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It's been 6 months since the last chapter I've finally made a new chapter of my story. I'm really sorry that it took so long due to holidays, plus I've been playing Breath of the Wild for a long time. I'd probably will go on a full-month hiatus until August.

And now, for the long awaited...

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Chapter 14

Dover and his party, on their respective mounts, are on their way to Strontian. The path along is quiet and peaceful, with no one that could potentially attack them.

Gwynfair has never rode on a horse before, much less a large one, so she found it to be good alternative to her unicorn form. And thanks to Fionn, she feels much safer with him around, despite her being startled by the big horse snorting loudly on occasions. The three other men stuck close together on their respective mounts.

Grundal has been in his thoughts, then spoke up, “Y’know, Dover, I’ve been wonderin’ about what kinda culture you had. I know everyone’s different, so my curiosity in me would wanna know more ‘bout you.”

Dover responded back, “Well, I can’t say much about my culture as it’s somewhat complexed. But what I do know is that my father is Scottish and my mother is a person from a faraway land.”

The barbarian commented, “Uh-huh, an’ what kinda food is your favorite? Mine’s mostly meats, ‘specially venison ‘cause I’m a carnivore!”

“‘Venison’?” Dover replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Deer meat, obviously.”

Fionn, Callum and Gwynfair all expressed discomfort at that response.

“But why on Earth would anyone eat a harmless deer?” Callum asked, “I would absolutely never bring myself to eat meat carved from it, let alone a baby fawn!”

“What? I only carve meat from fully-grown bucks. Don’t get all salty with me, kid.” Grundal replied with a chuckle.

Dover thought about the favorite food question that Grundal asked, before finally replying after recollecting his memory, “There’s one favorite of mine that I had ever since I was a young man. It’s a recipe that my mother taught me. You make it with cooked rice and...”

“...An’?” Grundal goaded the Scotsman for a response.

“Slices of raw fish meat to top it off.” Dover answered.

“Wait, raw fish?” The barbarian asked before immediately recoiling in disgust at that concept, “Euuugh!! Who the hell in their right mind would eat raw meat?! That’s just gross, Dover! You’ll get sick from eatin’ it raw anyway!”

Dover silently chuckled before responding, “Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, Grundal, but that’s just how some people prefer their meals as people from different parts of the world are different from the ones here in Scotland. Also, you should be careful about what you say about other people’s cultures and interests, including their favorite food.”

Grundal turned his head at the others and whispered, “Just between you and me, foreigners are so weird these day.”

“I’ve heard that, Grundal,” Dover scolded like how a mother would do to a misbehaved child, “No more insults or complaints, understand?”

This prompted Grundal to stop complaining and stay silent.

Calem spoke up, “Can we just continue focusing on our destination? All this talk about food is making me hungry.”

Fionn, thanks to his increased height from being seating on his imposing mount, was first to spot the town, “Well, here it is, everyone: Strontian Village, at last!”

It was sunset when the party made their way to the village, where it was peaceful and no danger is happening. It has a library, an inn, a trading post, a blacksmith, and various shops (which sell goods such as food and clothes), as well as many houses here and there. Finally, the church can be seen at least 100 paces away from the village, but no one is attending it today.

As soon as everyone dismounted, Fionn magically dismissed his horse while the other three men bring their respective mount to the stable next to the inn.

“Finally,” Grundal blurted out as he stretched his arms, “I can hardly wait to get some mead an’ grub right now.”

Calem turned to Dover, “Dover, I’ll go check out the library to see what I can learn from the books.”

“I’ll go with you, Calem,” Gwynfair responded, “I wanted to know more about Scotland’s culture. Anyone else care to come along?”

“Nah, I don’t ‘ave time to read,” Grundal responded as he walked towards inn, “Besides, I can’t continue on this journey with you guys on an empty gut anyway.”

Calem heaved a sigh of relief, “Well this is good thing because Grundal is quite a loudmouthed person and he’ll probably get banned from the library for being so noisy.”

Dover nodded, “Indeed, he is. Now, let’s proceed.”

-

The four walked into the library with the door ringing its tiny bell. The two-story library is large, spacious, and beautiful, with opulent furniture and potted plants here and there (some of them all cozy by the fireplace), paintings adorning the walls, and bookshelf after bookshelf filled to the brim with various books. There’s even a coffee shop for those that wished to purchase coffee and baked goods such as bread or scones. All of this on both floors. Most importantly, it’s very quiet. Presumably because not many people occupy this place, save for one cloaked person seated in a wing chair by a table, reading a book.

“Amazing,” Calem whispered so as not to violate the library’s rules, “I never thought a library would be this extravagant.”

Gwynfair was also in awe of the library as well, “This is almost just like the library that the castle at Cydell. I really like it here.”

“Welcome, everyone,” a whispered voice suddenly chimed.

The four turned to see that the library’s owner, an old woman, next to them. She was surprisingly beautiful for her age, with long white-and-silver hair and a grandmotherly-looking gown. She was followed by a male black-and-white cat, who greeted the group with a meow.

“Oh, and I see the legendary Fionn mac Cumhaill came along you you lot, as well,” she continued as she adjusted her glasses while looking up at Fionn, “I’ve been reading fairytales about you, Fionn, and your heroic deeds in my younger days. And now I’ve finally got the chance to meet you in person.”

“Miracles do happen after all, ma’am,” Fionn responded.

The library owner chuckled softly, “They sure do, honey. Anyway, how can help you?”

Gwynfair responded, “We’re looking for one book about Scotland’s history and myths, and one about satanic cults, please.”

“Satanic cults?” The old woman replied, taken aback by what the princess just mentioned, “Hmm... this is a rather tricky subject that I normally wouldn’t touch, but if you insist, sweetie.”

She goes to retrieve the requested books for the group to read.

The group then spent few hours reading the books to learn about the history and myths of Scotland, as well as the Satanic cult, while they have some warm milk with baked goods. The cloaked stranger quietly looks on at them when he hears about the cult, then takes a bite out of his scone.

-

It’s now nightime as the group left the library to the local inn. As they enter, they see a few men in there having their meals and drinks. As soon as Grundal finished his tankard of mead, he lets out a short, loud belch before wiping his mouth with his glove-clad hand.

“That really hits the spot,” he muttered, “I gotta hand it to ya, gramps. That was the best mead I ever drank in my life!”

“You’re very welcome sir,” the middle-aged innkeeper replied, “And since this is your first visit here, I’ll be offering you and your lot a free room to sleep in, ‘specially since Fionn mac Cumhaill’s with you.”

The patrons were in awe that Fionn showed up before them.

Grundal turned to see Dover behind him, “Well, I see you guys are back from the library, eh Dover? Too bad you missed out all the best foods here.”

“It’s alright, Grundal,” Dover responded, “We just had bread and scones at the library while reading. Now it’s time to sleep for tonight.”

“C’mon, Dover! How about a little arm wrestle before bed?” Grundal blurted out.

“No thanks, I’ll pass,” Dover declined.

“Fair ‘nuff, old man. Fair ‘nuff.”

So the group went to the inn’s lodge for their free room and sleep.