Lamia gathered the dead branches and piled them up, while Qiqimora chanted a spell, took a deep drag of her cigarette, and then blew a big puff of smoke onto the kindling.
The ignition magic took immediate effect, and white smoke blew into the pile of kindling, sparking several flames and igniting the wood.
Soon, a bright campfire sprang to life by the lakeside, with Aiden and the two witches settling themselves around it.
Aiden took out a small knife and began preparing the fresh fish Lamia had caught from the lake, arranging them on a leaf-strung bed, with mushrooms and a variety of wild vegetables and fruits arrayed beside the campfire.
Having a bite to eat before the strategy meeting was Qiqimora's suggestion, after all the activity, they were all a bit hungry, except for Lamia, who had just eaten. The three of them hadn't brought any dry food. With some time still left before dawn, they simply used what was available, grilling whatever they could find to curb their hunger.
