More than an hour had passed since Heila discovered Ashlynn's disappearance. Briefly, the diminutive witch had considered recruiting Talauia to search for the missing Mother of Trees, but in the end, she decided against it. If Ashlynn had only been the Mother of Trees, then a member of the famed Glimmerwing clan who was also the Thistle Witch might be able to catch up to her. But to catch up to the Mother of Trees, who was also the Seneschal of the Harbinger of Death, would be too much to hope for, even for Talauia.
Fortunately, the days were growing very short as autumn prepared to yield to winter, and it wouldn't be long before Lady Nyrielle woke. Besides, at a time like this, Hiela was certain that the very best person to chase after Ashlynn was the woman she'd just become betrothed to.
