The evening celebration wound down slowly—bears drifting back to their dens, the fire burning low, excited chatter about tomorrow's departure fading into the quiet mountain night.
Alex sat in their borrowed den, watching Naga and Leo pack with military precision while Granite—now officially their traveling companion—organized his own supplies in the corner.
"I don't need much," Granite was saying, carefully folding a weathered cloak.
"Weapons, basic provisions, my ceremonial stones for emergencies. Everything else is just weight."
Leo approved. "We travel light and fast. Alex needs frequent rest stops now, but between those we cover good distance."
"The next territory is...?" Granite asked.
"We're not entirely sure yet," Alex admitted.
"We have four stones—Black, Golden, Silver Fang, and now Bronze. The remaining three are Water, Fire, and Air, according to the old legends. But we don't know which tribes hold them."
