A chance encounter
The brisk wind grew more chill as the last traces of sunset faded from the horizon. The songs and cries of birds slowly disappeared, replaced by the hoots of owls and the gentle susurrations of bat wings. The crisp scent of pine needles and duff floated on the breeze as stars began to litter night sky.
The young woman glanced back toward the west, then back the way she had been traveling. Her wash of pale gold locks bobbed around her pointed ears as she continued to scour the hills and forest around her. Finally, her eyes settled upon a glow a mile or so away, below the next ridge.
An hour later, she approached the camp slowly, glancing all around as she did. The smell of pine smoke was nearly covered by the very appealing scent of roasting meat. As she gazed at the camp, a figure stirred the embers and checked the hare being held above them.
Pausing for a moment, she looked all around again, then strode forward, calling out before entering the ring of firelight. “You wouldn’t happen to mind sharing your fire tonight, would you?”
