Chapter 640: A forest divided
A full bowl of meat broth with dry flatbread soaked in it was a substantial meal. After eating it, Riva felt warm and more or less full, but with something this delicious, he reckoned he could easily put away another three large bowls.
But with so many people sharing, even the two extra pots they cooked only allowed everyone one bowl-except for the nobles.
Riva knew his place perfectly well. Once he finished, he carefully approached the fire to return his bowl, then prepared to move a few steps away.
He had heard that nobles were rather particular about cleanliness and disliked sitting with commoners. Besides, Riva had barely bathed since autumn began.
Goys watched this lowly commoner with interest. Seeing that he was about to leave, he spoke.
"Sit over here. You can warm yourself by the fire."
"All right!"
Riva agreed instantly and sat down on the ground nearby, though he still kept some distance from the great noble.
He held his hands toward the fire, its warmth making him feel wonderfully comfortable.
These noble lords might be wasteful, but the advantage of such a roaring fire was that it made this spot especially warm.
At the edge of the Western Wastes, the autumn wind in the mountains was particularly cold and damp after nightfall. Even beside the fire, Riva still felt a chill whenever the wind swept across his back.
"What were you measuring against the stars just now?"
At Goys's question, Riva made it clear that he would hold nothing back.
"I was comparing the stars. I remember exactly where yesterday's shooting star passed. If I draw a straight line using the Southern Star and Northern Star, then compare it with a few dimmer stars that don't have names but stay