The river's relentless current eventually began to slow, forcing Aria and her companions to make their way to the shore. Exhausted and soaked to the bone, they dragged themselves onto the rocky bank, gasping for air.

The sun had nearly disappeared behind the treeline when Haatim finally pulled the car onto a narrow, overgrown dirt road. They drove for another few minutes before coming to a stop in a small clearing. A lone figure stood waiting, his silhouette barely visible in the fading light.

The priest waited until things settled.  Lightning struck in the distance, followed seconds after by the roll of thunder.

The morning after the ball, Adeline woke early, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of the previous night's events. She dressed quickly, forgoing her usual elaborate hairstyle for a simple braid, and made her way downstairs.

As dawn broke over Millbrook, Aria and her companions prepared for their journey north. The town stirred to life around them, oblivious to the momentous departure taking place in its midst. Kelvin had secured a pair of sturdy horses and a small cart, loaded with supplies gleaned ...

As they sped down the highway, Frieda twisted in her seat to face Petrillo and Emma in the back. Her expression was grim, all traces of the earlier training session's levity gone.

The crowd watched in mute fascination.  Petro couldn’t believe it.  He didn’t think this was right, but he couldn’t understand why no one else did anything. The duke wasn’t a bad man.  People often talked about him, and how good he was to his people. Yet no one spoke up. No one said this was wrong.

As the grand doors closed behind the elf, a palpable tension lingered in the air. The usual chatter of the ball slowly resumed, but it was clear that the unexpected interruption had left its mark on the evening's proceedings.

The days that followed in Millbrook were a welcome respite for Aria and her small band of loyalists. The modest inn on the outskirts of town became their temporary sanctuary, a place where they could finally catch their breath after years of constant flight.