[Envinyatar]

The day advanced toward a warm midday. Anyopâ and Derufin had removed their tunics as they worked with the splitting mauls. Cook had come to fetch Benat earlier to see the Mayor, leaving the two men to work their way through the large log pile.

‘Ah! You’re a sweet sight for a thirsty man!’ Derufin grinned at the approaching figure of his wife. He wiped his face and hands on his tunic and took the flagon of cold, sweet cider from her hands along with the cups. Her arm came up toward him as she lightly thrust against him with her splayed hand. His intended hug fended off successfully, she turned her cheek up toward him for a kiss.

‘A wash-up first, I think, before you have me smelling like a woodsman, sir!’ Zimzi laughed as she stepped back. Handing one of the cups to Anyopâ, she took the flagon and poured each a cup and then another. On her arm was a small basket, filled with thick cheese and ham sandwiches and some cookies from the Inn kitchen. ‘These should hold you over for a while, don’t you think?’ she asked as the two crowded about the basket, dipping their hands in for the sandwiches. ‘Cook will send Meri over in a bit with the big wagon. We’re to keep as much wood as we think we’ll need, she said. And the rest pile in the woodshed.’

Derufin nodded his head and mumbled something through his mouthful of food. Zimzi took his cheesy mumble as an agreement. Bidding Anyopâ a farewell for the moment, she left, telling them she would leave some towels out for them on kitchen table. And could they meet her later at the Inn for supper, she was taking the cart to The Water to dig some clay. Tomorrow she said she would make some pots and use some of their sweat hewn wood to fire them. Derufin waved his sandwich at her as she turned to go and nodded his head, yes.