Elian stood in the center of the cabin, holding the travel bag. He looked at Cassian, who was currently staring out the window toward the capital with the tragic longing of a puppy waiting for its owner.
"Sire," Elian said softly.
Cassian turned. "Is it time for bed? I suppose I can sleep another night. If I dream hard enough, perhaps she will appear."
Elian gritted his teeth. "No. No more dreaming. We're leaving."
Cassian blinked. "Leaving? But the bridge..."
"The river level has dropped," Elian lied. "We can cross at the shallows. It will be cold, and dangerous, and miserable. But we can make it."
Cassian's face transformed. The dull misery vanished, replaced by a radiant, terrifying joy. He crossed the room in two strides and grabbed Elian by the shoulders.
"You found a way?" Cassian breathed. "You found a path back to her?"
