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The plan was solid Tara secretly thanked God that her friend and sister would finally knohat happened

“Do you think I’ll come back?” Myra asked when they stopped and sat on a fallen tree

“God, I hope so” Tara took her hand without looking at her “I don’t think I could bear losing two sisters in one year”

“Hoill I knohen to return? It isn’t like Ma can tell me I’ve never had any preift, but I don’t”

“We have to believe sos Have faith if nothing else And pray” It was all Tara had to offer

“The real question is if you’ll want to return

Between the indoor plu, clothes and food, we may lose you because you’ll want to stay”

“I’d miss my family toois growing by the hour” The list hat Tara wanted Myra to bring back with her It was loaded with everything from medication, to seeds for every plant available, and books about how things are made in the future

Including one on pluht before her expected departure, and exactly three weeks before the winter solstice, the fah everyone tried ht, they failed Everyone agrees that Duncan, Tara, and Myra would go together outside the walls of the Keep where they would activate the stones without notice

If the entire faht question where they were all going

This night was for goodbyes and final thoughts

The servants were sent away for the night The knights who guarded the keep while the family slept were asked to res slept outside theshould I wait before I return?”

“A month, maybe two After that” Lora cast her eyes to her plate of food that sat untouched

“I’ll return in twothis out loud

“Nay, Myra Wait for a sign,” Lora encouraged

“I want your safe return Not one which will put you in harhter with fear in his eyes “If you’re ever in danger in that tiht of hoe could go to her if needed?” Tara asked

No one answered No one could

“I see” Tara’s hand found Duncan’s under the table Are we doing the right thing?

His reassuring smile helped lift her spirits Mybefore

Aht

Duncan and Tara returned to their bedcha to her parents Over and over she told therateful for their council

When she left their side, she had a family heirloom that would be worth currency in Tara’s time and afford her a way to take care of herself if Lizzy was difficult to locate

Fin caught her in the hall when she made her way to bed “I didn’t want the others to hear what I have to say They’d worry too much”

“What is it?” She and Fin had always spoken so candidly and yet he hadn’t said anything of importance since Lora announced she had to leave

“If Grainna learns of you, she will stop at nothing to” He turned away, his words trailed off

Myra read hi for hiht her eyes and held them firm

“Unless you are of no use to her”

His iht of it