Emerald Meadows

As we passed through the gate into the village, I was greeted by a vast open field dotted with round huts crafted from slender bamboo strips, woven together like upside-down baskets. The buildings were scattered around a large pond, with fields of lush green grass, wheat, corn, and rice stretching into the distance. On one side, beastkin frolicked in the pond, while on the other, some villagers attempted to catch fish with spears. The deeper end, past some boulders, looked quite intimidating, and I realized this village was predominantly herbivorous, making nighttime excursions unlikely for them.

He brushed aside my protests and carried me all the way to the village, my body nestled in his mouth like a little cub. I clutched the hem of my shirt, tucking it securely under my chest with my arms crossed, determined to avoid any accidental exposure as we passed by the bustling crowd.