Bonfire

One morning in mid-October. It was around six.

Splash.

Allen woke to the sound of water being poured into the water jar.

"Morning, Papa."

"Oh, you're up."

For a long time, Allen hadn't been able to wake up early, but recently he'd finally learned to get up at six without an alarm clock. Rodan went through his morning routine.

"Here you are, dear."

"Thanks."

Telesia was up, too. She handed Rodan a burlap sack containing dried meat, dried sweet potatoes, and a leather waterskin. He slung it over his shoulder.

The living room with the hearth held an unusual sight: a pole about two meters long, with a large, thick blade attached to its end. It was a spear made for taking down boars. Rodan had carefully checked it the night before to make sure nothing was wrong. He'd borrowed it from the weapons shop on the eve of the hunt...