Darion made his way back toward Percvale, his steps light and easy, the satisfaction of the hunt still fresh in his mind.
The forest around him was quiet, with the occasional sounds of birds, insects, and distant animals. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows across the forest floor. It was peaceful, serene, the kind of evening that made you forget about the weight of leadership.
There wasn't much waiting for him in Percvale, just the history book he had been reading and the quiet of the castle. Hopefully Garren and Seren were back by then.
They had gone to buy beds, a simple errand that had taken them away for most of the day. He hoped they had found something good. The old beds were uncomfortable, their mattresses lumpy, their frames creaky. New ones would make the castle feel more like a home.
