Chapter 48

Anthiel knocked on the door of Ale's apartment. It was a few hours after sundown, but she hoped she would still be awake. Nobody answered so she knocked again. And again.

Finally, Ale replied. "Go away."

"It's Anthiel,"

"Go away," she repeated, though less firmly.

Anthiel thought for a moment, then reached into her satchel and pulled out a small flute. It took her a moment to remember what Ale has said was her favorite song. Her mother would sing an old Elvin lullaby to her when she wasn't feeling well, and Anthiel thought that was a perfect fit. She started playing, and it took only a minute for her to open the doors.

She looked decidedly the worse for wear.

Her rich chocolate-brown hair was a tangled mess, her green dress was rumpled, and her eyes betrayed signs of crying.

"Oh, dear girl," she said while folding the wood elf into a motherly hug. Ale didn't say anything for a minute, so she just held her c