The soft flicker of lanterns lined the hallway of Dormitory 3B. Inside Room 312, Elowyn hurried and lay curled on the thin cot, facing the wall. Her bruises ached beneath the borrowed shirt. Her ribs throbbed. But her mind wouldn't rest.
A quiet knock tapped the door.
Not urgent. Not loud.
But enough to make her bolt upright, panic flooding her limbs.
She opened it slowly.
It was Baron.
He looked annoyed.
"You're a shame to wherever you come from and you really should go back. Be warned."
Just that. And he walked away.
Elowyn was tongue-tied. She felt bad but she couldn't just stand there.
She retreated, chilled.
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A group of men — cloaked, fast on foot, and breathing heavy — approached the mouth of Haspan Cosmoses’ stronghold.
Their leader stepped forward. An older Bet
