CHAPTER 121 — LANTERNS AND LAUGHTER
The steam clung lightly to their skin as they stepped away from the springs, warmth still radiating through tired muscles. The desert night had cooled, but the heat of the mineral water lingered like a gentle shield against the breeze.
The village head was waiting at the path, lantern in hand, smiling as though he had personally wrestled the King-tier himself.
"Please," he said with a slight bow, "this way. We prepared something appropriate for honored guests."
Colby raised an eyebrow. "Appropriate sounds dangerous."
Marek elbowed him. "Just walk."
They were led toward a long stone building near the eastern side of the village. Unlike the rugged storage halls and reinforced homes, this one had been decorated. Strings of small lanterns hung under the roofline. The doorway was framed with woven desert reeds dyed in warm reds and golds.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of lavender and citrus.
