Kalliope, Lucius, and the other three made it to the Aedridan palace within a few hours thanks to their speed. Tenia took Snow on her back while Kalliope held Ethi in a princess carry. She was too concerned that the elf did not possess the strength to remain wrapped around Kalliope's neck.
Lucius was able to rely on his mana to supplement his lost stamina and injury, though Kalliope could hear the occasional breaks in his steady breathing as he reacted to the pain that occasionally wracked his body.
Guilt threatened to overwhelm her every time they stopped for a short rest because it gave her a moment to think. Once they had made it into the palace and Ethi was taken from her care to rest in the medical ward, time seemed to be all that Kalliope had.
