Chapter 335: Words Sharper Than Blades
Joren's stomach chose that exact moment to betray him.
The sound was loud. Offensively loud.
The others froze for half a second before bursting into laughter.
Joren flushed instantly. "I have been training for hours," he protested weakly. "My stomach has rights."
Dren wiped tears from his eyes, still laughing. "If we don't get to the dining hall soon, Joren's stomach is going to swallow us whole."
"That thing is feral," Cat added solemnly.
"Untamed," Laia agreed.
Joren groaned. "I hate all of you."
Sophia offered Joren a hand up. "Come on, mighty beast. Let's feed you before you start hunting squirrels."
"That's not funny," Joren muttered, but he took her hand anyway.
They moved as a group toward the dining hall, laughter trailing behind them, shoulders bumping, insults tossed lightly back and forth. The weight that had settled over them earlier had eased. It was not gone, but it was lighter, manageable.
