Paths Beyond (Under Rewrite)

"I'm back!" Grey shouted as he stepped through an animal-skin curtain into a modest wooden hut. A faint ember glowed in the center of the room, slightly dug into the earth, casting a warm embrace over him as he laid his quiver and bow near the entranceway.

"Welcome back," a young girl stoking the embers responded with a smile, turning to meet his gaze. "How did the hunt go? You're back so late. I was getting worried."

"I had to stop at Keen's smokehouse. We had a pretty big haul today," Grey explained as he pulled a slab of meat from his bag. "The rest will take a couple of days to cure, so I'll need you to head over there the next few days to bring it back. I'll be gone early tomorrow, so offer half a leg to the guys there—they'll help you carry it back."

"You're leaving again?" the young girl pouted. Her pine-green eyes reflected the amber glow of the fire, revealing a quiet loneliness. Her small frame huddled further into itself as one delicate hand reached for a couple of onyx-colored rocks.

"You just got back. Plus, you're not even supposed to be going out there. I've been here all day by myself, you know?" she lightly grumbled, starting to strike the rocks together over a pile of dry grass she'd laid on the bed of ashes.

Grey sat beside her, grabbing a thin, smooth stone as she rekindled the fire. He placed the lightly marbled steak on the stone and asked, "You didn't go out to play with the neighbors?"

"They were busy helping their parents, so no one could come out. Plus, it's too cold."

She had already started the fire, and Grey placed the stone evenly atop some sticks above it. Their movements were smooth, displaying their practiced hands.

As they instinctively began to prepare the meal, Grey observed, "That's right. Everyone's getting to the age where they start working with their families. Time sure flies, doesn't it?"

The girl didn't respond. Only the crackle of the fire and the faint hiss of the rock drying resonated in the room. Not all children worked in their family's trade; some trained in fields offered by close friends of their parents. These exceptions were rare and required trust. The purpose of these exchanges varied, but often it was simply because the son or daughter was unsuitable for the task their family was in charge of.

There was no need to accept strangers into the family just to give them something to do, especially for no benefit, and without such connections or immediate family, Grey knew Tear's future was uncertain. She would remain on the outskirts—alone and drifting among odd jobs while others her age learned their paths.

The meat began to sizzle, its fragrance sweeping through the room. An idea struck Grey.

"Hey, Tear?"

"Mm?" She barely acknowledged him.

With her silence broken, albeit only slightly, Grey continued, "I've been getting along pretty well with Keen and the others recently. He has one of the busiest smokehouses in the village. I can ask him to let you train as a preserver and I can offer him a couple of favors in exchange."

"Really? You think he'll agree?"

Grey hesitated but nodded. Keen had been the only one to formally accept Grey into his squad, but only after Grey proved himself. Sneaking out alone and bringing back plenty of supplies as a show of his abilities.

By offering favors and help, he believed he could secure a place for Tear to train. Not even mentioning the opportunity he had just given them earlier today.

Grey felt a little bad about lying to Tear about his total certainty, but seeing her hopeful smile warmed him more than the fire ever could. She'll be happier after spending her days socializing rather than sitting around alone and moping.