Geeks, you think as you remain hunkered down. But there's something off about this group of roleplayers. The armor is too good. No modern person whould endure the heat that must be radiating in that woman's armor, not when there are cooler alternatives. These are geeks who take their renactments seriously and you don't want to know what they do with random, ill-dressed strangers hiding the weeds at the roads side.

"Come out," she yells again. You hold your breath instead, and remain perfectly still. She turns back to the troll and grumbles something to him in the same strange tongue he spoke to her before. The words sound harsh and insulting and his head dips as she urges her horse on. You remain still as the cart passes, until the figures have disappered in the dust and haze at the edge of the road. Alone on the road once again you follow, placing one aching foot in front of the other.

The sun is gone now. You can't feel your feet and your mouth is parched and dry. Your stomach is considering self consumption as a viable option. Ahead of you is nothign but more road with no lights or signs of civilization. The chance of finding fast food in the next several hours is nil and, you realize, you don't have your wallet anyway. It's long past time to get off this road and back into the forest where you can find some food, water, and a place to sleep. In defeat you step back into grabby undergrowth and strain your eyes for soemthing that might be edible. You have to walk further than you planned but eventually you come upon a little spring. A rabbit hops away as you collapse in damp earth and slurp up the water the best you can.

You mouth no longer feels like the sahara dessert but your stomach still sustance. There are all sorts of things that have made this damp oasis on the forest floor home. There are some mushrooms growing on a rotting tree limb and protein packed bugs underneath. A bush nearby has branches drooping with bunches of dark berries. Which of these items would you like to fill you belly?

Berries.

Mushrooms.

Insects.