It's night, Resentment Forest.
"Crackle!"
In a clearing deep in the forest, a bonfire sizzled and burned, the sound of wood crackling and popping in the flames.
Four young adventurers sat around the bonfire.
Triss poked burning pine resin into a tree hole with her dagger, and the flames that burst forth illuminated the dark red star-shaped mark behind her ear.
Sirius tore open a charred rabbit leg, and the oil splattered onto the leather armor's shoulder buckle, sizzling into a series of tiny silver blooms. His meat-stained fingertips caressed the hilt's relief, the dark patterns shimmering with a golden hue under the firelight.
Hilia sat dutifully at the side, holding the silver staff, and devoutly performed her routine prayers with clasped hands.
