The campfires burned low as the surviving hunters staggered into the clearing. The familiar scent of smoke should have been comforting, but tonight it felt heavy. The flames flickered weakly, as if the forest itself had drained their strength. No one spoke at first. They simply stood there, exhausted, wounded, and shaken in ways none of them could put into words.
Torren walked to the center of camp. His expression was calm, yet it carried a weight that pressed on everyone present. He looked around at the group, counting silently, and Daniel knew the exact moment he realized how many were missing. Torren’s shoulders fell the slightest bit. The others noticed too.
He cleared his throat. “Gather around. We need to list the fallen.”
The hunters formed a rough circle. No one wanted to sit. N
