Loka followed Lonna to her bedroll, weaving carefully between the other people sleeping in the crowded tent. Even if she couldn’t truly be alone here, the bedroll would at least offer a thin barrier from prying eyes. “I’d like to be alone-ish!” Lonna said, glancing up as Loka sat beside her. Loka gave a soft smile, settling herself next to her. “You may not remember me, but I do remember you. We were best friends. We were sisters,” she said softly, her voice carrying a tender warmth. “You keep saying that.” Lonna’s tone was hesitant as if the words tugged at a hidden part of her memory she couldn’t quite reach. Her eyes darted away, filled with a mixture of apology and frustration. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just... I just don’t remember it. I keep trying. But I’m not the same person you knew.” Loka took a deep breath, the weight of lost years and severed bonds heavy in the air. “I’m not either,” she admitted. “Like you said, cuddling with someone isn’t something I usually do.” She smiled faintly, almost self-mockingly. “But you still need friends, and I still care about you.” Lonna’s face softened, her defenses dropping slightly. “I’ve never denied what I did was wrong. Sometimes, I did it because I thought it would help. Mostly, I did it because I was afraid. I told myself if I didn’t, someone else would. I’ve made peace with being a coward, but to be compared to Morcri…” She turned away, her face shadowed in shame and regret. “Him, you remember?” Loka asked, her tone steady but curious. “How could anyone forget?” Lonna shivered, memories flickering like shadows. “I wasn’t like him. He was sadistic. He didn’t care about what happened to those kids. I did. I never wanted to hurt them. I did everything I could to lessen the pain and minimize the side effects. I even tried to avoid some of the experiments whenever I could.” Loka listened, empathy in her eyes. “Give them time,” she urged. “Ter struggled for so long when he first came to Menthanla. Cramda and Morcri lied to him and kept him in the dark. He was so confused, so lost. But he worked hard to come to terms with it all.” Lonna nodded, the weight of those words sitting heavy in her chest. “I’ll wait. I’ll give it time.” “When we get back,” Loka said gently, “ask Lanni if you can talk with Drepal. She went through something similar. Talking to her might help.” Lonna’s brow furrowed slightly as if considering it. Then she relaxed. “I’m feeling better,” she said, her tone more resolved. “How healed am I?” “Pretty close. A couple more days of rest, and you’ll be good as new. Why?” Lonna sat up, her face determined. “You said casting magic would make us sick. I’m willing to risk it to let them warn others. They need time to prepare.” “Jahree’s blood was used in the charm,” Loka explained carefully, watching Lonna’s reaction. “He’s more resistant to immortal magic than mortal magic.” “This is a blood charm using Tamerian blood?” Lonna’s eyes widened with realization. “And it’s Jahree’s blood? I still have some of my notes here. I happened to have them with me when Ray took me. Maybe I can find a way to counter it.” “It wasn’t just his blood, Lonna. These charms… they take a lot of blood. More than just one person’s.” “Do you know who else?” Lonna asked, a flicker of dread crossing her face. Loka shook her head. “No. Only that they were refugees—or their children. The magic resistance doesn’t last beyond that first generation.” Lonna’s expression tightened with resolve. “I’ll go through my notes and check the list of missing children. Maybe I’ll find a clue.” “Talk to Ray, too,” Loka suggested. “She might be able to help you narrow it down to refugees she knows personally.” “Thanks, I will.” Lonna let out a long breath, lying back down, finally allowing herself to sink into the bedroll. Exhaustion claimed her quickly. Loka rose quietly, brushing a stray hair from Lonna’s face as she slept, then slipped back to where Shan lay, waiting. She curled up beside him, finding solace in his warmth. There was still so much to unravel, so many ghosts left to lay to rest. But for tonight, they could rest. Tomorrow would bring new questions—and, perhaps, new answers. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands