Ashlynn's final day in the High Pass was quiet and subdued compared to her arrival among the Frost Walkers. The people from the Vale of Mists held themselves apart in the vast fortress, clustering around the room Nyrielle had taken as her own or focusing on their preparations to leave.
Once again, though she felt that she should be spending time getting to know the Frost Walkers or at least spending time with Hauke after what they had both been through, Ashlynn remained with Nyrielle, even while her lover slept away the daylight hours.
In Nyrielle's opinion, Lord Ritchel needed to complete some housekeeping before she was willing to extend the same level of trust to them that she had on arrival. It was important to reset expectations and her refusal to allow Ashlynn to mingle further with the people of the High Pass was part of her rebuke for the incident.
