then taking me by the hand she pulled me up and led me across to the fire , she had in her hand the arrow that was on the ground and without hesitation threw it into the flames , her eyes lingered upon it as it started to smoulder and char , she muttered something under her breath , the moment passed and turning we took our seats by the sides of our travelling companions and looked hungrily at the slices of succulent meat already piled onto a plate ready to serve .