After settling the most urgent matters, Lucien went to Eirene first.
He found her in the central office with the same composed posture she always carried.
Lucien did not waste time.
"Sister Eirene," he said, "I'm leaving with sister Vivian for a while."
He did not need to explain further. Eirene had always been the sort to understand what mattered from the direction a thought leaned in before it fully arrived.
"I'll take charge while you're gone," she simply said.
Vivian, standing beside Lucien, gave her a grateful look.
Eirene's gaze softened for just a breath as it moved over the two of them.
"Be careful," she said. "Both of you."
Lucien smiled faintly. "We will."
Eirene inclined her head once.
"I'll keep things steady here."
That was enough.
With that, Lucien and Vivian departed.
•••
They crossed toward the Middle Continent using the Covenant of Pathless Sovereignty.
The Middle Continent spread vast beneath them when they arrived.
