The evening following our meeting with the Last Light Company, we returned to receive their decision. Bethiv, accompanied by Joel and Jackal, met us at the edge of their encampment. Behind them, dozens of officers and soldiers were arrayed, watching us dismount with grave expressions.
"Welcome back, my Lady," Bethiv greeted me with a salute. "I trust you have been well in the hours we were apart?"
I gave a self-conscious smile, glancing around. "Why the constant worry about me? I'm not the one camping in the forest."
He smiled in return. "Because you so often give cause for worry. An old habit, I suppose."
"Have you made your decision?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
His smile vanished. "We have. Turns out there wasn't much room for debate."
"Then you're going home?" I asked, my tail twitching with a flicker of hope.
He looked at me for a silent moment, and my stomach twisted with dread. No. He couldn't possibly have—
