The man stands up once more and sits down next to the woman. He accepts the fish and immediately takes a bite. After some chewing he let's out a loud burp. [b]"Pardon."[/b] With a raised eyebrow he follows the gaze of the woman to the mouth of the cave. [b]"You mean the darkness of night? Well, if the old stories hold any truth, it might actually be a beast. The old Halia, casting her cloak of dark fur over the world. But who really knows?"[/b] The man throws the skewering stick in the fire, where it lands in the sizzling flames, their only source of light this dark night.

The man holds out his hands to the fire to warm them. When he opens his mouth once more he speaks with a calm but steadfast voice. [b]"Listen, Shan, I'm sure we'll be able to return one day. They can't hunt us forever. One day we won't have to run anymore."[/b] He looks at her with vigor in his eyes. This is what he actually believed in and nothing would sway him of that.