Cora slept extremely well that night, and as she lied there that morning, the fresh sun barely lighting her room, Ludovic filled nearly every thought. Cora replayed the way he looked at her the previous night, over and over. And the way his hands felt in hers, or how she was aware of how much larger he was...there was something so inviting about that, never having seen someone quite like him before.

Cora was shameless in her thoughts, moving her head on the feathered pillow to glance to the right of her. She wondered what it would be like to wake up to such a male like Ludovic, to sleep next to someone so powerful.

I am utterly hopeless.

Cora sat up, getting out of bed and shivering as she put on the clothes she had from the day before. When she put on the leather boots, a knock came to her door. "Yes?"

"It's Hilda."

"Oh, come in."

The aged witch entered, and while she still looked like she needed a fresh set of clothes, she also looked well-rested. "How did things go last night, with the Alpha?" Hilda asked, walking over and sitting on her bed.

Cora looked away almost immediately, smiling and then letting it fade as she didn't want to give away too much. "I tended to his hands. He told me that I didn't have to do that, and that he would take care of me anyway." Cora paused, and then smiled, looking down as she said, "He isn't against me as his Omega, I don't think. At least, I think he sees the merit in it. So, it's good news all around."

"Well, at least he is better than Theran," Hilda said with relief, shaking her head. "I wasn't really going to let you go to him, you do know? I would have figured that out, one way or another. Witch's are known to be crafty for a reason."

Cora yawned and rubbed her eye while she smiled. "Fortunately, we don't have to consider that. I'd prefer for us all to just relax and get used to this new life here. I want to just live a normal life with you and Ben."

Hilda's eyes gentled, looking Cora over. "I hope for that as well."

Hilda looked like she wanted to say more, and Cora was about to mention how there was nothing stopping them now, until she recalled Steigen. They both looked away and at the floor.

"So, did Ludovic confirm where you stand among this pack? What is our next move?" Hilda asked.

"He just let me know that he wants me to have space for now, and that he won't send me away to Steigen. He did refrain from placing me at his side...but, I think it was just to be respectful...because we definitely had a moment. It was small, but it was there," her grin rose ear to ear, "It's embarrassing how much my mind wanders with thoughts of him. I just met him," she said.

The sunlight caught the rogue hairs from Hilda's loose braid. "No...you are someone who has lived a very solitary life. And Ludovic, even in my eyes, is clearly alluring. You will become attached very easily, I think," Hilda said, looking at Cora with a cautious gaze. "You do need to always remind yourself that you need to go slow. Don't let your heart get ahead of your mind."

Cora looked back at her hands, tilting her head, just ever so. "I know...I just...I can't help it. I spent all night replaying everything. I want him to want me. I want him to come for me, like I've heard lycans can do. I can't turn my mind off from those thoughts."

Hilda laughed, to which Cora let out a smile. Hilda said, "Oh my dear, I am so glad I no longer chase the follies of the heart. It can be such a lovely journey, but by the gods does it have a lot of stress."

Cora looked at her. "Did you once? Chase your heart into circle?"

Hilda's green eyes lit up. "Of course," Hilda's smile faded, and she looked ahead, "I never told you about Morphin, did I?"

"Who?" Cora asked, perking up. "No, I don't think so."

Hilda looked down at the floor with a gentle curl of her lips. "We were together for a long time. Us witches live longer than humans, you see, and I am somewhere around a hundred and forty, as you know."

Cora nodded, watching Hilda closely, who continued to stare at the floor. "I lost Morphin just before I met your family. He and I had been together for over a hundred years," she said, glancing at Cora finally, her green eyes so heavy.

"You what - wow. A hundred years?"

She took in a deep breath, giving a single nod. "A hundred years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him."

Cora frowned. "Why didn't you tell me about him before now?"

Hilda moved her head back and forth as if cycling through replies. "It is hard to, I suppose...I bring him up, though, because I want you to know that I know what it's like to become enamored. I got lucky with mine. I saw Morphin when I was twenty-one. He was so handsome, and so machismo, yet such a gentleman," she said, furrowing her brows and shaking her head with a wide grin. "He just swept women off their feet, and being a Sorcerer, it only added to his mystery" -she laughed-"And then he saw me. And I saw him. He traveled a lot and was no stranger to battle, and was the quite the lady's man. I could have easily gotten my heartbroken, but he loved me."

