The morning arrived quietly.

Soft light filtered through the edges of the shelters, brushing against the sleeping forms curled beneath layers of woven cloth and dried leaves. The fire outside had burned low, reduced to embers, and the air inside the bedding space was cool, still carrying the weight of the night.

Athan stirred first.

Lara's arm rested lightly across his chest, and Kali was tucked close against his side, her face half-buried in the fabric of his tunic. Both of them breathed slow and deep, warm and tangled in the bedding they now shared everyday.

For a moment, Athan stayed still—listening to the faint sounds of the waking forest and the distant crackle of fire.

Then, carefully, he shifted out from under their weight, moving slowly to avoid waking either of them.

Lara stirred slightly but remained asleep. Kali murmured something incomprehensible and turned her face deeper into their shared fur hugging Lara in the process.

Athan pulled the fur higher over both of them, then rose quietly to his feet.

The air outside was cool and damp. Dew clung to the grass beneath his feet, and the faint scent of ash and morning mist hung in the air. He made his way toward the kilns, the faint glow from the fire channels visible even through the soft veil of fog.

There, seated on a flat stone, was Wade.

The older man sat still, arms resting on his knees, eyes focused on the flames. A small pile of wood was stacked neatly beside him, and the fire breathed softly with steady heat.

Wade turned slightly as his son approached, then gave a single nod.

Athan returned the gesture. "Thanks father. I'll take it from here."

Without a word, Wade stood, brushing off his hands. He reached out and gave Athan a firm pat on the shoulder—quiet approval—then stepped away, heading back toward the village for some well-earned rest.

Athan crouched beside the kiln, adding a log with practiced ease. The fire accepted it greedily, crackling softly as the heat surged back to life.

And just like that, the day began.

------------------

Back at the bedding, the light filtering through the shelter grew stronger, golden rays slowly chasing away the gray of dawn.

Kali stirred first this time, letting out a long, muffled yawn before blinking slowly. Her face was still half-buried in the fur, nose pressed lightly against Lara's shoulder. She stayed like that for a moment, then gently nudged the older girl with her forehead.

"Lara," she whispered, voice hoarse from sleep. "Sun's up."

Lara groaned softly but didn't move.

Kali grinned and pushed again. "He gone already."

That did it. Lara let out a quiet breath, then stretched under the furs, arching her back slowly before opening one eye.

"Mmh… fire still warm?"

"Yes," Kali said, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "Still smell smoke."

The two girls sat up fully, pushing the covers aside with lazy hands. Lara tied back her hair with a practiced motion while Kali blinked toward the opening of the shelter.

"Athan at kiln?"

"Where else?" Lara muttered fondly.

Kali chuckled. "He sleep less than everyone."

"Work more too," Lara added, standing and stretching her arms above her head. "Come. We go wake up with coffee."

Kali wrinkled her nose. "You drink. I pretend."

Lara chuckled. "You always like that."

"Still true," Kali replied, grinning. "Smell nice. Taste like dirt."

They stepped out into the morning light together, the cool air brushing against their skin, shoes sinking into the soft, damp earth. The smell of smoke and wet leaves filled their lungs as they made their way toward the cooking area, where the embers from the night before were still glowing faintly.

Near the firepit, sat a wooden pot, full with water. It was still early, and the girls moved with quiet routine.

Lara crouched first, grabbing the small set of tongs nearby. From within the coals, she fished out a few blackened, glowing stones, their surfaces pulsing with heat. She dropped them into the pot one by one, and the water inside began to hiss and bubble.

Kali, already kneeling beside her, reached into a small pouch and took out a pinch of dried dandelion roots, roughly crushed. She waited until the water boiled properly, then added them in with care, stirring slowly with a carved stick.

The bitter scent rose almost immediately—earthy, smoky, with a faint sharpness.

"Still smells better than it tastes," Kali muttered, watching the color darken.

Lara smirked. "You'll get used to it."

"Not today," Kali said, though without real complaint.

After a few more moments, Lara poured the hot brew into three wooden bowls.

"For Athan," she said, handing one to Kali.

Kali took it with a sigh. "He better appreciate. I burned my fingers for this."

They left the wooden pot of coffee on the table near the firepit, letting the bitter brew steep for anyone else who might want some later. A thin trail of steam still rose from the surface, curling gently in the morning air.

Without a word, Lara and Kali turned and headed toward the waterfall path, their steps light but sleepy. It had become part of their morning ritual—cold water on the face to wash off the weight of the night.

The water was crisp, clear, and biting, but it woke them fast.

After drying her face on her sleeve, Lara took back the two wooden bowls of coffee. She gave Kali a look as if to say: you coming?

Kali wrinkled her nose, took her own bowl, and sipped carefully—grimacing immediately. "Ugh… still bad," she muttered under her breath, though she kept sipping. Then she veered off toward the watering system, stepping over the damp grass and heading toward the hollowed channels that Athan had built, putting it in place. She would need to stay there a few minutes to get everything flowing in the field.

