Departing

Harriet came out of the room, and her attire was all black and looked light but warm. The first light of the day reflected on her lavender eyes as she turned back toward the castle's entrance.

She had finished her talk with Yelan and had prepared herself for the expedition. But just as Yelan noticed, she didn't sleep all night.

The first dew dropped down from a tree leaf at dawn while Harriet stood silently in front of her army. "You all know the drill. In and out. Three weeks maximum."

From her back, Ezekiel approached with his black coat. That day, he looked imposing. His light blue hair blended with the icy blue dawn sky.

"You didn't look okay," he said to Harriet softly.

But the woman just turned her head up to him, almost smiling slightly, saying nothing. All night, she watched her babies sleeping, then, to calm her nerves, she sewed a simple project with her treadle machine until dawn came.

"Let us leave now," Harriet said.