Dreamless sleep

As they walked back to their quarters, the darkness of the jungle seemed to close in around them, the sounds of the night growing louder. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, and the flickering torches that lined the path cast eerie shadows on the ground.

Their quarters were a simple but comfortable hut made of woven reeds and thatched with palm fronds. The interior was dimly lit by a single torch, and the air was thick with the scent of smoke and cooking food.

Rachel's stomach growled as she caught sight of the food laid out on a low table in the center of the room. There were steaming bowls of stew, made with a variety of meats and vegetables that she didn't recognize. There were also baskets of fruit and nuts, and a large jug of what looked like a sweet, milky liquid.

James and Lewis sat down at the table, and Rachel joined them, her eyes scanning the spread before them. "What's this?" she asked, pointing to a dish made with what looked like a type of root vegetable.

Lewis, who had been studying the Teku language, spoke up. "I think it's called 'kalo'," he said. "It's a type of sweet potato that's native to this region."

Rachel took a bite, and her eyes widened in surprise. The flavor was rich and earthy, with a hint of sweetness that was unlike anything she had ever tasted before.

James, who had been watching her reaction, smiled. "Not bad, huh?" he said.

Rachel shook her head, taking another bite. "It's amazing," she said. "I've never tasted anything like it."

As they ate, they talked about their meeting with the King, and the challenges that lay ahead. Lewis was concerned about the Rite of the Ancestors, and the potential dangers that they might face.

"I don't like it," he said, his brow furrowed. "We don't know what we're getting ourselves into."

Rachel reached out and put a hand on his arm. "We'll be fine," she said. "We've come this far, and we can't turn back now. We have to see this through."

James nodded in agreement. "We'll face it," he said.

As they finished their meal, Rachel stood up and stretched, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but she was ready to face it head-on.

"I'm going to get some rest," she said, yawning. "We have a big day tomorrow."

James and Lewis nodded, and Rachel made her way to the sleeping area of the hut. She lay down on the soft, woven mat.

As Rachel lay on her mat, the events of the day swirled through her mind. The meeting with the Teku King, the tense negotiations, and the looming Rite of the Ancestors all competed for her attention. Despite her exhaustion, sleep eluded her.

She turned on her side, watching the flickering shadows cast by the dying torch. The jungle outside was alive with nocturnal sounds - the chirping of insects, the distant call of night birds, and the occasional rustle of something moving through the underbrush.

Rachel's thoughts drifted to the challenges that lay ahead. What would the Rite of the Ancestors entail? The King had mentioned trials of strength, wisdom, and spirit, but the details remained frustratingly vague. She tried to imagine what sorts of tests a jungle civilization might devise, but her imagination fell short.

She pondered their situation.

A soft snore from across the hut broke through her reverie. James was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily. Lewis muttered something unintelligible in his sleep.

Rachel envied their ability to rest so easily. Her mind continued to race, analyzing every word and gesture from their encounter with the King. Had she said the right things? Made the right impressions? The fate of their mission - and possibly their lives - hung in the balance.

As the night wore on, Rachel finally began to drift off. Her last conscious thoughts were of home - the gleaming spires of the capital, the comforting routine of her duties, the family and friends she'd left behind. How different it all seemed now, in this primal jungle realm.

Just before sleep claimed her, Rachel made a silent vow. Whatever trials lay ahead, whatever dangers they might face, she would see this mission through. For the sake of her people, for the promise of new knowledge and alliances, and for her own sense of purpose, she would face the Rite of the Ancestors with courage and determination.

With that resolution firmly in mind, Rachel finally succumbed to exhaustion, slipping into a deep, dreamless sleep.