Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece-Chapter 70: Venison Stew and Stolen Smiles

Aurelia’s boots clicked against the polished marble floors as she marched through the academy’s empty corridors.

The afternoon sun still streamed through the tall windows. Casting long golden rectangles across the stone.

It was too early to be heading home. She usually stayed until well after dark, but today was different.

’That idiot better be where I left him.’

She turned the corner sharply and nearly walked right into someone.

"Well, well," came a familiar, teasing voice.

"If it isn’t the great Gale Witch, sneaking out before sunset like a first-year skipping remedial magic."

Aurelia didn’t need to look up to know that smirk. "Move, Seraphina."

Seraphina leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, her long pink braid draped over one shoulder.

She made no move to get out of the way.

"Now why would our esteemed instructor be in such a hurry?" Seraphina tapped her chin mockingly.

"Could it be... little brother troubles?"

Aurelia’s jaw tightened. "None of your business."

The smirk faded from Seraphina’s face.

She pushed off the wall, her pink eyes suddenly serious. "Is Kyle okay?"

The shift in tone made Aurelia pause.

Seraphina was usually all jokes and jabs, this quiet concern was unusual.

"He’s fine," Aurelia muttered, looking away.

"Just... under the weather."

Seraphina studied her for a long moment before sighing.

"You know, I haven’t seen him since the academy started. Not properly, anyway."

"And?" Aurelia crossed her arms.

"And," Seraphina said, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes.

"I was just thinking about making that spicy venison stew he loves. Remember how he would beg for it when he was knee-high?"

Aurelia blinked.

That was... unexpected.

Before she could respond, Seraphina was already walking past her down the hall.

"Might as well check on him myself if you are going to be all mysterious about it."

Aurelia groaned but fell into step beside her oldest friend.

"You are impossible."

"And yet you put up with me," Seraphina sing-songed, bumping their shoulders together.

"Admit it, Aurelia. You missed this."

Aurelia rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

***

The door creaked open, revealing Kyle frozen mid-step like a kid caught sneaking sweets before dinner.

His arms cradled a carefully wrapped package that filled the doorway with the rich, peppery scent of spiced dragonfish, Aurelia’s favorite.

His mismatched eyes, one black, the other deep electric blue, darted between Aurelia’s stern face and Seraphina’s knowing smirk.

"Well, well," Seraphina drawled, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

"If it isn’t our runaway chef, returning with peace offerings."

Kyle’s shoulders slumped in instant recognition of trouble.

"Oh no."

Aurelia didn’t move from where she stood, arms crossed.

"Where did you go?"

Kyle’s fingers tightened around the fish.

He could feel the grease from the wrapping seeping through the paper.

"I...thought you would still be angry. About me disappearing since Friday." He lifted the package slightly.

"So I went to get dragonfish. The spicy kind you like from the market by the docks."

As he spoke, flashes of memory surfaced.

He got some of Kyle’s past memories after the sword trail.

Seraphina ruffling his hair when he was small. Slipping him honey cakes when Aurelia wasn’t looking.

He remembered her and Aurelia arguing over magic theory late into the night, during there academy days.

Their rivalry turning to friendship somewhere along the way.

But the memories stopped abruptly at age twelve, like a book missing its last Chapters.

Aurelia studied him, really studied him.

The dark circles under his eyes had lightened. His hands weren’t shaking anymore.

The haunted look from yesterday had faded a little, replaced by something more familiar.

The stubborn determination she had grown up with.

Seraphina clapped her hands together, the sound sharp in the quiet room.

"Perfect! We’ll make both, your dragonfish for Aurelia, and Kyle’s favorite spicy venison stew." She grinned at Kyle.

"Remember how you’d hover by the pot like a starving puppy when I made it?"

Kyle groaned, but a reluctant smile tugged at his lips.

"I was twelve."

"And had the appetite of a starving direwolf," Seraphina shot back, already pushing past them into the kitchen.

"Come on, help me. At least one of you Valemonts can cook."

Aurelia scowled but didn’t argue.

Her last attempt at cooking had ended with a small fire.

The kitchen soon filled with the sounds and smells of cooking.

Kyle moved with surprising confidence...

Dicing onions with quick, even strokes, his knife flashing in the afternoon light streaming through the window.

Seraphina hummed an old marching tune as she browned the venison, occasionally reaching over to adjust Kyle’s seasoning with a critical eye.

"More paprika," she said, nudging his elbow.

Kyle rolled his eyes but added another pinch. "It’s already spicy enough."

"For a child, maybe" Seraphina sniffed.

Aurelia lingered in the doorway, watching the easy rhythm between them.

Kyle’s movements were practiced, natural—this wasn’t new for him.

As the dragonfish sizzled in its pan and the stew bubbled on the stove.

The air grew thick with mouthwatering aromas, garlic and chili, rich meat and searing spices.

Kyle’s fish developed a perfect golden crust.

While Seraphina’s stew darkened to a deep, savory brown.

When they finally sat down to eat. The table groaned under the weight of food.

Kyle’s dragonfish flaked apart at the touch of a fork. The spices balanced perfectly between heat and flavor.

Seraphina’s stew was richer, the venison tender enough to melt on the tongue, with just enough kick to make Kyle’s eyes water after the first bite.

"Still too spicy?" Seraphina teased as Kyle gulped down his water.

"Still perfect" Kyle shot back, reaching for another serving despite the tears in his eyes.

Aurelia watched as her brother laughed at something Seraphina said.

The sound easy and unforced.

The shadows that had clung to him since yesterday were better than before, at least for now.

The tension in his shoulders had eased.

Replaced by a warmth she hadn’t realized was missing until it returned.

As the meal wound down and the conversation turned to lighter things.

Academy gossip, Seraphina’s latest batch of troublesome students.

Aurelia allowed herself a small, private sigh of relief.

As the smell of spices lingering in the air and her brother smiling a little across the table.

It was enough, for now.

***