SWY 121

Taking a brief moment to rest, Sharhan gathered the empty bowls and pots inside the mountain hut along with everyone’s water pouches, then broke a water stone to secure water.

Even one stone yielded enough water for them to quench their thirst and wash their faces, hands, and feet. Naturally, they filled the pouches to the brim.

No one was more delighted than Ardelle. Despite wincing in pain whenever the water touched her wounds, she still washed her face. Sharhan and Lestel also felt somewhat refreshed for the first time in a while.

After making sure Thunder and Lightning were well-watered, they all sat in a circle and began discussing tomorrow’s plan. Many ideas were shared, but given their smaller numbers, they ultimately decided a surprise attack in the dead of night or at dawn would be best.

“We don’t know exactly how many of them there are, do we? We only know there are at least twenty, and there could be thirty or more if there were ones Ardelle didn’t see. Then wouldn’t we end up surrounded? I know the two of you are strong, but no matter how skilled someone is, pure numbers win in the end. One can handle a few wolves, but even the best hunter will be torn apart if surrounded by ten or twenty.”

Though Samson agreed a surprise attack was the best method, he also worried they might get surrounded due to being outnumbered. Sharhan nodded and spoke.

“We’re not rushing in blindly. First, we need to find out exactly how many of them there are.”

“How do we do that?”

“We’ll hide near the storehouse tomorrow, and when the moment’s right, we’ll grab one of them and beat the information out of him.”

It was unlikely they’d always move in large groups. If someone came alone or in a pair, they could easily handle them and get the information they needed.

Just then, Ardelle, who had been silently listening the whole time, suddenly bowed her head, crestfallen.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Yesterday, when you said to spare one, I insisted there was no need and told you to kill them all. Even though I knew where their base was, I let my need for revenge cloud my judgment. I shouldn’t have ordered them all killed like that.”

When she couldn’t answer properly whether that so-called leader had many subordinates, Sharhan had already sensed something was off.

But instead of scolding her for demanding they be killed, Sharhan simply patted Ardelle lightly on the shoulder.

“It’s not entirely your fault. We’ll just catch one tomorrow.”

He was the one who ultimately killed them all after hearing what Ardelle said.

Speaking casually like it was no big deal, Sharhan shrugged his shoulders.

“Exactly. Don’t worry, Ardelle.”

Following Sharhan’s reassurance, Samson also chimed in. Ardelle’s expression eased a little. Instead of saying something kind, Lestel just nodded gently.

“What will you do after we catch one?”

“Find out roughly how many there are, where the children are exactly, and where that leader is too… We’ll get all the intel we can. The more, the better.”

“But isn’t this still too risky for us?”

“That’s why I’m thinking of using this.”

Sharhan held up a smoke stone. Ardelle looked at the ashen rock curiously.

“What is that?”

“A smoke stone. They say it emits smoke when broken.”

“So you want to make it look like there’s a fire and use the chaos to launch an attack?”

Ardelle quickly figured out how the stone was meant to be used.

“If we break a few of them in different spots, the enemy will scatter in confusion. But if it’s just smoke, they’ll catch on quickly, so it’d be safer to start a real fire or two as well.”

“I saw some dried vines around here. I’ll use them to make traps.”

Samson, who had found the dried vines, probably abandoned by an herbalist, stepped up confidently. If they could trap even one or two enemies, it would be useful, so everyone readily agreed.

While they continued tossing around various ideas, Samson suddenly let out a big yawn without realizing it, then quickly covered his mouth in embarrassment.

“S-sorry.”

“We’re all tired. Let’s sleep for now and continue in the morning.”

Sharhan was also exhausted. The heatstone had made the air comfortably warm, lulling him into sleepiness.

“Shall we?”

Ardelle was already curled up and lying down. Samson, seemingly too shy to lie next to her, leaned against the wall instead and closed his eyes with his arms crossed. Sharhan and Lestel did the same. The moment they closed their eyes, sleep came instantly.

***

“Grrh!”

Sharhan jolted awake and quickly straightened his body, glancing around. He was still inside the mountain hut, now dark with the sun completely down.

‘Right, the cabin.’

