A Dangerous Girl

Immediately after she gave him that answer, Jeci bolted into motion, briskly moving out of the open area.

Ellis was awestruck for a moment, thinking, *"His mother? He really is a prince of Luinngard?!"* He raised his head and quickly called out, "Wait, wait for me!" running after Jeci as fast as he could.

Jeci did not respond to him and just ran out of the shelter and into the woods.

Raven happened to be by the entrance, just coming in when Jeci bolted out, and Ellis was running towards her, shouting, "Wait. Wait!"

She stopped Ellis, grabbing his arm before he could pass her. With a frown, she asked, "What is wrong?"

Ellis exchanged glances between the now-gone Jeci and Raven, who was looking at him with a stern gaze, not entirely sure what to do.

He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Northern is missing."

Ellis didn't see any hint of surprise on her face; he didn't think that information affected her anyway.