Chapter 39 - All the Legends are True

Jake was sitting by himself beside the roaring bonfire, his face illuminated by the flames' swirling shadows. The only sounds in the night were the distant calls of night creatures and the sporadic rustle of leaves in the breeze. Jake had chosen seclusion while the rest in the camp were either fast sleeping or gathered around their own campfire. Less noise, less distractions, and less people attempting to strike up a conversation or ask questions he didn't want to answer, that was how he liked it best. Jake tightened his robe around his shoulders as the cool night air enveloped him. His mind was elsewhere, deep in a stream of ideas he never discussed, but his eyes remained stuck on the fire. The warmth of the fire stood in sharp contrast to the inside chill he felt inside. He became alert when he heard a faint stir behind him, his senses sharpened to someone approaching. He didn't look back since he could already tell who it was by her heartbeat, her footsteps, and the aroma of