The soup finished cooking just as the snow outside started to fall more heavily.
Cael poured it into bowls carefully, making sure there was enough for everyone in the cave. Ryker, Kelly, and Neve. He also made extra because Gideon might come by later, and there was always someone hungry during winter.
He brought the bowls out to the main area of the cave where they were waiting.
Neve took the first bowl and blew on it to cool it down slightly before tasting it. Ryker took the second. Kelly took the third.
They all ate in silence for a few moments.
Then Kelly made a face.
"This is good," he said slowly, "but the one at the festival tasted better."
"Yes," Ryker agreed, nodding. "The festival soup was different. Better seasoning, maybe."
Cael's expression darkened immediately.
"If you think it's so much better," he said flatly, "then you cook it next time. Cook it and see if you can make it taste exactly like Neve's version."
"But I can't cook," Kelly said.
