[Outlander, you have returned to the present time.]
With "Her" gentle voice still in his ears, Shard, stepping once more out from the study door, saw the familiar sight of his own study lit up, saw the Tobesk nightscape outside the window, and of course saw the red-haired Duchess waiting for him to come home.
The peaceful house always let Shard's taut nerves relax, and the gentle embrace the Witch gave him allowed his slightly exhausted body to truly feel at ease. Those forty minutes of adventure might not sound long, and the Tree Father had repaired all his injuries, yet he had just gone through an escape from an ancient Evil Object's grasp—more dangerous and arduous than any battle.
Though Miss Galina did not know what Shard had just experienced, she could see from his expression that what he needed right now was a hug.
