490 Bonding Over a Meal

The smell of spiced meats filled the air as Kyera sat down and began packing banana leaves with meat from the panther and mixing in herbs she found by the camp. The packages were her signature dish, and as she stuffed them, Cora placed them on the fire. Flames kissed the leaves, blackening them as the meat within began to steam.

Lalia wandered over to her sister in law, watching as she expertly folded the little packages and settled them on the fire for Cora to tend. It was a slow, calm motion that seemed very practiced. The pretty Princess sitting behind the meat and leaves flashed a pretty smile up at her.

"Yes, Princess Lalia?" Kyera asked expectantly, Lalia smiled and sat down on the ground beside Kyera.

"My nose led me to good food, can I help for a taste of the spoils?" Lalia asked hopefully, she had already eaten with the other Princess's but the fruits and berries they had found today didn't really fill her up. The other two girls had been too invested in keeping all the meet for the challenge that no one prepared meat that night. Kyera smiled.

"Yes, I would like that actually. This is best done with more rather than less." Kyera replied handing her a leaf and moving so things were accessible. "Do you know the method? I would assume you would."

"Yes, my grandmother loved making them. She called them True Food." Lalia replied as she sat down and began folding the leaf into a different shape, but the same use as Kyera. She held it up for Kyera to look at and the white haired woman took it, looked it over then handed it to Cora.

"Beautiful. I haven't seen that fold before." Kyera commented and that sparked a bit of chatter between them as she showed Kyera her grandmother's secret method. Then Kyera taught her her own method, unaware they were being watched.

Feya and Melania stood quietly by their own fire, watching the two girls as they chattered and laughed while working on their dinner. Feya scoffed loudly shaking her head in disbelief as she watched them. "How dare they use the meat they caught for the hunt for food tonight. No respect for tradition." Feya growled completely outraged. However, Melania shrugged.

"The panther wasn't a hunt, it hunted Kyera. If she wishes to dine on the creature rather than have its flesh go to waste, then so be it. Also, it was tradition for the princesses to take time to bond here in this camp rather than build walls and misunderstandings. Perhaps, those two understand the reason for this camp more than we do." Melania stood up, her arms folded over her chest. Her eyes showed some sort of thought deep within her. She considered it for a few moments, but then nodded decisively.

"I was wondering if you have room for one more? I have hardly got to know either of you and we are all family. Am I welcome?" Melania asked motioning to the spot beside Kyera. Cora and Lazren both looked up to scan the woman instantly. It was clear they both felt unsure, but both chose to trust Kyera's judgement.

"Yes, the more the merrier. You simply must try a meat pie." Kyera smiled and took a fully cooked package and handed it to her. Melania took it from her and smiled rather surprised that she was welcomed so easily. She laid her shawl on the ground and then sat on it, cross legged next to Kyera so she wasn't in the way of her work station. She took a bite of the banana leaf parcell and couldn't help but gasp.