*****
On the first of December, Val noticed that his pantry was in need of restocking; and so he decided that, the next day, he'd go to the village of Falderdeen to buy food and supplies. Adrien had offered to go with him and lend him a hand, but Val had refused. "You've been working so hard", he had said. "Tomorrow, your only duty is to rest as long as you'd like".