Hilda put a hand on Cora's and looked at her. "The heart is powerful, Cora. And you are so, so new to this world. While Ludovic is probably the best option we have, you need to learn him and know him. To meet his family. All of it. If you let your heart fly away like how I let mine with Morphin, it might not have a happy landing."

"You think that will happen?" Cora asked with a frown.

Hilda removed her hand. "If you were an ordinary woman, I'd say to just be careful and enjoy it. But you're an Omni," Hilda tilted her head to lower her gaze, "and you haven't even met the powers that lie inside of you. You carry a heavy responsibility, including guarding your own heart. Make someone earn it, for it is already precious thing to give, but even more so now."

Cora sighed, yawning once more, pressing her lips together as she stared at the wall. "I suppose that makes sense," she groaned, not wanting to be responsible with something as sweet as being enamored with another.

Then again, if he ever ends up feeling the same way...then it won't matter at all.

🐾🐾

Cora was surprised to find that Mina had been incredibly busy planning an entire day for them.

They were to go to the hot springs, even with Ben. Apparently, the lycans were fond of the warm water baths and after years of altering the terrain with magic and hard labor, they created natural hotsprings with attached caves and all.

Cora went to fetch Ben, who wore thinner bandages that day. It was good to see him on his legs, although the two weeks of not moving already wore away at him. They decided to have a lycan carry him down the ten flights of stairs, so as not to overwhelm his body.

He only agreed when they told him tomorrow they could go for a long walk through the woods if he let them carry him today.

Roman offered to carry him, but Ben held reservations, seeing as how he looked so much like Nailan.

Instead, Ben got on the back of Asla after she made a joke that he thought was funny, although he still wasn't excited by the idea of being so close to a lycan.

Cora knew he'd be willing to do mostly anything to go - he liked warm baths more than she did, and she knew he was looking forward to getting outside.

As Cora watched Ben get on Asla's back, she eyed the sister to the Alpha with Hilda's words in mind, 'get to know Ludovic's family more.' Asla had a beauty to her that connected her relation to Ludovic, although Asla did not put it on display, maintaining a rough edge about her that Cora admired.

It was easy to forget that they were also related to Theran, whom she had been told left the territory sometime in the night, along with two other Clans. Cora thought that Theran left quite peacefully and even made a comment to Mina about it, but she rebuked that by explaining it had been a huge scene, some of the areas still volatile.

Being in Reiger's Edge just made it seem peaceful, as it had been designed to do so.

Ben was quiet the whole way down, and as they got to the ground level, Ben dismounted from Asla's back and hurried forward with shaky legs. He headed towards the grand entrance, the sun burning into the shadows of the carved halls. Once on the grass, Ben held his hand up to his exposed eye, the other still covered underneath a bandage. "This is huge..." he said with awe, looking up the cliff face and outward at the lake.

Cora eyed the Alpha's Forum as she stepped out into the sun, unable to believe that it had only been a few days since she was last there, pleading to Theran.

She squinted, the sun bright after being in the dark halls, and looked at Ben with a smile. "It really is," she said. She pointed to the break in the mountains where the fjord snaked away out of view. "I went there the first night. All the way through there. It's where their Seers live. The ocean is freezing, by the way. Remember how we used to talk about visiting it one day? I can't wait to show it to you."

"Why'd you go there?" he asked, his voice alive with curiosity.

She opened her mouth, but quickly realized she might not want to mention the shadow, the warnings, and the visions. "Just customary," she said with a slightly high pitched voice.

He didn't respond, but the smile on his face remained as he took the entire scene in. His awe and amazement was just another breath of relief for her. There is hope for him in living here.

"We should definitely see the ocean soon," he said, glancing back at her. He stole a double glance, his eyes losing some of their humor. "Your eyes are really red, but it's not a full moon tonight," he said, almost as if he questioned why, while also knowing the answer.

She sighed, looking around at the area. "Yes, it's a part of the magic of me being here," she said, shielding him from the truth once more, not mentioned drinking the serum.

Was it wise to tell him that she had already started her change? Wouldn't that just panic him more? He had just begun to heal and she didn't want to burden with the weight of their reality. Not yet.

He looked down with a heavy look, as if the weight of his thoughts pulled his smile down. He turned away and faced Hilda, who told him to get into a canoe while Mina stood by the entire time, watching carefully.

