They walked in silence for a time. The canopy above filtered the light into soft gold. Roots twisted beneath their feet, and birds called in the distance.
After a while, Charlisa spoke, more to herself than to him. "I don't know why I'm here. One moment I was driving… and now this."
The beastman glanced at her but said nothing.
"I had a life back there," she continued quietly. "Not perfect. But I had books. Students. Tea every morning." She gave a shaky laugh. "Not much of a warrior or adventurer. Just a botanist."
She sighed. "Maybe I'm supposed to panic, but it's strange—I feel... calm."
The beastman stopped and turned to her.
He pointed to his chest. "Kael."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Kael… is that your name?"
He nodded.
She smiled. "I'm Charlisa." She placed a hand on her chest. "Charlisa."
Kael gave a small grunt of acknowledgment and continued walking.
They came to a fallen tree and he offered a hand to help her across. She accepted, surprised by the warmth of his furred palm.
"Thank you, Kael," she said.
He gave a single nod. Then, quietly, in low accented Common, he murmured, "Safe now."
The words hit her harder than she expected.
"Yes," she whispered. "I think I am."