The halls of Ildemar rang with Soraishu’s wails as Noah’s small group made their way to the living quarters of the Duke’s sworn knights. The large, sunny wing was full of bustle, with men, women, and even children scurrying around, peeking into pantries, beneath benches, and behind bushes, and shouting at the top of their lungs.

“Rai!”

“Master Soraishu!”

“Where are you, Rai-Rai?”

A middle-aged Binshi woman stood in the frame of one of the opened doors, half of her body leaning out, her demeanor and roaring orders akin to a general’s amidst a battlefield.

“Forget the trees! He is a toddler, not a ferret. Check the old staircase to the attics. Whoever is idle should check the cesspit.”

Twisting her neck, the woman shouted over her shoulder.

“What’s going on? Are you still not ready with the tracking hex?”

“If you ask one more time, I’ll curse you! It’s not like I can find him with a snap of my fingers!” The muffled voice of a man poured out of the room, his timbre heavy with frustration and anger.

Amidst all the chaos, the arrival of Noah and his group remained unnoticed until they were a few steps away from the commanding Binshi. The moment she saw them, the woman uttered a cry and jumped out, closing the distance in a blink. Teary-eyed, she swayed between Soraishu, held firmly by Baroness De Vindur and the sobbing Saya, still curled up helplessly in Noah’s arms.

“Detirse! Baba tebe libi! Mir-Mama, ti mna uslishash, detirse mna povurnash!” she cooed her loving words while stroking the child’s ash locks and kissing his cheeks. Then, she turned to her daughter-in-law. “Mir-Mama bless you, you found him! But are you injured, child? Why…?”

Her eyes sized up Noah and the words remained stuck in her throat. Swallowing hard, the woman paled but did her best not to lower her gaze before the Duke.

“Your Highness… I disregarded your order. I’ll accept full responsibility…”

“Forget it, Karusa.” Noah shook his head. “Going to the room next door is not breaking the house arrest. Not in this case, at least. Now let’s go in and calm ourselves. Both Saya and Rai need some tea and calm.”

Dipping her head, Karusa showed them the way into Gregor’s quarters while shouting to a child running past them that Soraishu had been found.

Inside the spacious, sunlit anteroom, a distraught but obviously relieved Tikotse met them. A bloody handkerchief wrapped around his left hand, the right one still clutching a silver pendant which, Noah knew, contained a lock of Soraishu’s hair. Similar to Karusa, he too didn’t hesitate to shower both his grandson and Saya with affection before shyly greeting his other guests.

With emotions beginning to subside, Noah and Lorelei found themselves seated around a large oak table with cups of birch juice and some oat cakes hastily placed before them. Rolling the goblet in his hands, Noah let his gaze travel around the familiar room, not knowing which question to ask first or who to address it to. The homespun tapestries on the walls, depicting hunting scenes rimmed by geometric patterns, brought up the bitter-sweet memories of the times he had spent with Gregor, Yanosh, and Orhana in the Wild Lands. The birch juice back then had tasted sweeter, the cold nights had felt warmer under the thin roof of the hunting yurt, and the days had seemed devoid of worry and sorrow.

Noah’s gaze rested on the head of a mountain lion that hung between two of the tapestries. He knew that animal. It had almost taken his life. But he had managed to defeat it with Gregor's help. He remembered the triumphant, panting cry of the then ten-year-old boy, who jumped around and danced in the crimson snow in celebration of their miraculous survival. Not long after, that same boy had sworn his oaths to him as the first Binshi page in the history of Limeria. And now, that boy… His friend… His brother lay a door away, fighting for his life. And it was all his fault.

The fine scent of juniper and elderberries reached Noah’s nose even through the closed door of the bed chamber, making his stomach turn. Taking a swig from his cup, he tried to keep his wandering mind focused on the current agenda.

“Who can tell me what exactly happened?” He tried to sound calm and gentle, not wanting to disturb the distraught people before him even more.

“I… I was with G-Gerash,” said Saya and sniffled in her very wet handkerchief. “M-mother was with me. I… I thought Rai was asleep. I should have… should have been more careful. But he… is just a toddler. I never… Not in my dreams… How did he open the door? How…”

Burying her face in her hands, Saya began sobbing uncontrollably. Lorelei hurried to her side and together with Karusa began whispering comforting words in her ear. In her stead, Baroness De Vindur continued.

“I went out of the room to bring Saya some water and look after the little one, and found his crib empty.” She rocked the child in her arms and her face became rigid, but under its cold exterior, Noah could discern the terror and worry gripping her heart. “I thought someone took him. I mean… The sides of his crib are high enough. Anyway, I hurried to Tikotse and Karusa because… I couldn’t trust anyone else.”

Lady Sigurd’s eyes pierced Noah and then, mellowing down, gave the Binshi couple an appreciating look.

“I hope they won’t get punished. I coerced them-”

“You called us to look for our grandchild,” Tikotse interrupted her. “We did what we had to do.”

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“And as I said, I’m not condemning you,” replied Noah. “You thought it was the Red Hands?”

All adults around the table nodded. Noah drummed his fingers on the polished wood.

“Understandable, considering all the recent events.”

“But that’s not what happened.” Lorelei’s quiet words attracted everyone’s attention. “Not according to Soraishu anyway.”

