Sonder left the beastfolk with a final and quiet curtsy.
Even covered in dust, dirt, cuts, and bruises, with her expensive robe stained beyond saving, a fact that annoyed her more than she thought it would, she kept her manners intact.
The beastfolk watched her go, some lifting tired hands in a wordless wave as she turned toward the northwest.
She would have liked to stay with them a little longer. Just a little.
But time pressed against her like a hand that would never let her rest.
Every moment she lingered felt like a moment slipping beyond reach, wasted on nothing, something she could never reclaim.
So she went.
The forest now seemed gentle and peaceful. The only dark that was around here was in Sonder's possession, safe and secure.
Her steps rustled through the underbrush, and eventually she found a stretch of flatter ground where the morning wind moved softly through the pines.
There, she felt safe to inspect the staff; her staff.
It was lighter than she expected. And it was too long for someone her size.
The bloodhound's brother stood considerably taller than her
It was a straight piece of wood, smoother than she had expected.
Near its top the bark had hardened into blackened ridges, as if burned from within.
And there, near the crown, was the empty place where the shard used to sit.
Cold. Hollow.
She brushed her fingers across it.
She didn't want to break it.
Nor did she want to throw it away in the woods or any other place like it was something shameful.
Its story had been tragic, but it wasn't evil in itself. Neither had been the one abused by the shards' power.
And besides… carrying it felt right.
Not just for sentimental reasons, though those were strong enough.
But because it made her look, just a little, more like a wizard. It gave her more authority.
Vell had a staff too. One dear to him, but it was broken now.
She didn't even know where the pieces were, scattered, lost, maybe buried under the ruins of the palace of Irath.
When Vell would wake again, she would have to tell him that his staff was gone.
That thought and many others sat in her chest like a stone.
She tightened her grip on the staff.
It was something to fill her empty hand, at least for now.
Then Sonder exhaled, long and loud, and let the thoughts settle, and continued northwest, into the shifting green and the uncertain road ahead.