Hilda came over to Cora, who looked at her brother with a smiliar expression he had just given her. She could tell this would be a long process of him accepting this world, especially since he had been thrown right into it. A cloud passed over the sun, easing the stark light. Cora looked at Hilda who always seemed to know when her words were needed. "Don't worry, Cora. He talked to me...seeing you dressed like them scares him. I am sure the permanent red of your eyes will do the same. Until he settles in, at least."

"I don't want him to hate me," she muttered, looking at his back.

"We cannot control that. Ben is going through something incredibly tumultuous as such a young age. His father recently died, and now this. He is at an age that is already difficult, without any interruptions," Hilda said wearily. "We need to give him patience."

Cora gave a single nod and silently headed towards a canoe, the wooden seat warm from the sun but the boat itself cold. They were riding through the water for transport, as apparently the Forum -where they'd normally cross through on foot - was occupied by the Talons and Seers, debating their next steps, and managing the abrupt transition.

The ride was smooth and short, the wood gliding through the dark water like a warm spoon cutting butter. They got onto shore, Ben needing help with walking in the sand for the first time.

He wasn't a big fan of it either.

An open carriage awaited, and it looked like it might have normally been used to carry hay with specks of the dried grass all over. Mina sat close to Cora in the seats, while Roman, Walder and Asla walked on foot. Ben slumped down into his seat next to Hilda, stealing looks around in silence, taking it all in. His poor face hardened the first few times he saw lycans as wolves, a raw terror crossing his eye, as no doubt he was taken back to the night of his attack.

Cora didn't know what to do, as she wanted to help him, but wasn't sure how. Fortunately, that's what Hilda was here. The witch gave him words of strength while Cora gave him a reassuring smile.

It hardened a part of her, she could tell. When Ben was afraid, all she could see was her confronting Nailan and striking the lycan herself once she had her claws.

She had never burned with such a dark sensation of vengeance before, and she wasn't quite sure what to do with the emotion.

They passed by other humans either walking or on carriages, and Ben finally spoke. "So...there's humans here?"

Mina was quick to politely respond. "Yes, we usually would travel on all fours, but we are instead taking the servants road today, because, well, we obviously need to. Which means passing by a lot of humans today."

Ben glared at her. "Are they really servants?"

"What do you mean?"

"They choose to do all of this?"

Mina looked at Cora, who glanced at Ben. "They're not forced to be here, Ben. As far as I know, the humans here rely on the lycans for protection, kind of like how we relied on witches and Hilda back home."

"They do a lot of the labor," Ben said, crossing his arms.

Mina said, "And we do most of the fighting."

He lessened his glare before looking at the floor of the carriage. Cora leaned in, "I am sorry for him. He's...going through a lot."

"It's alright," Mina said with a reassuring smile. "I understand. I have a brother his age. He gets moody when we even lightly tease him. He used to love it two years ago. Now he turns into a raging ball of fury."

They both shared a knowing laugh, but Cora didn't want to laugh too much in case Ben was listening in.

For the most part, the ride was done in silence, save for the breathing of the horse and trotting of passerbys. The trees provided relief from the sun, the carriage only stopping once they reached a steeper slope. The carriage driver said, "This is where I leave you."

They got out and began to walk up the slope, and at the top, Cora paused to take in the view. She didn't realize they were so close to a steep hillside, perhaps larger than a hill. Jutting out like balconies was land filled with large, rocky holes, steaming water rising out from them. Mountains lined the distance as trees towering over them. It was like terraced farming, except for warm baths and with magnificent scenery.

Despite Ben's impatience, he stared with an open mouth and awe. Cora wanted to nudge his shoulder with a smile, but she refrained and let him soak it in. She was just happy that he was pleased, and that there was a lot to distract him with here.

Thoughts of Steigen invaded her mind like a clap of thunder to remind someone that the storm was far from over, especially as she eyes his bandages. Her heart raced thinking about that confrontation, and she looked back around, trying not to let anxiety get the best of her.

In that, she realized she needed to create a secondary plan with Hilda in case everything went wrong. There was no way she'd let Ben suffer more than this, and she needed a way out for him if things got too dangerous.

Ben, who was luckily lost in this world before him and unaware of anything else, finally said, "This is amazing."

Mina neared Ben. "I thought to bring you here, so it can help with your injuries. The waters have healing properties and can help you feel better."

Ben pressed his lips together and didn't respond, although gave her a tepid nod.

