The celebration started before they even left Soren's cave.
Someone outside had heard the coughing. That was all it took. One sound from a man who hadn't made a sound in two years and the news moved through the village faster than fire through dry grass.
By the time Neve stepped outside with Cael behind him the fires were already being built up larger. Someone had started dividing the stored meat from the day's hunt. A woman near the centre was doing something with dried fruit like a ritual and her hands were moving fast and happy. Children were running in directions that had nothing to do with going anywhere specific and everything to do with the specific energy of a village that had just gotten good news.
Neve stood at the entrance of Soren's cave and watched it all and felt quietly satisfied in a way he hadn't felt since arriving here.
