Together, they walked into the frost-covered forest. The trees there were smaller near the edges, but deeper in, the trunks grew thicker and taller.
Eira pointed ahead. "You take down the small ones. I'll handle the big ones."
Keal nodded and walked toward a cluster of saplings. It was his first time cutting trees, and the axe felt heavy in his hands. He swung it clumsily, the blade only biting a little into the wood. His breath fogged in the cold air as he struggled.
Meanwhile, Eira moved with confident ease. Her axe swung with power and precision, striking deep into the thick trunk of a large tree. Within moments, the tree groaned and fell with a heavy crash onto the snow.
Keal paused, watching her. She was calm, focused, and strong—so strong that it made him forget about the cold or his own exhaustion.
How powerful she is… he thought, eyes wide with quiet awe.
Eira looked over at Keal and smiled. "Aren't you cutting the trees? Is it too hard for you?"
