***
Adaria couldn’t believe her luck when she received a letter that her father wished for her to extend her stay in Clarion indefinitely. The missive was from Ophelia, who explained that certain problems in Hyland required that she was kept away for some time. She explained that there had been an attack, but only a few people were hurt, and that Adaria shouldn’t listen to any rumors that might reach her from someone else.
Lord Cole, who received news of what had actually happened, was told to keep it a secret from Adaria. He was to ensure that she would be kept safe, as the creature they’d failed to kill, though wounded, was still out there. They were still trying to track it down, but it seemed futile at this point.
Adaria found a way to sneak out of the castle that day without bein
