willow bark, dandelion and wintergreen tea. She knew herbal remedies for just about everything, it seemed. Once she was feeling chipper again, nibbling on her porridge and pastry, she resumed her book-reading at the table. She was never taught that this behavior was rude in more well-up-brought areas. In fact, she often found it quite impossible to just sit and eat breakfast without reading something. I'm sure some of you can sympathize with this habit.
Fred was in a foul mood, as I have mentioned, and that is possibly why he reacted the way he did. He picked up his porridge bowl with his teeth and dropped it on the table next to Saure with a loud ceramic clank. The girl jumped a bit, as she was still a bit sensitive to noise, and looked up to meet Fred's nonplussed glare.
"We shan't tarry much longer here. Get your nose out of that tome and gather your things."
"Fred, honestly… let me finish my breakfast, at the very least…"
"Saure, honestly, you don't want to be on the road when night falls that close to a large city. Harriers tend to dwell in the outskirts..."
"Fred, dearest feline friend, I think I can manage."
Fred glared at her, then flicked his tail and turned, sauntering to the door. "That remains to be seen, then. Take your bloody time. I'll be in the cart."
Saure "hmmf"ed in his general direction and returned to her tome.
They left that day a few minutes past noon, and Fred kept a wary eye out. Saure never paused in her studies… till twilight drew upon them.
