The Hollow Remnants
They walked deeper into the Black Forest, the sunlight now more diffused as the canopy thickened overhead. Rael skipped along with his shirt bundled like a bowl, overflowing with crushed berries. Some juice had dripped down his chest, staining his tunic.
"I found these near a stream," he announced proudly. "Nearly died doing it, but you are welcome."
Kael glanced at him, unimpressed. "You tripped and cried."
"I tripped over a tree root. That is basically nature's trap. I could have died!"
"But you did not. Stop whining."
Serana shook her head, half-smiling as she adjusted the pup in her arms. It was fast asleep again, its tiny breaths rising and falling against her chest. Peaceful.
But that peace was short-lived.
As they rounded a bend in the trail, Kael suddenly stopped.
Serana almost bumped into him. "What is it…?"
Kael raised a hand, his gaze fixed on something just off the trail. "There." He pointed.
