16
The horizon was a deep blue as Stella and Alice arrived on Tower Warf approaching the famous Tower Bridge. A new sun would rise soon. Stella hoped it would bring with it a better day, and possibly an opportunity to sleep. Elves needed far less rest than humans but even they had their limits.
Neither John nor Mary Thornton saw her emerge from the fog and fall into step behind them amidst the procession. By the look of it, the walkers had other concerns. There were more humans now – maybe four hundred in total – corralled into slavery the previous day while she was away. Many sported cuts and bruises; the brutal cost of resisting orders.
Is that my future? she wondered, recalling Oberon’s fury in Toby’s dream.
She had tried to approach the boy behind the King’s back. To reason with hi
