The night passed slowly, and Katerin drifted in and out of rest. She had talked with Kieneltra for many hours, their conversation veering away from such heavy matters, and towards stories of their shared home city, of Kieneltra's siblings, her studies and interests.

When she cried, Katerin cried with her, and a spark of anger ignited in her at the world, for the cruelties it could show those who seemed to have so much love and talent to give.

Kieneltra had a surprising grasp of the way the world worked, and of magic, as well. She seemed kind, level-headed, and even through all she had witnessed she kept her chin up, and gave thoughts of giving up no heed.

Katerin awoke to a glimpse of the last bright rays of dawn. Sulea still slept, and it seemed the worst of the storm had passed. After she had woken enough to stand, she went outside the cabin, grabbed a fistful of snow, and rubbed it across her face. Fykes approached her, followed by Brazen and Kindra.

"So, what are we supposed to do with the princess?" Fykes asked, looking hesitant.

Katerin shrugged as she took the mug Brazen offered.

"Yeah," Kindra agreed. "She can't just go back to the city."

"She could, though I doubt she'll try. I invited her to Itrea. She needs a safe place."

Brazen smiled. "I was going to ask if we could."

"You don't have to ask," Katerin said. "It's your home, too... and Why're you asking me about all this?"

"Well, I heard you talking last night, and she seemed pretty shaken up. I didn't want to ask a bunch of questions." Fykes' mouth pinched at one side. "She seems to feel... a little more comfortable around you."

"She's a little wild," Kindra said. "I don't want to scare her."

"I think she's tougher than you're giving her credit for." Katerin smiled.

"Does she want to be queen?" Brazen glanced toward the cabin with a sad smile.

"I... don't know. All I know is that it is rightfully hers, or her brother's, if they still live."

The door to the cabin creaked open, and Arjiah peeked her head out. "Sulea's awake."

Katerin glanced across at her companions, but Fykes gently pushed her towards the door.

She made her way inside, spending only a second to knock the snow from her boots. Sulea was sitting up, hugging Kieneltra tightly. The look in Sulea's eyes were filled with care, and she brushed a stray blonde lock from Kieneltra's face.

Kieneltra looked close to tears before she stepped away.

A tinge of jealousy took over Katerin, as her mother's hand seemed reticent to let go of the princesses. Sulea was pale, with black circles under her eyes, and one hand hovering above her wound, as she sat up, supported by the meager pillows the cabin bed offered.

"How are you feeling?" Katerin asked, as she knelt next to her.

Sulea offered her no embrace, but she squeezed her hand. "I am alive, thanks to you."

"No. That was Arjiah. We got here as fast as we could." Katerin studied her, taking in every detail she could. The slight wrinkles around Sulea's eyes, the way their color seemed a little duller than last they met, the way her nose wrinkled as she spoke.

Sulea let out a pained smile. "That's the second time you've saved my life. I have to wonder if I am slipping."

"No," Katerin said. "You just have a tendency to take on too much."

"Have you?"

"Always," Katerin admitted.

Sulea looked away from her for a moment and raised her voice slightly. "If I could have a moment with my daughter?"

Everyone nodded and promptly left, though Kieneltra lingered a moment, with worry in her eyes. When they were alone, Sulea sighed, and laid her head back against the cabin wall.

"Once you're feeling good enough, we can leave. Kindra can carry you to a teleportation circle, and we can—"

"I can't go with you. I have to go home."

"You need to heal," Katerin insisted. "That wound..."

"Was a bad one. And one I cannot heal, here. The Faerlands will take care of me."

"I can take you home, then. Arjiah might have the ingredients I need to—"

"You need to take care of the princess. Kryrial will stop at nothing to find her, but he wants her alive. he's a dragon, Katerin. An old one."

"I know. I'll take Kieneltra to Itrea. Keep her safe until he's dealt with."

"He found a Reclaimer, Katerin." Sulea's kindness in the princess's presence had all faded, and her eyes shone bright, alert, and business-like.

Part of Katerin's heart ached to see that care that they had held before she had come in the cabin, but she pushed the desire away as she digested her mother's words. "Where?" she asked, as icy fear replaced bitter ache. She had known better than to think otherwise, but still the confirmation stung.

"I don't know. But the armies..."

"For the blood?" Katerin paled and rocked back on her heels. She exclaimed in elvish, and then in dwarvish. "How is that even possible? Byron had to collect all of that himself."

"I don't know. My paramount goal was the children, and I only was able to find Kieneltra."

Katerin was silent for a moment. "Does... does Lodyne have anything to do with this? If she does..."

Sulea looked at her questioningly. "Daughter, you can speak plainly."

"She speaks to me... when I'm awake.. sometimes its helpful, others just terrifying."

Sulea's eyes showed momentary horror, before it was lost to complete and unreadable composure. "As far as I know, these are Kryrial's own goals."

"When we last spoke of her, you said—"

Sulea held up a hand. "I cannot speak of her, Katerin. I cannot answer any of your questions." There was a coldness in her tone, so sharp that Katerin nearly shied away.

You don't want to, Katerin thought, keeping the bitterness from her face with a sharp inhale. "You don't have to worry about Kieneltra. I'll make sure she's safe."

"She's important, Katerin."

"Isn't every princess?" Katerin's attempt at humor was not wasted, for Sulea let a slight smile grace her lips.

"She needs kindness." Sulea groaned and leaned back on to the bed. "If you have to seek out Lodyne, go to Ilistrish. Enter the first tavern, and ask to see Iymbryl of the Illixian Guild. Once you meet him, tell him I sent you, and that he has my permission to tell you the secret of the... Repose. It..." Sulea clamped her mouth shut, as if she was in some immense pain. "Ilistrish," she said, finally.

"You can't just tell me this yourself?"

Sulea's eyes held no humor as she regarded Katerin, and Katerin sighed internally. Why did it seem as if everything was a test, and she had to work to even hear her mother's own past? Was it all a misdirection, a hope that she was not determined enough?

"Ask only him," Sulea said.

Katerin felt her heart ache, but she nodded her head.