Lara shrug her shoulders and continued on, bowls in hand.

She found Athan near the kiln, crouched down and feeding fresh logs into the fire channel. The heat shimmered around him in waves. He didn't hear her approach at first.

She cleared her throat lightly, then extended the bowl.

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Athan turned, surprised, and blinked at the steaming drink in her hands.

"For you," she said with a small smile.

He accepted it slowly, a different kind of warmth soaking into his fingers. "Thank you… really."

Lara shrugged, but the corner of her mouth lifted. "You should thank Kali more than me. She burned her fingers dropping hot stones in the pot."

Athan's brow furrowed. "She okay?"

"She will live," Lara said lightly, waving her hand. "Don't worry."

Athan gave a small nod, then took a sip. The bitter flavor hit fast, but it was comforting in its own way. Warm, grounding.

A few minutes later, Kali joined them, rubbing her fingertips with a pout on her face.

"Still hurts," she said, holding up one hand. "Tell your fire to be nicer next time."

Lara snorted into her bowl. "You the one who dropped the stones."

"Next time you burn your fingers," Kali muttered, sipping again with a dramatic grimace.

Athan smiled behind his bowl, the warm drink in his hands, and the quiet presence of the girls on either side of him. The day had barely started, but already… it felt like it was off to a good beginning.

Lara took another sip from her bowl, then glanced sideways at Athan."What you do today?" she asked.

Athan leaned back slightly, watching the slow swirl of steam from his cup. "Probably more bricks," he said. "But I'll need help. The racks are full. I'll ask the builders to make another shelter."

Lara nodded without hesitation. "Good. You focus on fire. Bricks can wait."

He looked at her, eyebrows raised slightly, but she was already finishing the last of her drink. Kali slurped the last mouthful of hers with a quiet wince, setting her bowl down with a soft thud.

"We take these back," Lara said, standing.

Kali followed, and together they made their way back to the fire pit, leaving Athan near the kilns, still crouched near the flames.

A few minutes passed in peace—just the sound of crackling wood and the steady hum of heat.

Then, voices.

Athan turned and blinked in surprise as the two girls came back—this time with Ok, Yun, and Wade walking behind them. The three men carried a few tools slung over their shoulders and shared a familiar air of quiet curiosity.

Lara walked straight up to them, hands on her hips.

"Can you build second shelter?" she asked Ok. "Same as first. For bricks. With racks."

Ok scratched his head, looking over at the current structure. "Same size?"

"Yes," Lara confirmed. "Same layout. Near it. Close enough to use same path."

Yun grunted in agreement. "We do it. Fast."

Wade gave a short nod. "We take cart."

Without another word, the three men turned to collect their tools and materials. They pushed the cart away, heading toward the lumber and stone stockpile near the cliff, then rolled it back slowly, loaded with wooden beams, flat planks, and wood wedges. This one would be totally in wood, and they would take of the leafy roof and make it with wood on the first one.

Athan watched them set up, surprise lingering in his chest—but also a quiet amusement.

He looked at Lara, who met his gaze with a small, satisfied smile.

"Thanks," he said.

"Less for you to carry," she replied simply, and walked away.

Kali gave him a cheeky grin. "We take wheelbarrow now. Do bricks."

Athan blinked. "You're doing the bricks?"

Kali nodded. "We know how. You showed."

Without waiting for more, the two girls rolled the now-empty cart toward the clay pile. Athan watched them go, the weight in his shoulders easing just a little more.

They really didn't need him for that part anymore.

Which was… kind of amazing.

With a deep breath, he turned back toward the kilns and checked both fires again. Still steady. Still strong.

He stood, dusted off his hands, and scanned the camp.

Time to find what else needed doing and if he could do it.

He hesitated only a moment, then nodded to himself.

Now's a good time.

He walked quietly past the main firepit, greeting a few villagers with a nod, and ducked into his shelter. Near his tools, wrapped in a strip of bark cloth, were the three long pieces of fabric Rael had given the girls, along with a small pouch of feathers they'd gathered over time. Beside it, a coil of fine cord, and his carved bone needle, kept near de feathers pouch.

He gathered everything carefully and returned to the kiln area. He found a flat patch of ground just far enough to avoid the heavy smoke, but close enough to keep an eye on the fires as they burned.

He sat cross-legged, set his supplies down in neat order, and unfolded the first strip of cloth.

With practiced ease, he threaded the cord through the needle, then folded one of the fabrics in half, pinching the edges together. The first few stitches were slow, his fingers checking the tension, making sure the seam held tight. Once confident, his hands moved with more certainty.

After closing two side he began grapping the feather and feeding them to the future pillow. As he worked, small fluffs of feather rose into the air with every handful he packed into the open side. He kept it light—just enough to give softness, not too much to make the cloth bulge.

Now and then, he glanced toward the kilns, standing to feed another log when needed before returning to his spot.

The first pillow came together faster than he expected.

