The festival continued for a while longer, with the villagers gradually becoming more relaxed as the night deepened.
The ladies of the village eventually finished preparing the food and joined their husbands around the large fire, carrying bowls and wooden cups with them as they settled down beside their families.
The warm glow of the flames illuminated their faces while laughter continued to spread through the gathering, mixing with the occasional clinking of cups and the cheerful voices of the villagers as they exchanged stories about the harvest, their families, and the small events that had happened throughout the year.
It was nothing grand, nothing that would be remembered by the outside world, yet for these people, this simple night was enough to make them smile as they sat together beneath the open sky.
Destiny had eventually sat down beside Ian, and the moment she did, several of the villagers couldn't help but glance toward the couple.
