Senri watched as Selerim slid the charcoal stick across the pages of his sketchbook. He was quiet, but his frustration was plain to see. His eyes were slightly narrowed, and his lips were little more than a thin line. It was hard to blame him. Selerim had practically lived in anticipation of his Feast, but now…

She saw his frustration reach the tipping point as he pressed too hard, breaking the drawing tool. “Hey,” Senri murmured soothingly. “It’s okay. Corvus and Sita both said it would take some time for your body to adjust.” She shivered as Selerim looked at her. Determined to keep anything from showing on her face, Senri clamped down on her emotions and met his eyes with her own. His purple eyes. Once light blue, they’d since turned a pale violet. His pupil was slightly darker, and that shade radiated erratically into the lavender than surrounded it, as if someone had haphazardly added two different shades of red.

Uncle Dale’s eyes had darkened after his own Feast– but she’d never heard of someone’s eyes changing completely. Neither had Corvus or Sita, for that batter. “You’re right,” Selerim said. Senri blushed as he turned away, realizing that she’d been staring at him. “Ahem.” Clearing her throat, she shuffled around, sitting so that her back was pressed to his. Warmth spread from his body to hers, chasing away early winter’s bite. Was he always this warm?

“Can I take a look?” Selerim slid the sketchbook over to her in response. Senri ran her fingers over the worn leather cover before opening it. She recognized most of the drawings. Dead Reavers. Places they’d found on hunts. Their group huddled around a campfire. The first sketches were clumsy, but each page became more detailed. “When did you get so good?” Senri marveled. Her breath caught as she turned the last page. Her own visage peered out from the pages.

Despite being the subject, it was hard to reconcile the differences. The girl in the drawing looked like an idealized version of herself, free of the insecurities that Senri carried. Is this how he sees me? She wondered. She set the notebook aside and stared out over the landscape, grateful that her face was hidden.

Though outside the village wall, their location was close enough to be considered “safe.” It was one of their favorite spots growing up, and still was to this day. But soon enough, she would be the only one there. “I was hoping I’d be able to go on one last hunt with you and the others.” Selerim’s voice interrupted Senri’s thoughts.

“Are you worried about us?”

“Yes.”

“We can take care of ourselves, you know.”

“I know, but still… when do you leave?”

“Tonight. We’ll be back the night before the convoy leaves, so we’ll be out for… three days. Corvus has already arranged a substitute for us.” Senri sighed. “I didn’t want to, but he wants to stock up before the winter really starts.”

Selerim’s tone turned thoughtful. “Knowing him, it’s probably some sort of test.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Senri pulled her legs to her chest. “... I’m going to miss you.” She felt Selerim shift ever so slightly. “I’m going to miss you, too.” He sighed. “I hope I’m better by the time the convoy leaves. I don’t want to just sit around.” Another sigh. “I wish I could go with you.”

Senri laughed. He’d lasted longer than she thought he would. “I wish you could, too.” She grinned. “But you’re stumbling around like you just had the first day of your apprenticeship.” Selerim groaned. “That old man beat me black and blue for a week straight.”

“I’ll never forget the way you limped. But,” Senri paused. “About the convoy… Corvus assigned me to escort duty.”

“Really?” She was delighted to hear the joy in Selerim’s voice.

“Yes. It’s just me, though,” she added hurriedly. “Corvus said Saya and Verad aren’t quite ready yet.”

“He’s probably right about that.” Selerim laughed, then fell silent for a moment. “So this means we’ll have a little while longer together. I’m glad.” Senri smiled. “Me too. But,” she said as she stood, “I need to get going. We’re supposed to gather soon.” She shivered as the cold returned.

Senri turned around to face Selerim as he stood. She hesitated for a moment, then reached up to cup one hand to his face. “I’ll see you in a few days, alright?” He covered her hand with his own and nodded. Sadness crept into his violet eyes, and for the first time in ears, she saw a hint of tears. For some reason, the sight brought Saya’s words rushing back. Senri took a deep breath, and, before she could lose her nerve, stood on the tip of her toes– and kissed Selerim on the cheek. She knew it was a childish act. Nothing even close to approaching an expression of affection. But it was something.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She pulled away, face burning, unable to look at him. She nearly fell over as she bent to pick up her spear. “I know you’re going away,” Senri whispered. “But we’re not done, you and I. Understand?” She saw him not out of the corner of her eye. “Good.” As she strode away, she risked a glance back– and smiled at the dazed expression on Selerim’s face.

Her cheeks were still flushed by the time she found Saya and Verad. Her sister, who nonchalantly twirled one of her daggers, raised an eyebrow as Senri approached them. “Did something happen? Your cheeks are red.” Senri felt her face redden further, but shook her head. Saya opened her mouth, but before she could say anything more, Senri cut her off.