"Thank you, Mina," Cora said with slight exasperation, as if to subtly show Ben that he should have thanked her properly for this.

"I hope you like it," Mina said.

"How are they warmed?" Ben asked, taking a step forward once Asla began to lead the way.

Mina said, "Well, we ensured the rock around is extremely warm, especially underneath. It warms the water within."

"Through magic?" Ben asked, carefully stepped down the stone steps.

"Something like that," Mina said.

The stone path veered off in two directions, and Ben was taken with Roman to a men's area.

Ben looked at Cora and Hilda with wide eye. "I don't want to separate."

Hilda reassured, "It's alright, Ben. We trust Roman. He really has taken great care of you."

From behind Ben, Roman said, "Yeah, plus I brought extra bandages for when we get out. I'll help clean the wounds up more. This will really help with any scarring."

"It will?" Ben asked, his fear diminishing as he faced Roman.

"You bet. We even got Walder with us," he said, nodding to the silent brute, "He'll follow us. Pretty much no one will come near us with him close by."

A moment of panic remained in his expression before his face hardened. "I can do it. I am not afraid," he said, as if everyone but him needed that reassurance.

Cora watched Ben walk away with Roman and Walder before following Asla, walking down a small trail that many bushes and trees covered like thick walls, hiding another hot spring. This one had a cave attached, the water extending all the way in there. Mina spoke with Asla along the way, then addressed Cora, "Hey, just confirmed with Asla that after this, we are going to a training area to start learning how to fight."

"Wait, what? Seriously? Today?" Cora asked, surprised and slightly excited at the sudden news, her pulse quickening.

Mina looked between Cora and the stone stairs they descended as she talked. "Asla said she doesn't want to waste a lot of time, and getting the body relaxed and loosened will make for a good day of training."

"Yeah...yeah, alright," Cora said with a half-smile, nodding to herself.

While she hadn't expected that, she was also ready to prove her worth, and to show that she could be strong.

In fact, the more she thought about it, the more excited she got at the prospect of it.

After undressing, Cora slid into the warm water and was embraced by the steam. They had this area all to themselves, which Cora couldn't tell if it was because Asla gave them special access, or because Cora was an Omni. Either way, it was far too large to only be filled by the four of them.

Cora dipped under water to wet her hair, facing Mina when she resurfaced, greeted by the sounds of nearly five different birds in the trees around. It was truly a scene thay she needed after everything they went through. It was so relaxing. "Thank you so much, Mina. This was a wonderful idea."

Mina ran a hand over her shoulder, splashing water on it. "Yeah, well, I owe you for standing up for me to Theran," she said, her dark eyes stern.

"That monster deserved what came to him," Cora hotly replied, her lip still hurt from where he smacked her.

She didn't want to talk about it, however.  The fear that she felt from a night ago resurfaced, having never felt so hopeless and powerless in her life as to when she actually believed she was going to Steigen. Just even thinking about it made her heart race like it was happening all over again.

Cora redirected the conversation and nodded towards the dark cave behind them, a few torches lit to reveal it rounded a corner. "What's in the cave?"

"I think that connects to the Alpha's area," Mina said, leaning over to look. "I think Ludovic might be in there, though. I think it connects through, anyway. I've only been here once."

Her breathing deepened, her intrigue growing. "Oh really?" she quietly asked, imagining him in the warm waters.

"I think so. It's why there are more guards today. I thought it would be a good day to go since there would be extra protection. You might not have known it, but on the way here we have nearly fifty wolves in the woods trailing us. I told them to keep a distance, so as not to overwhelm Ben."

Cora opened her mouth and let out this tiny sound of a huff and 'aw' mixed together. "You really thought this through, Mina," she said quietly. "I owe you so much for this."

"Oh, no it's fine," she said with a chuckle. "You're the Omni. And I saw how Ludovic looked at you last night. Your protection cannot be taken lightly."

"Does he know I am here?" Cora asked, looking back at Mina with a new excitement. Hilda listened in the background, and Asla relaxed with her eyes closed.

"Yes. I had to get permission to bring you. Until you are turned, it really is unwise to let you go anywhere without him knowing."

Cora's awareness that he was here, and knew she was too, made her mind race with thoughts that only deepened her infatuation with him. It was a shallow infatuation too, as she knew she hardly knew the lycan, but it was nearly impossible to reign in her mind that weaved together these images and possibilities.

