Soon, Lucien and the others regrouped in Aurion.
Lucien placed the newly accepted people inside his divine energy core.
He did not simply leave them there unattended.
Morveth took charge of the immediate organization, while Seren and the other Liberators helped calm them, explain what Lootwell actually was, and answer the same frightened questions that kept rising in different forms.
What kind of place is it? Will we be forced to serve? Can we still leave later? Will our children be safe?
Seren handled those well.
Inside the city, Dawnbinder received them without delay.
The difference in the ancient beasts was visible at once.
Before the campaign, the newer ones in particular had carried themselves with the contained stiffness. Their auras had been suppressed, cold, and reserved.
Now, after finally acting in the world rather than merely discussing it, they felt different.
More alive.
Even the way they stood had changed.
