As the sun slowly descended, the couple returned to the inn. The common room had begun filling with travelers arriving before nightfall. They secured a quiet table near the fireplace while the little fox curled up comfortably beneath Atheline's chair.
After ordering dinner, they spread the map across the table. Several candles illuminated the growing collection of notes. Neither spoke for several minutes; finally, Atheline broke the silence.
"We have five locations."
Lilith nodded.
"The northern marsh, the abandoned canyon, the old trade road, the mountain ridge, and the eastern forest."
She studied each mark.
"If we visited all of them, it would take weeks, maybe even longer." He leaned back thoughtfully. "The Goddess only showed us vague coordinates, and that frustrates me. It seems we were lucky with the blood ocean incident, having found it that quickly."
Lilith traced a finger across the map.
"Perhaps it's intentional."
He looked at her.
