Ellis walked straight to the fire path at sunrise and every person working there stopped for a moment to watch.
I saw it from the center grass. Rowan was already stacking the morning wood. Ellis carried nothing but a calm face and open hands.
Julian stood beside me. “They came back.”
“They did.”
We did not move closer. The talk belonged to them.
Ellis stopped in front of Rowan. Their voice carried just far enough.
“I slept on the words. I want the next step. Clear yes. Words and body. Quiet way. No audience. If you still want it.”
Rowan set the wood down. “I still want it. Same rules. Either of us can stop. No running after.”
“Agreed.”
They walked together toward a shaded stretch of the water path where the ground was soft and private. No one followed. Kael kept the fire path work
