The journey back to Myrrin's Hollow was more subdued than the road to it. The shadows had vanished, replaced by sunlight filtering through the trees to the forest floor. Birds flew back to the limbs. It sounded more like humming than howling, even the wind, which had lost its howl. Serakha took the lead, her tread being firm. The Onyx Wolf was no longer pacing behind- it was now walking at her side, still and steady. Lucian's hand hovered near his sword, but more from habit rather than fear.
They caught the attention of passers-by. A farmer bowed his head. A child waved from a tree. A merchant set an apple at the side of the path and said never a word. Serakha nodded back to each one, quietly.
"They can see you now," Lucian said as the trail swung around a curve.
"They see themselves," she answered. "They remember what was lost. And what's waking again."
