Irene and Henry returned to their shared room hand in hand. Silence had taken over as they fell into the contemplation that seemed appropriate after the news they had received.
With the risk of a wyrm coming further south that winter, they needed to act quickly in order to ensure the duchy remained protected. However, there were a handful of factors they couldn't merely get onto horses and rush north.
"Are you sure we shouldn't get the others now?" Irene asked. Although her voice was quiet, the concern was plainly evident.
"Those who didn't go up the mountain still winterized the valley in case monsters came down," Henry insisted. "They need to rest, just as I can tell that you do as well."
Irene sat down at the edge of the bed after pulling off the clothing she wore to go outside and was only left in a nightshirt, but she didn't lie down yet. A sigh fell from her lips.