She looked back at the cave. "So if that cave connects to his area, does he just stroll into the female's area often?"

"No, they're just connected. This is technically the Omega's hot spring, which connects to the Alpha's. We don't often split people up like this, but honestly, it's the best for the sake of drama. Some lycans can be possessive, especially when we are nude like this, in such a relaxing environment. People get comfortable, and that leads to flirting," Mina said, speaking with her hands, "which then leads to lycans getting hot headed...it can be a mess."

"Fascinating," Cora said, not sure what else to make of all of that, finding it both concerning and quite interesting, while also understanding it.

Mina added, "Most times we are not that dramatic, but our human side can get the best of us. Theran reminded me of a human in every way," Mina said, relaxing against a stone wall. "Drama doesn't survive here like that, which is why hardly anyone fought for Theran. We operate as groups and cannot afford such drama. Although, Clans can have drama between the others, especially if they feel wronged by one. It's confusing, but you'll get it in time."

She thought of Ben as her pack, or Clan, and of wanting revenge against the Ashmores. She understood how these creatures could fall into holes of petty violence that way.

"How are they not always at odds with each other?"

"The Alpha and his Omega. The Alpha has to be strong, which is why you're an interesting candidate for Omega. However, that's where Ludovic will be picky...he will want to ensure you'd be a good fit -- not that I'm not saying you won't be, but just that he has to ensure it's a roll you can handle. It comes with immense responsibility."

Cora perked up, as if standing taller in the water would help in some way.

It was the first time she had considered her position among them. Or at least, prior to being here, she couldnt appreciate what that would entail. But now she understood that this would effect so many others; that she could effect so many others.

And all the while, she had Steigen Pack in the background, knowing Grimshaw would come for her. How could she expect these lycans to fight for her? Some would no doubt die trying to fight off Grimshaw.

She sighed, not sure how she wanted to handle that. "Well, I'm glad we are learning to fight today. I want to toughen up. I'm every way. Tell Asla not to go light on me," Cora said, thinking to her father and mother who fled Steigen lands.

If they could flee that life and adjust, then so could Cora. She could harness whatever power was inside of her and learn to become one of them.

Mina gave a sardonic chuckle. "Oh I doubt Asla would do anything less. You will probably need to come back to these after to soak your muscles once again."

"That's a far walk," Cora commented.

Mina frowned and spoke to Asla in Dånesh, to which Mina's brows rose and she looked at Cora like she just learned something interesting. "Asla says if you need it, you can just use the springs in Reiger's Edge."

"Why didn't we do that today?" Cora asked, not quite catching on to what seemed so interesting about that.

"She says we are here because Ludovic was here today, and he wants you close until the issues with Theran and the transition are settled."

"Makes sense...so where are the hot springs at in the Edge?"

"There's only a few. One at the very top with the Alpha, but another near the Lavorna, or the war room, where the Alpha tends to reside when he's moving around frequently," Mina said, raising her brows, adding, "it's where Ludovic is currently residing."

"Oh," Cora said quietly, understanding now.

Asla spoke once more, her eyes still closed and speaking with her hands. Mina slightly choked on a chuckle. "Asla says that he is not unaccustomed to pretty females in his hot spring, so he should be fine with it," her humor faded the more she spoke, "But Asla will require you to soak in the healing waters for the next two weeks, as she will not go easy on you. She is to make an Omega and Omni out of you, so that's what she'll do."

Mina glared cautiously at Cora, who swallowed like there was an actual lump in her throat. She wanted to be scared by that, as honestly she had never trained in such a capacity before. Chewing on her lip, she tried to think of a response.

But thoughts of Ben's face crossed her mind, reminding her that she was now in a world of fangs and claws. It would hurt. It would absolutely hurt...but it would be worth it. With defeat and dread, she sighed. "Alright. I'll do it. I want to be ready for anything."

She was nervous saying that, as how could she not be? Cora always knew she'd have to rise to some level of challenge, but now that she was inches away from it, she dreaded getting any closer to that edge. Quietly, she asked Mina, "I'm going to hate my life, aren't I?"

Mina gave her a sympathetic nod. "Probably. But you'll be better for it."

Eventually, they got out to air dry before putting on the rest of their clothes, Cora putting on her undergarments, not used to standing around so naked. Meanwhile, Asla strutted about perfectly happy with herself.

