That night, sleep would not come. Aria lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, reviewing every aspect of the presentation. The structure was clear in her mind. Begin with foundational restoration techniques. Demonstrate with the volunteer they had arranged. Present the collaborative research from Lakeshire showing advancement beyond basic restoration. Address anticipated questions and concerns.
Simple. Straightforward. Backed by evidence and results.
She should have felt confident. Instead, she felt the weight of everything riding on tomorrow. Not just her own reputation, though that mattered. But the future of restoration work across the continent. If the Assembly rejected her methods, victims would continue suffering. Healers would not learn the techniques. The network she had built would struggle without continental recognition.
She finally slept near dawn, dreaming of pathways and light and voices asking questions she could not answer.
