"After The Forest" Readalong Day 2

As a reminder, from now on, our monthly discussions will be both here on the OwlCrate blog AND on The Nest! Go check out Amber's discussion that will be full of fun extras!
 

On each day we'll read a section of After The Forest   on the blog and in The Nest's discussion group. You can find a book club style discussion on The Nest app, and an insider's view to curation and my thoughts on our book here on the blog. 
 

Just a reminder that this post will be a SPOILER FILLED recap  for chapters 5-8 of After The Forest, so make sure you read or are finished this section before continuing.
 

Greta is finishing up her baking when she sees someone outside. It's a soldier and she bonks him on the head before realizing that he's her old friend Jacob, who went to wear five years ago. 

He invites himself inside and shares dinner with her. They talk a bit about the war but he admits that it disturbs him to do so. 

Their dinner is interrupted by a knock at the door. It's the man from the falls. He introduces himself as Mathias and they invite him in to eat with them. 

While they break bread, Jacob prods at Mathias getting to know him, and Mathias prods back at Jacob's soldiering. Jacob breaks down about the horrific things that soldiers did to the people of Prague and Mathias is kind enough to remind him that peace will come again. 

Mathias eventually takes his leave after tasting some of Greta's gingerbread. She shows him outside where they hear the howl of wolves. She's frightened and Mathias reassures her that fear is nothing to be ashamed of. 

Greta tells him that her mother was killed by wolves and then Mathias his leave. 

When she goes back inside the cottage, Jacob teases her mercilessly about her fancying Mathias. 

Then, he spots the book. 

Jacob begs Greta to burn the recipe book and even throws it into the fire. 

Instead of burning, it bites him and Greta fishes it out of the fire, burning her own fingers instead. 

It's at that moment that Hans returns from drinking and pours himself and Jacob a drink. Jacob argues with him, angry that Hans has let her keep the book. They argue too over Hans's jealousy and Jacob's new status. Jacob stays the night and in the morning helps Greta take her gingerbread to the market. While on the road they notice a woman on horseback trampling the wheat fields and Greta is unsettled when she's stared at by the baroness, Elisabeth.