"Hey, Lance…" Kaeli said, approaching him with an exhausted expression as Rynne left. Without anyone mentioning it, Lance could see just how much Kaeli had been working. Even though he knew she wouldn't listen, he still wanted to tell her to rest a bit, even though just for the rest of the night.
"You look worn out, you really ought to rest more. We don't want you collapsing on us." Lance said, fetching her a bowl of soup made with mushrooms, some edible leaves, and rabbit meat, chopped into small chunks. Even though there was not much spice or sweeteners like salt or pepper, Lance could eat it as he had grown accustomed to the taste. It wasn't that bad, it just tasted like trying a 100% to eat healthy at an extreme level.
"Wow, how'd you know I'd be coming, you even set food for me." Kaeli said, plunging her tired body beside Lance.
"Actually, that's Rynne's, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Lance said, setting his own half eaten bowl aside just in case Rynne does mind. Since Kaeli hadn't collected hers, it would still be available later and Rynne could eat that, but just in case there was none, his remaining half should suffice.
Kaeli collected the bowl without question and dug in immediately, eating like she was being chased by seven demons. It wasn't long before she choked.
Lance responded quickly, offering her some water to help ease things down, as his other hand rubbed her back while she drank the water. "Slow down, the food's not running away."
As soon as the food went down, Kaeli resumed her fierce eating style, and it only took a few more seconds before the bowl was empty.
"Ahhh…" Kaeli dropped the bowl and plunged her body down on Lance, resting her head on his lap while lying sideways, facing away from him.
"Each day, they get better with this soup, what a wonderful idea. That was also something from your "other" world, right?" Kaeli asked.
"Believe me or not, it is."
"So strange. Such a wondrous world, but there is no magic." She wondered. "I've been trying to bring that idea into fruition, you know, the bows and arrows thing. The only problem though, is that everything seems to be the problem." Kaeli said, sighing heavily as she turned to face the sky. With the surrounding trees having been hacked down by Lance and his tribe for expansion, they had a better view of the night sky nowadays, better than before.
"There's no way I can do it without understanding a ton of other factors, and even when I feel like I've made progress, I just don't have the proper materials to make it work. The only way we can make something that will work is to get information on how the races who can craft bows do it, especially the materials needed."
Lance listened to her, thinking about what she had said. Perhaps, it was time to start making contact with other races. "Is that what has been stressing you like this?" Lance asked, Kaeli turning to lie on her side again.
"Well, not just that, but it's a big part of it."
Looking at her, Lance couldn't help but smile a little as he stroked her short hair, running his hand through with practiced rhythm.
"We'll think of a way tomorrow, for now, just rest."
It didn't take ten minutes for her to fall asleep. Rynne returned moments later, surprised to see Kaeli sleeping, "I can't remember when last I saw her asleep. She's in her forge when I go to sleep, and when I wake up she's already working."
"She's a workaholic. Ah, yeah. Sorry, I gave her your soup. You can take hers instead, and add mine too, I'm full. I'll take her to bed now." Lance said, quickly making his escape before he could find out if Rynne was ok or not.
Reaching Kaeli's tent, Lance realised that this would be the first time he would be entering her tent, since he only ever saw her in her forge. He even believed that she slept there. In the end, it couldn't be disputed that Kaeli was perhaps the most hardworking in the entire tribe.
Thinking about it, a smile appeared on Lance's lips as he moved closer to path the curtains of her tent open.
Inside, there was a simple bedding on the floor, neatly arranged. As it was night, Lance could barely see around, so he just put her to bed, and after not being able to resist giving her some head pats, he leaves quietly before he woke her up.
"Rest well," he whispered as he left the tent.
…
The next morning, Lance had met Rynne, and after a brief stink eye, she didn't mention the incident at all, relieving Lance.
Zarra emerged from the shadows of the trees, her movements as silent as a whisper. She approached Lance, who was near Kaeli's forge, examining her latest weapon designs. She had come up with a few practical ideas herself.
"Lance," Zarra said, her tone low and serious, "we've spotted something interesting."
Lance straightened, setting the tools aside, noticing Zarra's seriousness. "What is it?"
"A group of beastkin," Zarra said, her sharp eyes gleaming. "They're passing through the edge of the forest. Armed, but not heavily. Looks like they're just traders moving goods, at least, they look the part."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I've seen quite a few caravans like that, small ones, but none had come this close before, there isn't exactly a defined road system on this side."
Lance's brow furrowed. "Beastkin? Have they seen us?"
Zarra shook her head. "Not yet. We stayed out of sight."
Lance's mind raced. Beastkin were a mixed bag in terms of reputation, mostly known for being fierce warriors, but they are also skilled craftsmen and traders. If they were open to negotiation, this could be a golden opportunity.
"Let's go," Lance said, grabbing his cloak.