The morning brought fresh snow and the promise of another day's hard travel. Xavier stood outside the waystation, watching Dalen organize the remaining survivors into their reduced formation. Three wagons now, eleven people total—a far cry from the twenty-five who'd left Vykengard.
"Thornslayer!" Dalen called out... "You and yours will ride with Efler again today."
Xavier nodded, then turned to find Naomi emerging... Behind her, Ashley gathered her gear, her face a mask of professionalism for the benefit of the others.
The reunion between the two women had been... intense.
Last night
"Naomi?" Ashley had frozen in the doorway of the Xavier's room. "Naomi Phillips?"
Naomi had looked up from her bowl of soup, spoon halfway to her mouth.
"Ashley? Oh my god, Ashley! You remembered!"
They'd collided in the center of the room, arms wrapping around each other.
