Several days had passed since Fuyu and his wives had established their temporary dominion over the village. During this time, the memory of the two siblings who had escaped into the treeline had begun to fade like morning mist, though it hadn't vanished entirely from Fuyu's strategic mind. He had no genuine intention of bringing Ivis and Iris back into his inner circle—they were, for all intents and purposes, useless to him now—but he was a man who understood the value of appearances. Manu had entrusted them to him, and as a brother and a peer, Fuyu needed at least the veneer of an excuse. He had half-heartedly ordered a few of his men to scout the perimeter and "search" for them, mostly so he could later shrug his shoulders and claim he had tried his best.
But his mind was occupied by far more intoxicating prospects.
"Hah... so this is that spiritually enriched place that Manu had told us about?" Fuyu said, a predatory, hungry grin spreading across his face.
