Fairspell Meadow just test driving the new soup strainer.

That's not the worst plan, Maegi said, nodding. Still. . . But if you do find yourself without a place, I wouldn't be opposed to having you here, she offered. There was no pull to the Frostfur, nor loyalty or debt owed. But she knew what it was like to be a lost little girl, looking for family in a world as big as this one. To not offer would be shortsighted.

And they could always find a way to feed another mouth—right?

For now, Eshe was well on her way. I wish you luck, though, the Melonii said with a smile. She nodded up toward the peaks. Be careful in the mountains. The way the ground has been shaking. . .anything could happen. Just watch your step, she murmured, the words of which could be a threat in any other circumstance, but there was no mistaking her motherly tone in giving them.

Sakhmet. She should return to her true daughter, to her only remaining son. Can I help you with anything else? Maegi asked.

She eventually saw Eshe off on her journey, keeping the girl in her thoughts.