[The Norkari Mtns.] The Abandoned Temple

Jayce was in the middle of chopping up potatoes, carrots, and onions for the stew. He already had the beef browning in a pot and as the two entered he dumped the vegetables in. Covering them with water and broth he then added a selection herbs. Rosemary, salt, pepper, thyme, and basil. The bread was already cooking in the small over next to the fire. The invitation is met with a curious glance. He looks between the two and then says in perfect deadpan.

"I suppose I should come on this outing given what happened on your last. Besides I am the only one that knows how to cook."

"I do not mind cooking Naenia, but if you wish to learn I will teach."

Jayce smiled and nodded at the boy as he forced himself to eat the cookie. The old knight knew how the boy was feeling. When his wife had died everything had tasted of ash. It had taken weeks before the hunger became to great and he had been forced to eat or die. After another few minutes the stew was finished and he set out three bowls. He only poured a single ladled into Aechon's and set one slice of bread next to it.

"Eat all of that little soldier and I will be satisfied."

"Are you choosing death little soldier?"

Jayce's eyes pierce into Aechon as the boy stops eating. The paladins eyes are stern, hard, and uncompromising. The boy had promised to try and had barely put in a token effort. Jayce was not one to let such things slide. For the paladin a word give should be a word kept. Aechon maybe a child, but sometimes you needed to be hard on children.

"You had an agreement with Naenia, if you do not uphold your end why should she uphold hers. Nothing improves if you give up Aechon. It may seem like an impossible task, but sometimes you must grit your teeth and force yourself to do it. Do not focus on how much you do not want to do it. Focus on each step, each bite, put aside all other thoughts. I know you are in the depths of sorrow, I know it all seems pointless. I have been where you are now child, so I tell you just focus on living your life one minute at a time. Do not dwell on the past or the future, only the next moment the next breath. If you cannot do this then you are choosing death. You are choosing to wither into nothing because you could not be bothered to try and live."

The paladins words are harsh, but not entirely unkind. He wants what is best for the boy and so far kindness was not working. Sometimes you must use a rod.