The Heartwood Oh, hey mom. I had the craziest dream! I was the unicorn wizard.

She wanders away from Phantom Hollow on multiple occasions, unable to quell the perpetual restlessness within her. Damien seems to have things under control enough for her to travel short distances, anyway. She tries to hunt, gather herbs, be useful. . . But mostly, she is trapped within her own mind, warring with her own thoughts. Ruminating on the worst possible outcomes to their situation.

The only thing that could have roused her from her negativity this moment was a sudden, familiar smell on the wind—and a voice that called out in query.

Megara lifts her head and her breath leaves her for an instant as she stares through the trees at a shadow, its indigo gaze mirroring hers. She inhales and tears come to her eyes; the crone breaks into a slow but bounding trot, traveling faster as she approaches her son, her son!—

Malcanthet, she whispers, drawing within a few paces of the boy-turned-man. She gives him a long look over, noting that he is just as fine a specimen as any Melonii should be. It has been a long time since she has seen him, but a mother never forgets her children. What has brought you here?