The quarters Andres gave me were on the edge of the fort. They were small but cozy, with a fireplace on one wall, a crude nightstand, and a small straw bed on the other. An open window overlooked the lake, letting a cool draft in.
Rylam left me alone there, promising to return after I'd settled. Once the door clicked shut, I used a spell to mend the damage to my dress and collapsed on my back onto the bed, my arms spread wide, my hair splayed across the sheets. The highs and lows of the last two days had left me completely drained, my tail too tired to twitch.
High Valley had been destroyed, and yet, it lived. Somehow, by some twist of fate, it had become a place of refuge and hope. I still didn't understand half of what was happening, much less why, but I could see that much. Slaves, refugees, soldiers... it was a haven away from Haven. Even the air held traces of the astral breeze, and the warm, soothing glow of starlight.
The only thing missing was Luke.
