hollandaise ...

[This is an ongoing chapter a week story that began with the first Words for Wednesday for 2025 on 1 January. I'm hoping to continue it through 31 December, the last Wednesday of the year. To start from the beginning, click here to be taken back to 1 January 2025, and then look for chapters to appear weekly between Tu-W-Th]

  "What do you know about tennis, Thal?"

  "Tennis?  I've never heard of it, Elder Elowin.  What is it?"

  "It was a word on a scrap of paper I found wrapped around a small bit of Turkish Delight.  Melon flavored I believe, down by the brook at the edge of the forest."

  "Turkish Delight?"

  "I think a type of sweets.  I was curious about something and thought I would see what was outside the forest.  Have you noticed a change in Kael since he returned?"

  "Yes.  He seems ... changed."

  "Indeed.  But that isn't why you came to see me, is it, Thal?"

  "No.  I heard something last night at the bonfire."

  "Mmm.  Yes.  I know."

  "You know?"

  "There isn't much that I don't know, Thal.  But it was something I suspected would happen sooner or later when you told me about the sigils.  

   Many generations ago, when I was still a young girl, the world was a much different place.  There were men, powerful men, who weren't satisfied with what they had and always wanted more.  They created wars and divided the countries.  Some even divided their own people into rights and wrongs.  They gave limited power to officers to act on their behalf, but they were just puppets, dancing on the steps of the government, pulled every which way by invisible strings.

   Eventually, the people realized that they were fools for believing in the lies of these men and came to the conclusion that the old ways were better and there was a great upheaval in the world."

  "What happened, Elder Elowin?  Is that what is going to happen again?"

  "It's too early to tell, but I suspect that we may be in the middle of a great change.  Now, can you reach that pan for me on the top shelf there?  I want to make some Hollandaise sauce to go with this fresh asparagus for supper."

This week's Words for Wednesday can be found here.