Valerie tied off the end of her braid and wrapped it around itself into a bun. She never really looked forward to the Celestial Festival, too many people, but now she had a purpose there.

Sophie and the others had reason to believe that the Neverseen would attack the festival.
Someone knocked at her door.

"Come in." She zipped the back of her simple black dress, the long sleeves covering her scarred arms.

She wore grey leggings and dark brown boots.
Wylie pushed open the door. "Are you ready?"
She tossed her cape over her shoulders and pinned it securely at the base of her neck. "Let's go."

They made their way to the Leapmaster and glittered away to Prism Peaks.
————
It was quite an endeavor to find the others in the massive crowd of people. The snow crunched under their feet as they patrolled the crowd.

Valerie ended up with Dex and Tam, walking through the mass of people. They kept their eyes open for anything suspicious.

Suddenly, Sophie's voice crashed through their minds. We need to regroup.

The three of them pushed between people back the way they had come, finally meeting up with the others.

Fitz stared at the device he clutched tightly in his hand. It was meant to track Alvar as he wandered the grounds of Everglen. With his amnesia, the council had ruled that he stay with his family. Alden and Della hoped that this could be a second chance for their son, but Fitz didn't trust his brother.

"What's going on?" Valerie suddenly realized that in the chaos she had grabbed Tam's hand so she wouldn't lose him. She hadn't let go when they stopped. She pulled her fingers free and tried not to meet Tam's gaze.

"Alvar's marker disappeared." Fitz spoke through gritted teeth.

"It's probably nothing." Sophie didn't sound like she believed her words.

Fitz clenched his free fist. "We have to investigate."

"What about the attack here?" Keefe pointed out.

"The Black Swan can handle it." Fitz was already pulling out his home crystal. "Besides, what if this is just a distraction? What if Alvar is their real plan?"

Valerie grabbed his wrist as he raised the gem to the light. "What if THIS is exactly what they want?"

"Why should I listen to their lab rat?" Fitz snapped.

"Fitz!" Sophie reprimanded.

Valerie pulled back. "It's fine. Let's just get this over with."

They joined hands Fitz held his home crystal to the light. The weak beam glistened on the snow as Fitz yanked them into the light.