It wasn't long before Merip returned with two other people in tow, who went on to provide Rhen and Victor with each their own bedroll and a few old blankets.

The helmeted halfling also brought them a bowl of soup and a cup of water each, and after thanking their benefactors, the two siblings ate together, but in silence.

Rhen struggled a little, but managed with her one good arm by placing the bowl on her lap, and eating slowly.

With food in her belly and a place where she could relax a little, exhaustion finally caught up with her.

Getting chased and almost killed by a werewolf, fighting armed soldiers, running through the frozen woods in summer clothes... all this, plus the facts she had to process about their situation, turned out to be a lot for the young woman, unsurprisingly.

Exhausted, but unable to fall asleep, she lay there on her bedroll, staring up at the stone ceiling high above her.

Her arm throbbed painfully, but it was manageable - and they had told her earlier that the healer, Mouse, would return from his hunt in a few hours.

Thoughts began to wander in her mind, washing over her in waves, and Rhen found herself unable to stop them;

She thought of her mother and father, who had always been like night and day in her eyes, yet lovingly cared for each other and their two children. How would her aging mother take this, she wondered?

Her grandfather, the mighty Odin'Kha, whose power and knowledge was only overshadowed by his kindness and compassion, as well as his immortal loyalty and love for his wife, who had died so many years ago. She had been on her way to meet with him for a long, interesting trip when the darkness had claimed her and Victor. How would he react, she wondered, when his granddaughter didn't show up?

She thought of home, the gardens, and halls, the library where she'd often spot Victor in the middle of his studies, the elderly butler, Bartholomas, who always had a piece of advice for any situation - as well as a cookie or some other kind of treat for her, even now when she had just turned eighteen.

Then, the thought of her friend from the city, with whom she had caused so much trouble by painting over shop signs in the middle of the night, or fooling around with another noble's banner, leaving it outside of a brothel or making silly, stupid caricatures of the owners on it. Mischief, yes, but always somewhat harmless, though often a real headache for her parents.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Then, Fuffer appeared in her thoughts, the huge bundle of furry love, always with his tongue hanging out ridiculously.

That dog had been so small when she got him from her father, and now, ten years later, he was the size of a large mastiff and the dumbest, happiest, friendliest creature in the whole world.

Rhen didn't even notice the tears silently making their way down her cheeks as all these things came to mind.

She and her brother had not even been here in this realm for twenty-four hours, and yet it suddenly felt like way, way longer.

Yes, she had told Victor just before, that she was somewhat excited about all this. That it was like an adventure.

It hadn't been a lie, but right now, as the thoughts of her home came rushing, the severity of their situation struck her. And it struck her hard.

Would they be able to find a way home? Would they even survive this land, whose people seemed to hate her just because of the way she looked? This land, where horrible beasts stalked the woods and soldiers were out to get them?

Rhen held back a sob, and sniffled lightly in the darkness.

Everyone had left or gone to sleep a while ago, and the only ones who were still up were two designated guards who kept by the door to the outside tunnels.

And for her to let go, allow herself to really cry, would end up with at least some waking up.

Including her brother, who was just about the last person she wanted to see her like this right now.

Reaching up with her good hand to wipe the tears away, Rhen took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself.

In the end, there was only one thing to do.

She was an Amerial. Giving up was not an option. Being vulnerable was not an option.

These soldiers wanted to hurt her? The creatures out there wanted to kill her, or turn her into one of them?

This damned darkness thought it could claim her, imprison her here in this world of night?

Not without a fight. And even though she and Victor had never been close, Rhen knew that it was the same with him.

He'd fight, think, study, and learn everything there was to learn- and he would find a way to leave.

Plus, as he had said earlier; allies. If they could gain some allies, then everything would become easier for sure.

Merip was a good start, she thought.

And perhaps this place, the Drain, would prove to be home to others who might be trustworthy.

This rollercoaster of thoughts continued through her mind for a while, until eventually she fell to exhaustion, and sleep conquered her.

For the first time since arriving in this world of night and darkness, Rhen found some real, good rest.