Darius hummed softly to himself, seeing Serena always put him in a good mood. Sometimes he could hardly believe it, that something so simple as her laughter, her voice, could loosen the heaviness around his chest. He had bid her farewell after they had another long winded discussion about nothing too serious in particular. He nearly would have continued lounging in her bed but he had a duty to attend.
The village of Longdale had taken on a livelier rhythm than usual. The sun had just dipped behind the hills, casting a mellow gold across the rooftops. Torches had been lit in preparation for the communal banquet, their warm glow mingling with the natural fading light. Wooden tables lined the village square, some still being hammered together by eager hands, others already covered in white cloth and decorated with pine sprigs. The scent of stew, baked bread, and roasted game lingered in the air, a promise of the feast to come.
