With his training complete, Laina and Dante finally made their descent. Their return was greeted with cheer and a hearty meal. Neither of them has had a good meal in weeks, surviving on dried meats and what they could scavenge.
Dante was significantly stronger than he was before. The training in the mountains had improved his abilities and skills. It also increased his resistance to the cold. It even helped lessen the effects of the curse. When they openly discussed it at the dining table, everyone was stunned.
The initial smile on Margaret's face wilted away, turning into a look of horror. Laina and Dante quickly caught everyone up on what had transpired. Now they were aware that everyone knew everything.
"What happens now?"Margaret asked as she took a bite from her plate,"What will you do next?"
Her mind was already made up. Laina turned to Dante, then back at everyone at the table, "I think it is time for me to return to Kinshearth to take a look."
