Kintla Flatlands Manifest destiny

The surprised pleasure that bloomed over her face transformed it entirely; it was as if she basked in the sun, aglow in warmth. You look very much like him, Maegi responded, grinning. Was this what it was like to go back in time—to meet a younger version of Kove? Fascinating, truly fascinating, and she wondered how this man had come to be. Who was his mother?

I'm Maegi, from Blackfeather Woods, she responded, forgetting to omit her home as she had done for the past moon or so. After all, they hadn't spent much time in the quake-ravaged forest. But it was relevant— Kove was my mentor as a child. He's like family to me.

Which makes you family, too, went her unspoken train of thought as she stared at Aningan, waiting for his response.