The Fire-pit

The fire was well under way by the time that Dek and the other kids returned. The food was cooking, meat and fish and vegetables on the open flame. Salads had also been prepared, and a bread cooked and allowed to rise on the fire. The Rovers had gathered around the fire-pit and the food was distributed amongst all members of the group. As was their practice, the Rovers had enough left over for others who might come by needing a meal ... anything that was uneaten was stored and sealed for future meals or left out for animals of various kinds. The Black Butterfly Rovers let absolutely nothing go to waste.

"Father," Dek said to his father, when he sat alongside the older man.

"Son," his father replied, "are you up for performing tonight?"

"I believe so," Dek answered, "I had young Wen with me and had him up on my shoulders for part of the time."

"Just don't overdo it," Medoc said, "I know you are keen to get back into action, but you shouldn't overdo it."

"I won't," Dek assured him, "I know my limits."

"I don't think you do. In any case, I want you to just be careful. That's all," Medoc said.

"Well then, do you want your food," Dek asked his father.

Medoc grinned and clipped Dek across the shoulders, "of course I do, me boy, of course I do."

As they approached the fire-pit, they both heard Wen telling everyone about his adventures with Dek, "and then he lifted me on his shoulders as we recited part of the chant, then I jumped down and the people clapped us loudly. It was fun!"

"Was it fun for you as well, Dek," his father asked.

"Yep," Dek said, "I couldn't imagine any other life but that of a Black Butterfly Rover. How grand is this? How free are we?"

A cheer went up around the group at Deklitch's words.