After Sian's quiet yet decisive acceptance of young Xiao Zhu into their group, the tension coiled in the boy's shoulders finally loosened. Freed from the constant threat of suspicion, he now sat at the far side of the fire, head lowered, his hands clasped tightly as if afraid that speaking too much might undo this fragile new trust.
Now, everyone was gathered in groups around the campfires, taking a short rest and eating a few snacks they had picked up along the road before climbing the mountain.
Although it was referred to as a "mountain," the landscape before me lacked the towering majesty typically associated with such grand formations. Instead, its gentle slopes rolled softly, almost like a giant's back rising from the earth, with patches of wildflowers dotting the lower levels and hints of green meadows stretching up towards the ridges.
