New Comrade (2)

But Lindarion wouldn't ask.

Not yet. Maybe not ever.

There were other things to worry about.

Like what waited beyond the trees.

Like how quiet the forest had been all morning.

Like the faint thrum that still echoed beneath his ribs.

[Affinities recovery in process]

The system didn't say anything else.

But his breath came easier.

—

The fire had burned down to a soft flicker.

Lindarion stayed beside it. His boots warmed slightly on the stone, but the cold was already starting to bleed back into the room. It didn't wait long. Not here.

Ardan hadn't moved. Still near the bench. Still silent.

Ren was quietly humming to herself now. Something off-key and wordless. It barely counted as a tune. Meren had given up arguing with his blanket and sat hunched over a pouch of dried roots like they might turn into breakfast if he stared long enough.