“Do either of you know who Selerim’s substitute is? Corvus wouldn’t tell me anything.” Saya shook her head, while Verad snorted derisively. “Trying to pry answers out of that old man is like trying to draw blood from stone,” he said flatly. “But knowing him, it’s bound to be some sort of–” his eyes widened at the sight of something behind Senri. “Not this guy,” Verad muttered as she turned around. She found herself agreeing as she spotted Levin walking towards them, his Wyrd perched on his shoulder.

The silver-haired hunter wore his small shield on his arm, and his sword on his back. Senri tried– and failed– to banish the images of his fight with Selerim over the rights to Feast. If Levin had any misgivings of his own, he hid them well as he reached them. “Corvus told me to take Selerim’s place for this hunt,” he said calmly.

Senri bit her tongue to keep from snapping. Verad didn’t share the same restraint. “What makes you think we want you?” He asked icily. Levin regarded him coolly. “I may not be Selerim, but I’m more than capable of keeping up with you three. And you need a fisherman."Verad drew his lips into a snarl. “That’s not the point, you–” Senri slammed the butt of her spear against the ground, cutting him off. “Enough,” she said forcefully. “You know better. It’s already late. Does everyone have everything?” The other three nodded in unison, and she noticed Levin eyeing her approvingly.

“Then let’s go.”

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

Selerim bit back a curse as his knee slammed into the doorframe. Frustration rose as he dripped the doorknob, but he clamped down on it. “Varen!” he called out as he opened the door. “I’m he–” he coughed as thick grey smoke billowed out of the blacksmith’s forge. “Is that you, Sel?” Varen appeared amidst the acrid smoke. His apprentice, Vela, was close behind. She was half his height, but despite her small build, seemed to have no issues holding the giant hammer in her hands. Both sweated profusely, despite being seemingly unbothered by the smoke that swirled around them.

“I was wondering when you’d get here.” The blacksmith paused. “Did something good happen?” Selerim felt his face warm. “It’s nothing.” Varen shrugged and fanned the smoke away before beckoning for Selerim to follow him into the forge. “I heard you lost your weapon/” Selerim hung his head.

“I’m sorry–” he started, but Varen waved the apology away. “Don’t be. It’s a fitting end for that old thing. It was never meant to be more than a training weapon; I’m sure your father would be glad to hear that it served you well. Besides,” he said knowingly. “I’m sure you’re ready to get one of your own.” Selerim’s excitement rose, but the blacksmith’s next words dashed it just as quickly. “I’d like nothing more than to hand it to you now, but we’ve run into a bit of a… snag.” He looked down at Vela. “Can you go get the one from last night? And fetch Pyre while you’re at it.”

The young girl set her hammer down on a nearby table before disappearing back into the smoke-filled workshop. Varen took a seat at the table. “Is it true that you’re leaving? You and your family?” he asked abruptly. Selerim grimaced. “Yes.”

“Will you ever be coming back?”

“We’ll probably come back for our belongings, but I think the move will be permanent.”

Varen drummed his fingers against the table. “I see. I’ll have to figure something out before the convoy, then.” He looked as if he was about to say something more, but Vela stepped out of the smoke before he could. Pyre, Varen’s Wyrd, was next to her. The hellhound’s coat was bright red, and smoke puffed from its nostrils with every breath. Varen reached down to scratch the Reaver behind its ear. “There you are, boy.”

Vela held a small bundle in her hands, which she placed on the table in front of her mentor. “Pyre and I worked on it all through the night.” Varen unwrapped the bundle as he spoke, revealing shards of pale red crystal. The remains of Selerim’s Feast. “But no matter how hot the fire was, we couldn’t melt it down/” He picked up one of the pieces and held it out to Pyre. “Show him.”

The hellhound gingerly took the shard from Varen and bit down on it. Selerim watched as gouts of flame jetted out from both sides of its jaw. After a moment, Varen held his hand back out, and Pyre returned it, fully intact. The blacksmith held it up for Selerim to see, apparently unbothered by its glowing hot surface. “Some Hearts are tougher than others, but most melt down after Pyre breathes on them for a few seconds. I’ve never seen one come out of his mouth completely undamaged. And normally, they’d have lost their color by now.” Curiosity crept into his voice. “Just what kind of Reaver did you kill?”

Selerim shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. It was a giant bird made of fire. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Verad snorted. “Of course one of the four troublemakers brought me something like this.” He paused. “If it was a fire-wielding Reaver, that makes sense.” Varen muttered a few more incoherent thoughts, then shook his head.

“Anyways. We had some other tasks, but we’ll focus on this.” He gestured to the shattered remains of the Heart. “Consider it our going away gift. Just be sure to drop by before you leave with the convoy.” Selerim nodded in understanding before leaving the smoke-filled forge.