At the center stood Taren, the boy from Willowreach, who they had met in the marshes with his face beaming.
Beside him was a girl, maybe fourteen, her dark hair were tied back, her eyes were bright with gratitude.
"You saved our village," Taren said, rushing forward to hug Kelvin, his small frame trembled with emotion. "This is my sister, Lila. She is safe because of you."
Lila stepped forward, her voice was soft but steady. "Thank you. All of you. Willowreach is rebuilding, and it is because you stopped the zombies."
Kelvin's chest was warmed, the weight of their mission was lifted slightly. "We are just glad that you are okay," he said, ruffling Taren's hair.
Darius smiled and knelt down to meet Taren's gaze. "You gonna be a tamer one day, kid? Got a beast picked out?"
Taren's eyes lit up. "A firewolf, like Xerion!" Lyra laughed, a rare, unguarded sound. "Good choice. Train hard, Taren."
