The mortal woman walked ahead of them. Her steps were careful but steady. She had left her younger brother safely in the shelters Marie crafted, promising him she would return as soon as possible.
As they crossed deeper dunes, she began to speak softly.
At first, Lucien assumed she was simply responding to Eirene's gentle inquiries.
But soon he realized... these were not casual answers.
These were words she had carried unspoken too long, finally spilling out because someone had finally listened.
"Months ago," she began, "mysterious practitioners passed through our lands."
Her voice was brittle but disciplined... like a person forcing herself not to break.
"We mortals respected them. Feared them. Sometimes even worshipped them. Not because we chose to… but because that's simply how the world works. Strength demands reverence."
No one in the group interrupted.
