The morning after Ivo returned, Hearthrest was busy again. Carriers crossed the platform with baskets, someone repaired a harness, and hot broth scented the air. Life had continued while three people were missing. Now the worry had eased.
Nova found Orven beneath the eastern window, studying a bark map weighted with stones. Several lines were new.
"I thought you said that map was older than half the trees outside," Nova remarked.
"The bark is old. The ink isn't," Orven replied. "Merra's been comparing the carriers' accounts all morning. She wants to mark every place where the ground moved differently from what our records predicted."
"That's a lot of marks."
"I suspect she'll need another sheet before supper." Orven pushed a cup of warm broth toward him. "Sit down. You're leaving east, aren't you?"
Nova accepted the cup. "I came here to train and understand Beastaria, not live in your guest room. Besides, Lunaris is developing expensive tastes."
