Liam grinned, his earlier bravado returning. "Sounds like my kind of place. Don't worry, I've had my fair share of rough patches. We'll hold our own."
Ram smiled at the camaraderie forming between them. "Good, because we're going to need all the help we can get. Let's get back to camp, fill each other in, and figure out what's next."
As they continued walking, the atmosphere between them grew more relaxed, the earlier tension dissipating.
Little Black trotted happily alongside Liam, occasionally glancing up at Sid as if to say, "I've got my eye on you." Liam, noticing this, laughed and patted the pup's head.
"Looks like Little Black's still not sure about you, Sid. You're going to have to win him over."
Sid smirked, casting a sidelong glance at the pup. "Why would I care about a little dog?" he mused.
