The foursome reached the front of the cottage and quickly moved into a defensive position against the outer wall. Mo and the Black Prince were on either side of the door. Dustfinger and Farid were on opposite sides of the boarded up window looking out of the cracks between the bards.
They sat and waited silently for the voices and figures to pass. There was a period of silence; Farid looked at the Prince to Dustfinger who were not showing any emotion. "Are they gone?" Mo whispered to the others.
"…" the Prince listened before slowly opening the door. Peeking outside he did not see anyone.
The prince nodded before they all relaxed enough to head back to the cave room. Meggie, Resa and Roxane were all in one corner hiding behind a large crystal formation.
Resa ran out to hug Mo, Roxane clung to Dustfinger like a lifeline while glaring at Farid. Who was currently trying to keep his balance while Meggie practically tackled him to the ground.
The Black Prince just sat near the fire circle waiting for lunch while everyone else was hugging and regaining balance. (Poor Black Prince… I'll give you a hug! hugs)
Mo was finally smiling at Farid and Meggie… with persuasion from Resa of course. Dustfinger was looking out the corner of his eye at the teens and smiled. Roxane stopped glaring and just looked away.
Time Skip: Dinner (… no lunch just skip right to dinner…)
Everyone sat around the fire circle as dinner was finishing cooking and they started to eat. The conversation was light as Dustfinger, the Prince and Mo planned their next move. Roxane was listening to the men as Resa talked to Farid and Meggie.
It was almost one when everyone had finished eating. Farid went to get water from a nearby stream to get some water in a pail and refill everyone's canteens. Meggie, Resa and Roxane gathered the dishes as the men went out to find more firewood.
Everyone finished their jobs and where now, once again, sitting at the fire pit. All they could hear was the crackling of the fire as one by one they went to bed. Soon only Farid and Dustfinger were awake.
Farid yawned and nodded a goodnight to Dustfinger who returned it upsettingly. About twenty minutes after Farid went to bed Dustfinger put out the fire using sand and a bit of water.
He crawled into the bed roll beside Roxane and stared at the ceiling until sleep overtook him. All that could be heard outside were the crickets and the occasional voice of an owl. One of the last peaceful nights that Ink world would have for a while.
