Torvald chuckled, his massive hand deftly turning the skewer over the fire, the savory aroma of roasting meat filling the air. “No one goes hungry ‘round my fire,” he declared, pulling the skewer free and tearing off a generous chunk of the sizzling venison. He handed it to Elias, the portion dwarfing the smaller man’s hands, then took an even larger piece for himself. “Dig in, lad. Ain’t fancy, but it’s good.”
Elias hesitated only a moment before sinking his teeth into the warm, juicy meat, the rich flavor bursting across his tongue. He hadn’t realized how ravenous he was until now, and he tore into it with relish, grease smearing his chin. “Gods, this is good,” he mumbled between bites, glancing up to see Torvald grinning, already halfway through his own portion, his massive jaw working heartily.
“Aye, nothin’ like a proper feed to set you right,” Torvald said, licking his fingers with a satisfied smack. He leaned back against a boulder, the firelight dancing across his broad chest, his relaxed posture making the furs beneath him shift. The two ate in companionable silence for a while, the crackle of the fire and the distant hoot of an owl the only sounds in the night.
Elias finished his portion, wiping his hands on his trousers, his stomach comfortably full for the first time in days. He glanced at Torvald, who was gnawing on a bone with a contented hum. “Thanks,” Elias said softly, meeting the giant’s eyes. “Didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
Torvald waved a hand dismissively, tossing the bone into the fire. “Think nothin’ of it, lad. Now…” He stretched, his massive arms flexing as he yawned, the motion making the furs slide slightly. “Fire’s dyin’ down, and I reckon we oughta get ready for bed. Been a long night, eh?”
Elias nodded, suddenly aware of the weight of exhaustion settling over him. “Yeah, sounds good,” he said, glancing around the camp. “Where, uh… where should I sleep?”
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