26. A KING'S PROMISE

I tended to the meat all night long as the others slept in the camp. My eyes were heavy with sleep but I was determined to complete the course that would follow that day. The forest came to life as the sun rose over the horizon.

The rain had begun and exhausted itself on me. I liked to believe it was cleansing me of how weak I had gotten. By the time the men woke up I had assembled their plates for them. They sat and ate as they chat with themselves. I could feel the eyes take me in but I had my old self back. There was no way they could approach or start a conversation with me. Even Conri decided to let it rest.

They walked away after eating, heading back to the pack, and I was left to dissemble all the shelters I had made. I cleared the beds and left the area as clean as we found it. They came back clean with a new set of clothes while I rotted, feeling like filth in my own skin.

My back was to them, my legs were crossed and I was staring at the lake. The hand of time paused for m