The horses rode hard and fast to get to Damalaen as soon as possible. They arrived early the next day and the guards helped Shay and Rhian off the wagon. They helped them down to the lakeshore and left them on Shay’s orders.

Shay helped her mother into the lake. She followed her mother in and they spent a long while in the waters. Shay could feel her strength returning the longer she stayed in the water. After what felt like an hour, Rhian left the lake. Shay followed and looked at her wounds. She was sure she could see an improvement in her wounds. She did not doubt that...