* * *
Jenel rubbed her fingers across the weathered stone as she searched for one in particular. She felt it. Carefully, Jenel removed the loose stone. Bits of dust fell as she revealed the hole behind it. She reached into it. Empty. She hadn’t expected there to be anything in there, but a part of her had hoped for one last letter from Rybnik.
Jenel pulled a folded piece of parchment out of her pocket. Sorrowfully, she placed it in the empty space and replaced the stone. “Thank you, Rybnik. Take care of Janine.”
She noticed Serein hovering near the tree where Sarwyn had died. The fairy’s solemn demeanor tugged at her heart. Poor Serein.
Jenel left her place as she went over to the fairy to offer comfort.