Neverwinter Forest Bullet train to Iowa.

Dwin refuted her, then went off on a tangent. Towhee tried to keep up at first, though it made her eyeballs ache. That always made her think of Wraen, the thought now reminding her of her dream some weeks back. She tried to recapture the feeling of it, wrap herself in that sense of comforting nostalgia, right when Ceridwen actually said the woman’s name out loud. It was somehow jarring.

But it did confirm some long-held suspicions, though Towhee hadn’t realized they shared an ancestor. Or maybe she had known that but had forgotten over time. It kind of seemed like the thing an old, cantankerous hag might do.

Say less, Towhee replied. What have you been doing with all that youthful energy lately, junior hag? Been on any particularly epic adventures?

But before Ceridwen could answer her, Towhee made the universal sign for, “Time out!” She pointed east, wondering if Ceridwen had visited the hot springs before.

I’d like to soak my old bones while you regale me with your tall tales, she explained, resuming her walk in that direction. If you and I sit in the springs together, does that make it witches’ brew?