Rin exchanged quick glances with the others, then took off at once, scanning the perimeter as instructed.
Now, only a handful of people remained.
Kaya's eyes moved to the last three standing in front of her.
One of them was the bear-man she remembered from before, towering with a slightly hunched back. Beside him stood the boy who had been beaten before—he was still a little pale, but far more stable now. The third was someone she hadn't interacted with yet. A foreigner. His skin tone was lighter, features unfamiliar, eyes sharp and unreadable. When Kaya looked at him, he met her gaze head-on, refusing to look away.
Good, she thought. At least he has spine.
"You three," she began, her voice just as firm, "go gather firewood. A lot of it. Dry, usable, and quick to burn. We'll need it soon."
They nodded and moved.
Only one figure remained now.
"Cutie," Kaya said, and the girl looked up.
"You—set up a stove. Whatever we need for basic cooking. Stones, clay, mud—whatever works."
