By nightfall, the rain had eased into a fine mist that clung to every surface like silver dust. The village square glowed with the soft light of firepits, smoke curling up into the damp air. The scent of roasting meat drifted across the clearing, making stomachs growl in anticipation.
Children darted between the fires, their bare feet splashing through puddles, their laughter carrying above the crackle of flames. Women tended the spits, basting the meat with fragrant herbs and oils, the scent mingling with the rich aroma of rain-washed earth.
Kael sat near one of the larger fires, still in his damp hunting clothes, his hair sticking to his forehead. Charlisa knelt beside him, passing him a cup of warm broth. Her fingers brushed his as she handed it over, her eyes holding that quiet, searching look she always gave him after he came back from a hunt.
Across the circle, Rynar was already deep into telling the story of the boar—his voice booming, his hands sketching wide arcs in the air.
"…and just when it was about to gore him, Kael stands there, calm as you please, and—"
Kael rolled his eyes. "—and Rynar conveniently forgets that he nearly got trampled first."
The hunters erupted into laughter, the good-natured teasing washing away the tension of the day.
As the night deepened, the feast became more than a meal—it was a reminder of why they endured the hardships of the rainy season. Elders sat side by side with the youngest, passing bowls, sharing warmth. The danger of the hunt was now a shared story, woven into the fabric of the village's memory.
Charlisa leaned against Kael, her head resting lightly on his shoulder as the firelight flickered across their faces. "When you're out there, do you ever think about not coming back?" she murmured, just for him.
Kael's hand found hers, squeezing gently. "I think about coming back to you. That's what keeps me moving."
A distant rumble of thunder rolled over the horizon, but the villagers paid it no mind. For tonight, the world felt safe—full bellies, shared laughter, and the glow of the fire keeping the darkness at bay.