Stone cottages with moss-covered roofs rested among gardens and narrow winding paths. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys while villagers moved about much as they did in Willowmere or any other village in Scotara. Children carried baskets. Women hung herbs to dry. An older man split wood beside one cottage wall.
For one startled moment, Bria forgot she stood in Driochmor at all. Then she noticed the silence. People had seen them.
Conversation faded quickly as wary eyes turned toward the strangers emerging from the forest.
Bria instinctively moved a little closer to Kaelan.
The little creature paid the tension no mind whatsoever. He suddenly gave an excited bark and raced ahead across the clearing.
An older woman near one of the cottages gasped sharply. “Tibby!”
The cry rang through the village.
The little fellow bounded toward her at once, leaping into her arms so eagerly the woman nearly lost her balance as she caught him tightly against her chest.
“Tibby,” she cried tearfully. “I thought I lost you forever.”
The little creature whined happily while licking at her face, his entire body wiggling with excitement.
Warmth touched Bria at the sight and tears stung her eyes.
The woman looked up then, her gaze settling first on Kaelan and then Bria as she hurried toward them, still clutching Tibby close.
“Thank you, kind sir,” she said to Kaelan, her tears slowing. “Thank you for bringing Tibby home.”
Kaelan inclined his head slightly toward Bria. “It was her doing.”
The woman’s eyes shifted instantly to Bria.
Before Bria could answer, the woman caught hold of her hand.
“Then I owe you more thanks than I can poss?—”
The woman stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened slightly. Something passed swiftly across her face before she masked it just as quickly.
But Bria felt it.
A strange connection stirred the instant their hands touched, faint yet undeniable, like warmth moving softly beneath her skin. Not the deep comfort she sensed from others. Something different yet familiar.
The woman released her hand carefully.
“You are welcome here,” she said softly, though her gaze lingered on Bria a moment too long. Then she smiled warmly once more. “I am Winnie.”
“Bria,” Bria returned.
“Kaelan,” he added.
Winnie nodded before lowering Tibby carefully to the ground. “Come. You both look in need of food and rest.”
Several villagers still watched them cautiously as Winnie led them through the settlement.
Bria felt the weight of those stares keenly now.
“They do not trust outsiders,” Winnie explained quietly as though sensing her thoughts. “Few ever cross into Driochmor willingly, and fewer still are welcomed.”
Bria glanced around uneasily. “Then why welcome us?”
Winnie smiled faintly. “Because Tibby returned home with you.”
