EPISODE 22 — A BLACK BANNER FOR A THOUSAND RAINBOWS

(POV: Aileen) Mmm… what is that delicious smell…? I'm starving. I crack one eye open and see Grogher busy preparing a breakfast worthy of legends. He's toasting slices of elven bread over the fire. On a flat stone nearby, three steaming cups are already waiting— I sniff the air. Mint infusion, I'd say, judging by the scent. Beside him, Sidae is devouring something out of an enormous trough, while Raertha and Hercules calmly graze on hay. I stretch. Yawn. "Good morning…" I mumble. "Good morning!" Dorcha answers, his voice amused. I turn my head—slowly. By all the clouds! He's sitting right beside me! Staring. I hurriedly wipe my mouth. Please tell me I didn't drool in my sleep. Apparently not. That doesn't stop my face from going up in flames. I try to play it cool, get up, and offer an…