The late-afternoon air was soft and golden when Kael finally pushed his chair back.
The others were still chatting over the last of the fish stew—Rue and Rina giggling as Druvarn tried to steal their food with his tiny paws, Lyra humming a little tune, and Evethra quietly refilling Kael's cup though he'd already stood up.
"I'll be back," Kael said lightly, brushing off invisible dust from his coat. "I still need to see a full circulation."
No one tried to stop him. They'd grown used to his whims by now.
But when he stepped outside, he heard calm footsteps behind him.
"I'll come with you," Alenia said, closing the door behind her.
Kael glanced back, his eyes gleaming. "You don't need to, you know."
"I know," she replied, smiling faintly. "But I don't like seeing you walk off alone."
They walked side by side down the dirt path that led past the huge tree at the center of the village.
