Rowan stood outside Lorne's northern gate with Celeste, Sir Luke, and Adrian. Beyond them, the road led toward Hale, the next city on the journey to the Northern Wall.
A dark-grey vehicle waited at the roadside, blue lines glowed along its wheel housings as the Aether engine warmed. It had four seats, thick armoured panels, and windows that darkened when the sunlight struck them.
Celeste looked at it with undisguised frustration.
"We should have been saying goodbye at a transfer station."
"Saintess," Luke said gently.
"He wouldn't even let Rowan use the kingdom's teleportation devices. Sending him away wasn't enough."
Rowan adjusted the strap of his bag.
"It's not that bad. I haven't seen much outside Miresti. Now I'll get to."
Celeste tried to smile.
Adrian opened the rear compartment and placed some items in it.
"We'll stop in Hale first. I'll send word whenever we reach another city."
"Thank you again, Adrian," Celeste said. "I know what I'm asking of you."
