The monks' reserve didn't last long. When warmly invited, no one would refuse a little comfort for the palate in such an oppressive place.
When Father Green returned, he was puzzled to find the camp in the midst of a morning tea break. A tablecloth had been spread over a coffin lid, several bags of biscuits were nearly empty, and the crunching filled the air.
The instigator even waved him over generously, inviting him to sit down and rest a while, and have something to eat.
"I thought you knew what kind of place this was."
"An outpost camp?" Kraft shook the biscuit bag, rattling out the last few pieces. He ate one and offered the rest to Green. "But it's safe for now, isn't it?"
"Heretics and things no one knows what they are are wandering around down there. I hope that isn't the reason you came all this way." The priest took a biscuit and bit into it.
It tasted pretty good. A little hard, perhaps, but the grainy aroma and sweetness were nicely balanced. Just right for someone who needed sugar after exertion.
"That's part of the reason, but mainly I wanted to go down and see for myself—and bring my student along."
"If I remember correctly, you told me she was the heir to your medical enterprise." Green glanced at the girl, who was staring blankly at a crack in the rock. As expected, the previous stretch hadn't frightened her. She was eagerly looking forward to the journey ahead.
"Ah, don't remind me. Don't remind me." Kraft let out a heartfelt sigh and began preparing to leave. "I hope she doesn't find this place interesting."
While waiting for Green to get ready, they shed any unnecessary weight and checked their belongings to make sure everything was