Madrigal nodded, understanding Sage's reasoning. Everyone picked up their own ways of drying meat when they needed to do it often. She had her ways, but it seemed that Sage had his too. She decided that he knew what he was doing. "Okay, we can do it your way. I had some things back where I was staying in town. Let's get these guys sorted," she gestured to the deer bodies, "and then I'll head off and collect my stuff. Some of it is valuable, and we could use it if ew need to trade along the way."

Madrigal helped Sage move the deer. She eyed the fire warily. "Do you know how to make a smoke-trapping structure?" She asked, and then regretted it. He probably did. She rolled her eyes at herself and started to back away. "Okay, I'll leave you to it. Just don't ruin the meat. I travel light, so I can bring it all myself. See you, Sagey," she said with a smirk, turning her back and disappearing into the dark woods.

She closed the distance between the cabin and her hiding spot in a matter of minutes, swiftly moving between the shadows. There were very few people milling around now that it was dark, and Madrigal was grateful. WHen she got to her little hole-in-the-wall living space, she gathered her things quickly. She had a bag, a nice one with lots of straps, that she had been carrying around with her for years. It was sturdy and could hold a fair amount of weight. They would need it for their journey. Once Madrigal had packed the few things she had, she took a moment to compose herself. This little spot was cozy and so comfortable. She would miss it and remember it always. A little squeak caught her attention and Madrigal looked around, spotting one of the mice that frequented her spot. It was small and brown and she'd made friends with it(as she did with the others) over the past months, enjoying the little company she could get. "So long mister mouse," she said in farewell.

Sitting comfortably in the silence, Madrigal meditated. Moments passed, and all that could be heard were the bats and the rats and other night birds. When she was ready to pick herself up, she gave the spot one last sweep of her eyes and disappeared.

When she got to the cabin, Madrigal went inside and gently dropped her bag to the floor. Then, she took her knives out, rummaged in her bag for her cleaning supplies, grabbed her blanket, and went outsde to sit by the fire and clean her blades. She didn't say anything as she sat down and proceeded to make her blades shine.

As she cleaned each blade, she layed it on the ground, the fire light making the metal glint. When she was done, she curled up beside the blades, and using her arm as a pillow, she fell asleep.

Lmao sorry I thought I already wrote a reply))

Madrigal woke the next morning with a start. She had been dreaming, but couldn't remember what of. She rolled onto her back, and then noticed the blanket covering her body. She looked over to Sage and smiled. It was early, dawn only having just broken, and there was a biting chill. She got up and draped the blanket over Sage before going into the cabin. She checked the meat, glad to see that he had indeed dried and hadn't cooked, and began rolling it in pieces of cloth she'd collected over her time in the city. She wondered what Sage had done with the skins. They'd be really good protection from snow and rain. She tied her cloak over her shoulders, and went back outside to collect her blades, some of which she strapped to her body, the rest she wrapped and put in her bag. She mentally prepped herself for the morning of potential chaos they would have, and went outside to wake Sage.

Ooo have fun!! Sorry, short one- I gotta go to the horses now))

Madrigal smiled when she saw that Sage was already awake. She returned the wave, laughing at the state of her friend. "Don't like mornings, eh?" She teased.

She shook her head. "Nah, I've already packed it all. I thought I'd contribute a little to the work, since you practically did it all yesterday. Come on, mister, we need to divise a plan get going if we are to set off before noon. The vendors will be setting up on an hour or so."