Chapter 32: Father and Son
The next day felt stagnant, the wind roaring against the huts in a wild outraged, as if even the gods despise today. Everyone carried stoic faces to mask their feelings, the hunters’ grip tightening on their lances as they got ready to guide the chief and his son.
Astra watched as everyone made way for them, a path outside the village, her eyes landing on Belk’s gaze—it was downcast, hooded in the shadow of sorrow.
"It might rain today..." She murmured to herself, looking towards the clouds, "Meaning the gunpowder will be useless..."
She bit her lip, her brow furrowing in concern for the future, only to be brought back by the sound of footsteps coming to a halt.
"What? Not going to tend to your stand?" Belk quipped, causing her gaze to snap to him. How could he crack jokes at a time like this—her hands turned into fists as she wiped her eyes. The boy took on more of a somber look on his face, realizing it might be a bit much.
"You better win this," Astra muttered, looking at him through her unshed tears. "If you ruin my plans cause of this, I’ll never forgive you!"
Her breath hitched on her own words, looking down to her tightening fists, the sound of the strain stretched between them. "I need you to promise me..."
"Sorry..." Belk smiled, his soft words causing her heart to drop as the wind picked up speed, those were not the words of confidence she wanted to hear, her breath picking up slightly in anticipation.
’Why, why now,’ She thought, raising her head slowly to see his somber almost sorrow–filled smile.
"But I can’t make any promises, not right now," His hand lightly pushed out towards her, his fingers folded to a fist.
Astra stared down to his hand in disbelief, biting her lower lip before colliding her fist with his.