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Tessa groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow. "I hate mornings."
Kieran chuckled, his eyes glinting with determination. "Mornings hate corrupt officials even more. Come on, Tessa, you're stronger than you think. We've got work to do."
With a reluctant sigh, Tessa finally opened her eyes, meeting Kieran's gaze. "Fine."
Kieran grinned, pleased that she was coming around. "Trust me. Liam is the key to unraveling this mess. Now, let's get some breakfast, and I'll fill you in on the plan. We have a long day ahead, and we need to be prepared."
A moment of silence followed, the blue star fox giving Kieran a serious glare. “Can I have some privacy?” she asked.
Kieran flattened his ears, a little confused at first but then he got it and pulled out of the tent. “Oh, right, yes.”
He surely was not used to inhabiting the same space as a woman.
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Once both of them were ready to head out to find food, Kieran led them deeper into the cliffs. He would have preferred if Perseus had stayed behind to keep watch over their hideout, but there was no way the dragon would have allowed Tessa out of his sight.
He scanned the ground and walls for any indication of a burrow or nest. He was a skilled hunter, of course, having to feed himself during travel in the unoccupied wilderness all these years.
He’d taken down great beasts such as deer and wolves before, as well as the smaller critters like squirrels and raccoons; they’d all been a lovely feast.
The minty fox sure did love his meaty meals, as well as the coats and bones of the animals he killed; it provided a way to make extra gold, and ways to keep warm without having to go out and survey markets for a good blanket.
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Oh yes, Kieran was good at tanning pelts, too! He’d learned a lot from his mentor in his teenage years. Garrick Ironheart was his name, a spunky old fox, beaten in appearance but not lacking in spirit within at all.
It had been a long time since he’d seen Garrick; perhaps one day soon the bounty hunter would set off on a journey to visit the old-timer. ‘After I deal with Dawnbreak,’ Kieran decided, gazing at the cloudy, blue sky for a moment.
With Garrick Ironheart's teachings echoing in his mind, he moved with a predatory grace, every step deliberate and silent. Beside him, Tessa observed, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
The scent of wild herbs mingled with the earthy aroma of the cliffs. Kieran spotted a small group of rabbits nibbling on sparse grass, unaware of the duo closing in.
He signaled for Tessa to stay put, his fingers lightly touching her back before he melted into the natural surroundings.
The starry fox did as she was told, hiding behind a big dead tree that lay sprawled on the ground among rocks.
His bow, crafted with care and precision, was drawn silently. The minty-furred fox moved with the fluidity of a snake, blending into the crags. His breath slowed as he aimed for the largest rabbit in the group. The arrow released with a soft whisper, swiftly finding its mark.
The unfortunate prey fell with minimal resistance, letting out a curt squeak. Kieran approached it with a calculated calmness. He dispatched it swiftly, Garrick's lessons evident in every efficient movement. The task was routine, a dance of survival that spoke to the primal instincts ingrained in both fox and rabbit.
Returning to Tessa, Kieran offered a small, reassuring smile. The lifeless rabbit, now slung over his shoulder. “Let’s head back and clean the carcass,” he explained, breaking the tension in the air.
“Clean it?” She raised a brow curiously.
“That means to prepare it for cooking,” he explained enthusiastically. Passing by her, he let out a barely audible giggle, leading them back to camp; the minty fox was beginning to remind himself of his mentor Ironheart, passing on what he had learned from him to someone else.
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As the fire crackled, Kieran expertly skewered the rabbit on a makeshift spit. The aroma of roasting meat filled the air, intertwining with the natural scents around them.
Tessa watched the flames dance, her face reflecting a mix of hunger and anticipation. The pair sat close, and Kieran rotated the spit, ensuring an even cook, the sizzling sound harmonizing with the nocturnal chorus of distant creatures.
“Ugh, it smells so good!” Tessa beamed with anticipation.
Kieran’s mouth watered. He was so hungry!