#25-News
Why was this proving so difficult? He should be ecstatic. After all, the battle had been victorious, the tribute had been plentiful, and the loss had been minimal. He was almost home to the village his heart longed for and yet he felt nothing but a strange sense of sadness.
That sadness should have been lifted the moment he saw her and yet it only seemed to deepen at her inviting smile. He knew he must share this information with her; it was her future after all. Swallowing hard, he forced a smile and spoke, "Kokoum has asked for your hand in marriage."
Immediately, her smile fell, taking his heart with it.