Hushed Willows honey, I'm still free

It wasn't as if she had forgotten about Ibis, per se. She'd been on the lookout for the girl--well, kind of--ever since she'd left. But with everything going on, it was easy for one isolated problem to fade into the background. Maybe she'd feel differently if it was her kid.

Still. . .she felt bad. And the appearance of the pair at their border was a boon she didn't know she needed.

Ibis! Lily cried out, racing down toward the two with steps so fast they threatened to trip her up. She came to a sliding stop, snow flying, and pulled the girl into her embrace without question. Oh, thank god you're home, she breathed, relief palpable in her voice.

She turned her face to the young man, taking in his scent. Her brow furrowed, then relaxed as she worked it out. Drageda? she asked, more asking for confirmation than anything. She remembered that salt-laced aroma from her brief encounter with the woman on the coast. Thank you for bringing her back to us.