Their last stop before Frahein was Valdora, the City of Painted Sky, named after the colorful mist that hung above its waterfalls at dusk.
Here, Alira dragged them all into a bathhouse built from mineral stone and hollowed cliffs. The kind with open-air pools that overlooked the valley below.
Kaelen sank into the hot water with a groan. Derek actually smiled. Neal didn't even complain.
They let their muscles soak. Let the world drift away. They drank chilled fruit wine and watched the steam blur the stars above them.
It was quiet.
No roars. No orders. No monsters. No death.
Just a chill place to relax.
The way it was supposed to be from the very beginning had the war not broken out.
Two days and five teleportations later, they arrived at the outskirts of Frahein.
They have come back home.
The wilds were quieter here. The air carried the scent of pine and loam. A familiar breeze danced along the path.
