Hunt Race

The dining hall was already half full by the time they entered.

Long wooden tables stretched across the spacious hall, occupied by hunters of every age. Some ate quietly before setting out on commissions, while others spoke loudly about yesterday's hunts, arguing over who had landed the final blow or whose story had become more exaggerated overnight.

Darius led Kael to an empty table near the wall.

"Sit."

Kael pulled out a chair and sat down.

Before long, a server arrived carrying two steaming bowls and a basket of freshly baked bread. He placed them on the table with practiced efficiency before moving on to the next group of hunters without saying a word.

The rich aroma drifting from the food immediately caught Kael's attention.

Only then did he realize just how hungry he was.

Without wasting any time, he picked up a piece of warm bread and tore off a bite. It was soft, fresh, and far better than the dried rations they had survived on during the expedition.

Darius noticed the faint change in his expression.

"Better than camp food?"

Kael swallowed before giving a quiet nod.

"Much better."

"I thought so."

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. Around them, the lively atmosphere of the dining hall filled every quiet moment.

At a nearby table, one hunter slammed his palm onto the wood.

"I'm telling you, that beast was twice my size!"

His companion barely looked up from his meal.

"It was a boar."

"It was a very large boar."

"It was fat."

Laughter erupted around the table.

The first hunter sighed dramatically.

"I risked my life, and all I get is insults."

"You also got paid."

The hunter paused before nodding.

"...Fair point."

Another wave of laughter spread through the hall.

Even Kael found himself smiling.

Hunters weren't so different from the people back in his village after all.

They complained.

They argued.

They laughed whenever they had the chance.

The only difference was that their stories usually involved beasts instead of harvests.

After finishing his meal, Darius wiped his hands with a cloth and rose to his feet.

"Finished?"

Kael nodded.

"Good."

Darius adjusted the cloak resting over his shoulder before looking toward the doorway.

"Let's get you registered."

Kael stood, pushing his chair neatly beneath the table.

Together, they left the dining hall and stepped back into the bustling courtyard, disappearing into the morning crowd.

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