The Taste of Secrets
Episode 4
"Shall we continue?"
Frederick asks, lifting the boxes. The three soldiers take the lead, and Emma follows closely behind after passing through the grand gate of the fort.
Emma's heart feels like it's about to leap out of her chest. She's filled with excitement because, in over a year of being in that city, this is the first secure opportunity she's had to enter that protected place. Her anxiety is so great that she can't stop observing, looking at every detail her eyes can see.
The young woman carefully inspects the number of torches, even the windows, dark corners, barrels, and wooden crates. Nothing escapes her restless eyes as she follows the three soldiers ahead of her. She knows they are talking, but her concentration is fully focused on her surroundings.
She's aware that they are heading towards the military fort's mess hall. Despite having many corridors and various doors, the path they take is predominantly straight. A wide stone corridor illuminated by torches. There are some upper openings in the corridor that allow moonlight to enter, as well as the chilly night breeze.
As they progress through the fort's wide corridors, Emma and the soldiers pass through various functional areas, each with its own purpose. The corridors are constructed with solid stone, creating a sense of sturdiness and security.
Walking, the small group passes by a room where Emma notices a military supply storage, with armor hanging on the walls and shelves filled with weapons and equipment. The metallic shine of swords and spears reflects the torchlight. Even if just for a brief moment, she observes closely while maintaining her steady pace and controlling her breathing to calm her anxiety.
Further on, they pass through a common area where some soldiers are resting on wooden benches, playing cards and chatting. When the small group passes by, the soldiers signal for the others to follow them. The men in the room quickly get up and prepare to leave. For a moment, Emma approaches Frederick, who walks in front of her. However, she continues to observe the area attentively, counting the number of soldiers present and mentally plotting an escape route, should the need arise.
As they continue, the corridor opens up into a large inner courtyard where a fire crackles, and more soldiers gather around it, enjoying a brief respite and warming up. Upon spotting the group, the five soldiers near the fire take the lead and head towards a large double door, probably leading to the mess hall.
Upon entering the military fort's mess hall, she observes that the place is spacious and well-lit, with the glow of torches on the walls reflecting on three long, dark wooden tables extending across the hall. In the center of the mess hall, a large fireplace crackles, providing warmth and a cozy atmosphere. The walls are made of solid gray blocks, with some decorative tapestries bearing the emblem of a silver eagle, giving the place an air of military solidity and tradition. Shields and swords also adorn the walls.
The place quickly fills with hungry soldiers who have eagerly awaited the meal. Some of them wear only parts of their armor, indicating that they are at rest. Others are fully dressed with their shields by their sides. Their armor follows the same pattern Emma had previously observed, made of darkened iron. Another detail that catches Emma's attention is the presence of crossbows among the soldiers, indicating that the infantry is proficiently armed with this firearm.
The soldiers settle down, and Emma observes each one closely. Most seem to be no older than 30, though some stand out as veterans due to the scars on their faces and gray hair, suggesting they could be around 45 years old.
Frederick brings the boxes near the fireplace, where Emma gets ready to warm the meal. The other two soldiers join the group, while Frederick stays by his friend's side, helping her remove the large iron pot from the box. Other soldiers distribute small wooden plates and spoons to expedite the meal distribution.
In the midst of food preparation, one of the soldiers hastily leaves his plate and rushes into another room, disappearing from Emma's sight. He doesn't take long to return with a simple wooden lute. The young man appears to be around 17 years old and is not wearing armor on the upper part of his body. He has a completely shaved head and a warm smile. Upon his return, other soldiers start applauding him.
The boy sits at one of the tables and begins to tune the instrument, while some soldiers, amidst laughter, start teasing him for the out-of-tune sounds coming from the instrument. Emma can't help but smile.
Finally, the young man begins to play a beautiful melody, while the others soldiers stand up and form a line in front of Frederick, who positions the plates for Emma to pour a generous amount of soup. As the soldiers enjoy their meals and the music, Emma discreetly observes the surroundings. The lively conversation of the soldiers creates a warm and friendly atmosphere, and she begins to feel more at ease among them. Although no one has been hostile towards her, the young woman is aware that she is among people who might consider her an intruder and potentially cause her harm at any moment.
The men begin to savor Emma's soup, sighing with pleasure. One of them, in particular, is caught with tears in his eyes, saying he hasn't eaten something so delicious in weeks. This elicits laughter and friendly pats from his comrades. Even Frederick, after helping serve everyone else, is overcome with nostalgia when he tastes the soup. He can't even thank Emma for the meal, emitting only long sighs without being able to utter a word.
The delicious aroma permeates the environment, which also resonates with the soldiers' comments about the food and how tasty it is. Emma, swelling with pride, settles near the fire with a broad smile. However, her keen eyes continue to watch the surroundings, remaining completely alert. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, Emma detects disapproving glances from some soldiers, possibly indicating that not everyone agreed with her presence.
The young, shaven-headed musician seems unsure of what to do. He considers whether to continue playing to liven up the atmosphere or to set aside the lute to finally enjoy the feast before him. Before the young man makes a decision, another soldier gently touches his shoulder, requesting the lute. Emma looks at the man and notices something entirely strange. Despite having been at the location for a few minutes, she had already become familiar with the appearance of everyone, but that mysterious soldier remains an enigma.
Emma observes him as if for the first time, as though he had just arrived. The strange feeling lasts only a few brief seconds, leaving Emma with the impression that, by looking away, she would completely forget him. He doesn't stand out in height, dresses like the other soldiers, and his head is concealed under a helmet. When he takes the lute, he gazes at Emma as he occupies the young musician's seat at the table. Even with the helmet, she perceives that the man has a penetrating gaze and a bluish tint in his eyes that keeps her alert, even though she doesn't quite understand why.
The cheerful young soldier now enjoys the soup and bread with the joy of a child, humming with happiness. The other soldier, calmly seated at the table, makes some final adjustments to the instrument. While the other soldiers continue their conversations, laughter, and the handling of dishes.
Emma observes carefully and notices that his hand is not that of a young man. His fingers are robust, and his hand bears scars that reveal a life of manual labor. Upon completing the tuning of the instrument, the first three chords that emanate from the lute elicit absolute silence within seconds.
A heavy silence takes hold of the hall, in which only the torches' flickers and the fireplace's crackling can be distinguished. The man continues with the fingering, invoking a sad and harmonious melody. The young musician, a table companion, raises his finger as if he intends to say something but is interrupted by another soldier who touches his shoulder and covers his mouth, indicating that he should remain silent.
Emma's mind is now permeated with even greater uncertainties than before. She not only does not recognize that melody, but she also does not understand why the soldiers remain completely silent in the face of the mysterious music. With a deep and profound voice, the man begins to sing a slow and rhythmic ballad, the rhythm of which appears to synchronize with the gentle dance of the flames flickering in the hall, casting mysterious shadows on the floor.
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