Bearclaw Valley a new day,

FINALLY getting to this, so sorry for the wait!

a million questions lingered like shadows waiting to tie a noose around her neck. was this what was best for her children? or was it what was best for her?

cole was silent as they traveled across what felt like a never ending terrain of unfamiliar brush and flatland. nephele was thankful for this, finding herself lacking much strength for anything other than tending to her children. and that was primarily what had taken hold of the stormcloud woman, her thoughts and actions only that of her two girls.

finally, after feeling like she'd been dragging chains behind her for the entire duration of their trip, they'd arrived. nephele managed to summon up an appreciative smile for the stalwart man when he mentioned a woman, ameline, would take care of them.

"we'll be alright" — the very utter of the words made her heart lurch. she'd been telling herself that for many days now, but hearing them for the lips of cole made her start to believe them.