They returned to the clearing. Geor had finished his perimeter check and was helping Aisha set up a small cooking pot. Obed sat apart from the group, sharpening his blades with a whetstone.
He only glanced at the two for the briefest moments before turning his gaze away swiftly.
Garrick arranged the wood and struck flint against steel. The sparks caught on the dried bark. It took a moment for the blaze to get going, and for the embers to start flying.
Within minutes, a small fire was crackling.
"Obed, you're on first watch," Garrick said. "Two hours. Then Geor. Then me."
Obed grunted his acknowledgment.
"What about me?" Nero asked.
Garrick glanced at him and chuckled. "You're not part of the regular rotation. Guest privilege, I guess. Eat something and get some rest. You look like you could need some rest."
Nero couldn't argue even if he wanted to. Finding some rest in the depths of Malady's Garden was rather difficult.
