As if summoned by the smell of stupidity, Old Man Borin passed by the open window.
He looked at Rynar and groaned,
"Oh. The village avalanche got inside the house again."
Rynar dramatically clutched his chest.
"I AM NOT AN AVALANCHE!"
Borin shrugged.
"I don't know, lad… you fall a lot, you make noise, you destroy half the path on the way down. Sounds pretty avalanche-y to me."
Then he walked away.
"WHY DOES HE ALWAYS APPEAR WHEN I'M INJURED?!" Rynar yelled after him.
Kael answered calmly,
"You are always injured."
Rynar took a deep breath, stood tall, and declared:
"My friends… something dangerous has happened. I fell in love."
Kael instantly sat down.
"I need to hear this sitting."
Charlisa smiled softly.
"Tell us."
Rynar paced the cottage dramatically, nearly kicking over a bucket, then kicking it again because he forgot it was his fault.
"Last night, after sneaking peek at the Spirit Tree ritual, I… I took a walk."
Kael stared.
"You mean you tried to steal vegetables."
"That's ONE interpretation!" Rynar shouted.
"I prefer the phrase: 'I was appreciating agricultural artistry.'"
Charlisa covered her smile.
"What happened?"
Rynar placed a hand over his heart.
"I was admiring a row of carrots when suddenly—OUT OF THE DARKNESS—
a turnip flew directly at my skull."
Kael nodded.
"Sounds right."
Rynar pointed at him angrily.
"DON'T RUIN THIS FOR ME!"
He continued, using his hands to show the projectile's path.
"And then—then she stepped out of the shadows…"
Charlisa leaned in.
"Who?"
Rynar whispered reverently:
"Lila."
Charlisa's eyes widened.
"The farmer's daughter? The one who chased a bull with a rake last summer?"
"YES!" Rynar said proudly. "She marched toward me with murder in her eyes and vegetables in her fists. I knew instantly: this woman is special."
Kael rubbed his forehead.
"What did she say?"
Rynar imitated her with ridiculous accuracy:
"She said, 'If you're going to steal my carrots, at least pick the ones that aren't crooked, you fool!'"
Charlisa burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Kael smirked.
"She has excellent instincts."
Rynar gasped in offense.
"She insulted me… BEAUTIFULLY. I have never felt so alive."