Despite the dead of night and its foreboding darkness, there was a gaiety to the atmosphere that almost diverted their attention from the impending doom.
While the townsfolk moved around fulfilling their tasks, Lucien wandered about, questioning them.
Their situation was not completely resolved. But that hopelessness was gone. They moved with resolve now. And it was only after that resolve emerged that Lucien grasped what Gaya was saying.
It was startling that one could miss the presence of death until life came, the presence of sadness until happiness came, the presence of weakness until strength came.
It happened in many other ways, and Lucien took it as a lesson to always watch out for—even in his own life. To seek the things that were missing in his life which he had overlooked and then work on them.
He sighed, staring toward the mountains Elara had pointed them to.
Adrian joined him while he stood there. The young attendant was a bit hesitant. Then he smiled.
