher earlier in the day – originally intended as travel rations, but now repurposed for a feast. As a Witcher, Cain rarely indulged in culinary art; meals on the Path were usually simple roasted meat or hardtack and dried fruits. But he wasn't completely clueless. He recalled an old recipe from his past life for pan-seared steaks with herbs.
Cain lit the hearth fire and set a black iron skillet to heat. He crushed garlic and juniper berries, mixing them with butter and thyme into a fragrant paste. As the skillet began to smoke lightly, he laid the steaks on with a satisfying sizzle. The aroma of browning meat and spices soon filled the kitchen, making even the inn's cook peek over with approval.
With practiced timing, Cain basted the steaks in the herb-garlic butter, searing each side to a perfect dark-golden crust. On a second flame, he boiled potatoes and then mashed them with rich goat's milk and chives. He found some bright green beans in the larder and sautéed those quickly with pepper and a pinch of salt. Before long, three plates were artfully arranged: juicy herb-crusted steaks, a mound of creamy mashed potatoes, and crisp green beans.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Cain carried the plates out to the common room himself. Calanthe and Callum had just returned and were sitting at their corner table, faces flushed from the chill of the evening air. When they saw Cain emerge from the kitchen with the food, their eyes went wide.
"You cooked us dinner?" Callum exclaimed, not even surprised tasting Cain food before. He leaned in to inhale the savory steam rising from the plates. "By the gods, that smells divine!"
Calanthe was similarly taken aback. She smiled up at Cain as he set the plates down. "This is a surprise. I didn't know you could cook like this."
Cain chuckled, removing his apron and taking a seat with them. "I don't often get the chance. But consider this a thank-you and a apology. For all your hard work —and for putting up with me."
He looked at them both meaningfully, and though he didn't spell it out, they understood he also meant "for forgiving me."
They didn't need further encouragement. The twins dug in with gusto. Callum cut a big slice of steak and nearly melted upon tasting it. "Mmm! Cain, you missed your calling as a chef," he joked around a mouthful. "This is ridiculously good."
Calanthe closed her eyes as she savored a bite. The meat was tender and bursting with flavor from the herbs enjoying it with a cup of wine. "Truly, this is wonderful," she agreed.
They ate heartily. Cain found that watching them enjoy the meal warmed him more than the food itself. He hadn't realized how much he wanted to do something tangible to show his appreciation. Words were one thing, but this—providing sustenance and comfort—was its own kind of apology and bonding experience.
When the plates were nearly clean, Cain raised his mug of ale (he'd finally allowed himself one after cooking). "A toast," he said.
Callum grabbed his refill, and Calanthe her cup of spiced wine the innkeeper had gifted to them. They held them aloft.
"To new beginnings," Cain said, looking at each of them in turn. "To friendship, family, and the road ahead. And to not burning the steaks," he added with a lopsided grin.
Calanthe laughed softly, clinking her cup to his. "To new beginnings."
Callum clanked his tankard enthusiastically. "And to Cain's culinary career, should monster hunting ever bore him!"
They all laughed at that, a warm, genuine laughter that lingered. For the first time since leaving Meressa's keep, Cain felt completely at ease with the twins. The unspoken worries and resentments had been washed away, leaving only camaraderie.