"I'm gonna go change over here. Less steamy. My skin is just so wet still," Cora said, walking around a tall tree where the air cleared up, Mina giving her a quick nod. The cooler air nipped at Cora's skin, the hairs on her arm rising, but it felt good none the less.

She walked a few steps further, just taking in the grandeur of these forests before she readied her dress. She paused when she heard a male's laugh. She glanced through the trees to realize that could see an open area with the males in it, as she was higher up in the rocky, densely forested terrain.

She was about to look away, realizing it was probably from the connected waterway through the caves. But then she spotted Ludovic. Her gaze lingered on him, looking at the way he relaxed in the hot spring, just as she imagined in her mind.

Perhaps what she liked most was how out of everyone, she had never expected him. She always anticipated that she'd have to compromise heavily, but he seemed prime, and she couldn't believe that she had a chance to be a part of his life.

Get strong, then. Fight for your place here. There are other Omni's, you have to remember.

"Cora, come down from there," Mina said. "I didn't know you're wandering over there. That's a spot where you can see down to the males. Anyone standing is there is considered a creep."

Cora stole one last glance at Ludovic, who looked up through the trees. Cora's heart fluttered, and he turned his head to face her. She swore she saw him raise a brow as if to challenge what she was doing.

She looked away, blood rushing to her cheeks and she didn't have to be told twice to return to Mina. "Ludovic saw me," she muttered, adrenaline making her hands shake.

Mina lightly rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "He probably heard me."

"I genuinely had no idea he was there," she said, hastily putting on her dress. "I just...I don't know. I didn't expect to see him there."

Then, she felt bad for watching when he thought he was in privacy. In truth, he just captivated her, especially with how she trusted him after everything. It was no excuse, but she had sort of grown up watching others from afar, always peeking through the windows of her home or from behind trees, just so no one would see her eyes.

To her relief, Mina chuckled. "It's fine. If he asks, just say you know now not to wander over there."

"You should plant more trees there," Cora said with embarrassment, putting on her sandals.

"We just avoid it. I mean, it is the Omega's area, that is also the Alpha's. It's not like they'd be surprised to see each other naked."

Cora shook her head with a slight chuckle, putting on her dress before they walked back to Hilda and Asla.

Asla tied her leather pants, asking something while looking at Mina with furrowed brows, glancing at Cora, whose cheeks warmed once again, wondering if Asla asked what she was doing over there. Hilda listened in carefully, braiding her hair.

When Mina finished speaking, Asla's stolid expression broke into a laugh, shaking her head.

"I told her what happened," Mina said cautiously.

"What happened, exactly?" Hilda asked, her tone rising.

Mina said, "Cora didn't realize an area up there overlooks the Alpha's. Ludovic caught her just as she was looking."

Hilda's brows raised. "Oh, dear."

"It's so embarrassing," Cora said.

Asla spoke, looking direcrly at Cora. Mina translated, "She says to own it. Ludovic likes a confident female, and it was a genuine mistake," Mina chuckled, "She said it probably just went to his ego."

That made Cora laugh, and she gave a nod towards Asla, appreciating that she made Cora feel better. She also found it entertaining to hear someone speak about him, well, like a sibling would.

As they walked through the small trail, Mina and Asla exchanged a quick conversation, to which Mina said, "Asla wants to go ahead and head there, so if Hilda wants to wait for Ben, that would be fine. Roman and Walder know where we are going, so you'll meet us there."

"They won't take us back to the Edge?" Hilda asked.

"Asla thinks that perhaps teaching Ben to fight, it might help."

Hilda was about to respond, but paused, looking at Cora. "It would be good for his anger."

"Yeah, let's do that," Cora said, wondering if it would help. "Or at least, just ask him. If he wants to go back to the Edge, let him, as long as Hilda is with him. If we wants to train, he can absolutely come."

Asla's grey eyes revealed that she was pleased. "Gona. Vamayarra anti Ludovic."

Mina said, "She said, good, that we should go before Ludovic gets there."

"He's going too?" Cora asked with a high pitch to her voice, wondering how many more surprises she could take for a day, taking cautious steps up the stone stairs.

"She said he doesn't miss a chance to go, as they spar often there, and again you'll not journey far without his presence," Asla spoke once more and Mina echoed, "And apparently, he might even involve himself."

Cora's heart thudded like one of the woodpeckers in the trees. "Like...train me himself?"

Mina gave a knowing smile. "I think so."