WELCOMING PARTY
The sun rode high in the sky, bathing everything below with its warmth. It was high summer and the sky was almost completely clear except for a few thin twists of cloud drifting along on a gentle zephyr.
Talla shielded her eyes against the sunlight as she hurried across the centre of the village. She had an animal skin pouch clutched tightly against her chest, while mumbling quietly under her breath.
"Every time," she murmured. "Why does she have to do this to me every time?"
Talla's grim expression immediately lit up when she spotted Seraph approaching from the opposite direction, carrying a bundle of freshly caught fish.