Chapter 222 - Through the Dimming Light

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm but waning light over the forest as evening crept in. Luke and Ilyrana continued their steady pace, navigating through the dense underbrush and the maze of twisted roots that seemed to cover every inch of the ground. Hours had passed since their lunch break—a quick meal of leftover bear meat skewers from their hunt, salted and fried over the fire to keep them from spoiling. Nothing extravagant, but it had given them the energy to press on through the afternoon, a small, salty comfort that kept them moving forward.