Realizing where he was, Sharhan relaxed his tense body and let out a small yawn. He must’ve fallen asleep deeply and been startled awake by the loud sound.

“Grrhh!”

The culprit was Samson. Sharhan could now see him clearly, still sitting against the wall, sound asleep with his mouth wide open.

Sharhan, parched, picked up his water pouch and took a sip. Then he noticed Ardelle, curled up tightly in her sleep. It was a pitiful sight.

He found himself wanting to gently straighten her legs. At that moment, Lestel’s arm wrapped around Sharhan’s waist.

“You’re not asleep?”

Sharhan whispered softly so as not to wake Ardelle or Samson.

“Your head was on my shoulder, and when it disappeared, I woke up. Why did you wake up?”

“Samson’s snoring startled me…”

Just then, Samson let out another loud snore, and moments later, Ardelle replied with a soft “mmh!” as she snored lightly. Sharhan and Lestel silently burst into laughter.

“They must’ve been really worn out. Can’t blame them, especially her, after everything she’s been through.”

Maybe it was because he now knew Lestel’s heart had long belonged to him, but Ardelle, whom he used to find irritating, now seemed a bit pitiful.

‘Her wounds were pretty bad. And she probably didn’t sleep properly either.’

Even though she said she had stayed here last night, she likely spent it trembling in fear. Sharhan and Lestel had also suffered a lot on the way here, but at least they had each other to lean on. Ardelle had gone through it all alone.

“Don’t look at her. Why are you staring at someone else when your lover’s right next to you? You’re going to burn a hole in Ardelle’s face.”

Lestel grabbed Sharhan’s chin and turned his face toward him, mock-pouting. Sharhan nearly laughed out loud but managed to hold it back. His voice trembled with restrained amusement.

“I was just feeling a little sorry for her, thinking how tired she must be to snore like that. I wasn’t staring, okay? Are you jealous just because I looked at Ardelle for a second?”

“Of course I’m jealous. You’re looking at someone who isn’t me. And I’m tired too, you know. I didn’t snore, but I’m totally worn out.”

Not long ago, it was Sharhan who had been jealous of Lestel and Ardelle. Now the tables had turned, and it was Lestel who was jealous. It was kind of absurd, but it didn’t feel bad at all.

“Then go to sleep. Rest is the best cure for exhaustion.”

“I’d rather relieve my fatigue a different way.”

“What way?”

Lestel tilted his head, brought his lips close to Sharhan’s ear, and whispered in a low voice.

“A kiss.”

Instead of freaking out that they weren’t alone, Sharhan glanced sidelong at Ardelle and Samson. Both were still sound asleep, so a kiss should be fine.

‘Lestel’s jealousy is too cute. I can’t resist.’

His palms tingled. He wished he could see Lestel’s expression better in the dark.

After checking again that Ardelle and Samson were still breathing steadily in their sleep, Sharhan turned his body toward Lestel. He cupped both of Lestel’s cheeks and kissed him.

Lestel’s lips were soft, warm, and plush. Not wanting to pull away too quickly, Sharhan lightly licked Lestel’s lower lip with his tongue. Lestel flinched. Like a playful puppy, Sharhan licked at his lips again, then gently nibbled them.

He wanted to do more, but if he deepened the kiss, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Swallowing his frustration, Sharhan started to pull back slightly. That’s when Lestel grabbed Sharhan’s waist and pulled him close, about to kiss him again.

“Mmh.”

Ardelle let out a strange whimper, curled into herself, and mumbled, “Mm, it hurts. Mom…” She sniffled a few times, then went quiet again.

So she had been suffering all along, hiding her pain behind a brave face. When it hurts the most, it’s only natural to long for the warmth of a mother’s embrace.

Sharhan froze for a moment, watching Ardelle seek her mother in her sleep, then let out a quiet sigh. He gave Lestel a light peck on the lips and sat up.

Maybe because Ardelle’s voice had stirred something solemn in him, or maybe the mood was just ruined. Either way, Lestel didn’t press further. Instead, he leaned in and buried his face in Sharhan’s shoulder, whispering like a spoiled child.