The morning moved quite quickly. The smell of roasting deer soon filled the air, mingling with the last of our precious rice. We ate in a strange, concentrated silence. It was like a quiet before the storm.
I watched the three of them; Fenric eating with enthusiasm, Damar with elegant precision, and Noah with a raw hunger that seemed to never be quite satisfied.
As the meal ended and the sun climbed higher, the chill in the air became more apparent. The sky was a crisp, biting blue, and the wind carried the scent of distant ice.
Winter... How tragic.
"Time to go," Fenric said, standing up and stretching his body to free his limbs. He looked at Damar, then at Noah, before his gaze settled on me. "We'll bring back the animals you need, Arinya. You just stay safe."
"I have Noah to guard me, and though not certified, I think he'll do for now." I teased, though I reached out and squeezed Fenric's hand.