He tied it shut with a small knot at one end, then smoothed it out on his lap, testing it with his palm. Soft. Lumpy, but squishy.

One by one, the pillows took shape beneath his hands.

The second was easier—his fingers remembered the rhythm now. Fold, stitch, tighten. Stuff with care, seal the edge. He packed the feathers evenly this time, shaking the cloth gently after every handful to spread them out inside. The fabric scratched softly against his fingers, warm from the morning sun.

The third pillow was the smallest of the three, made from a slightly shorter cloth. Maybe it would go to Kali—she tended to curl up more tightly at night, always tucking her hands under her head or hiding beneath the furs.

Once all three pillows were finished, Athan gathered them carefully in his arms. The fabric was still warm from the sun, and the faint scent of feathers and smoke clung to them lightly.

He stood, brushing dust from his knees, and cast one last glance at the kilns. But everything seemed fine.

Crossing the clearing quietly, he slipped back into the bedding shelter he shared with the girls. The space was dim, and cool.

He knelt beside the shared fur and gently laid each pillow into place—one at each side, and one in the center. Simple, homemade, and soft. A little gift waiting for when they'd finally come to rest after a long day.

He adjusted the fur back over them, then stood again and stepped outside.

After leaving the pillows tucked beneath the bedding, Athan made his way back toward the kilns.

Once there, he stood and dusted off his hands.

His gaze shifted toward the edge of the brick area—where the second drying shelter now stood, newly finished.

The frame was up. The angled roof cast a wide shadow across the packed earth, and fresh racks lined both sides of the interior.

He made his way over slowly.

Yun and Wade were crouched near the side, adjusting one of the support beams, tapping it gently with a stone mallet and wedging a flat chip of wood underneath to steady the base. They had already remade the roof of the first one, the two man had clearly mastered the technique.

Ok stood inside the structure, arms crossed, examining the shelves with a critical eye. He reached up to check the spacing between two racks, muttered something under his breath, then nodded once to himself—satisfied.

Athan stepped up beside them. The earthy scent of fresh-cut wood lingered in the air.

"Looks good," he said quietly.

Yun looked over his shoulder and gave a short grunt. "Will hold strong."

Wade nodded. "No lean. All straight."

Ok turned toward him, his face calm but proud. "I make shelves same like you first. Little better maybe."

Athan stepped closer and ran a hand along the frame. The beams were tight, the joints clean. The roof sloped just right to shed rain.

"You did great," he said. "All of you. Thanks."

Ok nodded again. "We build fast now."

Athan smiled faintly. He could already picture the next batch of bricks lined up under this roof, drying in rows. Twice the output. Twice the progress.

As Athan stepped back from the shelter, he spotted movement near the clay pit.

Lara and Kali were pushing the wheelbarrow back toward the new structure, both of them a bit dusty, but grinning as they approached. Lara wiped her brow and looked up at the new shelter.

"Finally," she said with a small, satisfied smile.

Kali didn't slow down. She grabbed a handful of fresh bricks from the ground and started stacking them gently onto the new racks, making sure to leave space between each.

"You already started?" Athan asked, surprised.

Kali looked up proudly. "Lara do new bricks. I flip old ones. All dry on top now."

Lara nodded. "We keep it going. Not too fast. Just steady."

Athan looked at them both, and his chest swelled a little. They weren't just helping—they were working like they owned the task now.

"You're doing great," he said warmly. "Seriously. Thank you."

Kali shrugged. "Better than pulling logs."

Lara smirked. "You say that until we have to move them again."

Athan chuckled. Then, after a short pause, he glanced toward the kilns. "Can I ask a favor?"

Both girls looked at him.

"Can you two keep an eye on the kilns for me? Just make sure the fire stays strong. I'm going with the builders. We're starting the bridge today."

Kali gave a small nod. "We watch it."

Lara added, "You go. We've got this."

Athan gave them a grateful nod, then turned and waved to Ok, Yun, and Wade, who had already gathered a few tools and followed him toward the wall.

They walked together in silence, the river's sound growing louder as they approached the far edge of the camp.

Standing at the extremity of the wall, Athan looked across the narrow river. The current was slow here, and the gap—maybe five meters wide—was passable with long timber. But before anything else, they needed access.

"The first step," he said, turning to the men, "is a path. Clear the trees. Shrubs too. We make space to work."

The three men nodded without question.

Yun and Wade moved off first, each pulling their stone axes free, while Ok began clearing thick underbrush with short, powerful swings. Athan followed, pulling his own carved knife from his belt. It wasn't made for cutting trees, but it was sharp enough for smaller branches and creeping roots.

The work was steady and repetitive—cut, pull, toss aside. Bark peeled away. Shrubs were uprooted and stacked. Fallen logs were rolled off the path. Sunlight poured through the new clearing in thin beams.

It took about two hours, but by the end of it, the river's edge was fully open.

A wide, clean path now stretched along the village wall to the water's edge—just wide enough to carry wood, drag trees, or move a cart if needed.

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