“Indeed.” Noah stood up and knelt next to Baroness De Vindur. His large hand carefully patted the child’s head. “Rai, my boy, can you tell Uncle No and your babas and dede why you went on your adventure?”

The boy blinked at him and bit his lips, huddling deeper into Lady Sigurd’s arms. From there, his eyes darted amongst the gathered adults.

The trembling child before him made Noah think of Shana. Whenever she had done some mischief, she would hide behind Neli’s skirts or in Duncan’s embrace, peeking at him from afar and weary like a hunted bird. The memories stabbed Noah right in the heart. She had never gone to him willingly. Not even once. Even though he had never laid a finger on her, she was afraid of his wrath. He had been too stern with her, hadn’t he? His sternness and cold reprimands had pushed her away.

“No one is angry with Rai,” whispered Noah. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile on his face. “We are all just curious. To go on such a long journey, you are just like those brave heroes in the fairytales.”

“NO!” Soraishu’s tiny voice rose and tears streamed down his cheeks again. “Rai no iro. Rai bad. Rai made dada aua. Rai go away and dada better!”

At his words, Saya gasped and stood rigid, eyeing her son.

“It’s… All my fault!” she stammered, gasping for air.

“Of course, it isn’t!” Lorelei patted her back and tried to hug her, but her friend drove her hand away.

“No, it is! Rai and Gerash… They quarreled the night before… Before the accident. Rai was grumpy because Gerash didn’t have time to play with him due to the Council, so he threw a tantrum… Screaming that he hates Gerash.” Twisting her handkerchief, Saya rocked back and forth. “And then… Yesterday, I found Rai in our bed chamber. He… He was trying to climb on the bed to Gerash. I panicked. If he damaged the kukulak, Gerash would die! I… Oh, Gods, forgive me, I slapped him! I slapped my child! My little baby! I shouted for him to go away. That he’ll kill Gerash.”

Everyone just stood there frozen. Noah didn’t know what to say, how to console her. Could he tell her that everything was fine? That she did nothing wrong? But the truth was different. His eyes looked for Lorelei, but she was just as lost as he was.

“Mama no cwy!” A sudden shout startled them. Like a little eel, Soraishu wriggled in his grandmother’s arms and yelped. “Rai go way. Mama and dada no aua!”

Without a second thought, Saya pried him from the Baroness’ hands and pressed him to her chest.

“Don’t go anywhere!” she sobbed and cradled him. “My treasure, mama is sorry. Please, please, don’t go anywhere. I’m sorry, Rai. I love you! Mama was wrong. Please, don’t… leave!”

At first, the child struggled and flailed around, but Saya never let go. After some time, his fit calmed down and his tiny hands wrapped around his mother’s neck. Hanging to her for dear life, he began sobbing even harder, but this time, his little body began to relax.

For a couple of minutes, no one dared interfere, letting the mother and child alone in their own world of tears, hugs, and kisses. Looking at them, Noah felt a bitter-sweet feeling in his chest. The last time he had tried to hug Shana, she had pushed him away, her magic had hurt him, forcing him to let go. What… What would have happened if he too hadn’t let go? Now, it was likely too late.

Shaking his head in a desperate attempt to drive away these thoughts, Noah leaned over to Saya and Soraishu and said quietly:

“Let’s go see Gerash.”

His words made Saya stiffen, but Tikotse put a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, detir. I’ll be with you. No harm will come to him. Let them see each other.”

Swallowing hard, Saya only nodded. Helped by her relatives, she wobbled towards the bedroom with Soraishu in her hands. Noah gave a sign to Lorelei and the two followed suit.

Tapestries in green and gold covered all walls, giving the room the fresh feeling of a wood clearing during spring. The curtains were pushed to the side to let in the sunshine and the cool air coming from the opened windows. The drapes of the bed were also tied to their poles, revealing the man resting under the canopy. Gregor lay on the white pillows bare-chested, a complex sphere of interlocking layers of orbs stuck right on top of his heart. The quiet buzzing and clicking of the rotating parts of the kukulak were the only sounds in the room. In the center of the device, a small silver light pulsated in the rhythm of a beating heart - the only thing keeping Gregor alive.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Saya took her husband's hand and kissed it.

“My love,” she whispered with some difficulty, “I’ve brought you a guest. Rai has been missing you. Rai, say hello to dada. He has been waiting for you.”

Guided by his mother, Soraishu wrapped his tiny hand around his father’s fingers.

“D-dada!” he stammered, instinctively imitating his mother’s hushed tone. “Rai sowy. Rai love dada! Dada no aua. Rai miss dada.”

Suddenly, Gregor’s fingers twitched, wrapping lightly around the child’s hand.

“Gerash!” Saya gasped. “Are you awake!? Love, say something!”

“Dada!”

Alas, there was no response to their plea. Sitting next to them Tikotse hugged the anxious pair while Lady Sigurd comforted Karusa.

“He is still away, detir.” The shaman’s words, although soft, sounded almost cheerful. “But he knows you are here. He can sense you. This will help him find his way back. Back to the ones who love him.”

A relief washed over Saya’s face and her lips dared to stretch into a pale smile. Hope budded and blossomed in all of their hearts, wetted by tears of relief and happiness. Unnoticed by all, Noah quietly slipped away. This unexpected miracle had invigorated his heart, making it feel lighter and kindling a new resolution. He needed to see Shana. He needed to be with his little girl. Maybe today... a new miracle might occur.