The young lads trudged back to their cramped living quarters, the weight of their exhaustion palpable in the dimly lit room. As they settled onto their bunks, Cailchu suggested they pass the time with conversation.
"Hey, why don't we just talk for a while?" Cailchu suggested, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice. Aurelio noticed the expression on Cailchu's face, it was as if he'd finally started to become less nervous and started to become familiar around everyone.
"Yeah, sure," Lubry chimed in, eager to distract himself from the day's hardships.
And so, they began to talk. They spoke of trivial matters at first, sharing stories from their pasts and exchanging anecdotes about life before the draft. As their conversation flowed, they delved into more intriguing topics, discussing the history of their kingdom and sharing rumors they had heard about distant lands. About the Pabrycg strait, about the Veridian Empire, and about the five continents.
As they spoke, Ichen remained aloof, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. He seemed lost in contemplation, his gaze fixed on a small, folded piece of parchment that lay on his bunk.
"What's that?" Cailchu asked, nodding toward the parchment after seeing Ichen staring at the parchment.
Ichen hesitated, he extended his hand to grab it and his grip tightening on the parchment. "I-it's nothing," he replied curtly, making a feeble attempt to conceal the note from his comrades.
But Lubry was undeterred. With a mischievous grin, he reached for the parchment and unfolded it, revealing the elegant script of a poem written on the page.
Ichen's eyes widened in alarm, but it was too late. Lubry began to read aloud, his voice filling the room with the lyrical cadence of the verses.
As the poem unfolded, a hush fell over the room. The words seemed to cast a spell over the draftees, transporting them to a world of beauty and wonder far removed from the harsh realities of their existence. It was a poem about Ichen's hometown, about the beautiful lakes, golden sunsets, lush greenery, and crisp air.
When Lubry finished reading, there was a moment of stunned silence. Then, slowly, the draftees began to applaud, their appreciation evident in the warmth of their smiles and the sparkle in their eyes.
"Ichen, that was beautiful," Rono exclaimed, breaking the silence. "I had no idea you had such talent."
Though Ichen seemed like the quiet and reserved type, he still liked the praise, though he refrained from showing it. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he looked away, feeling slightly flustered despite his reserved demeanor.
And as they settled in for the night, the memory of the poem lingered in the air, a reminder of the unexpected moments of beauty that could be found even in the darkest of times.