"I am ready to go. Ayra, when you're ready," Mayrin said as she grabbed her bags. 

Kalin and Ren stayed back after giving their goodbyes. Meyra gifted Mayrin one of her feathers as repayment for the necklace. Mayrin’s eyes teared up as she held the feather to her chest. 

"Thank you again, please come visit!" Before anyone could speak, Ayra whisked Mayrin into the shadows. 

While traveling through the shadows, Ayra held onto Mayrin tightly. If she lost her hand, it would be difficult to predict where she would end up. They moved slowly, avoiding the busy roads. Ayra eventually arrived at the guard post, looking for shadows outside the entrance. 

"We have to leave for me to scope out our exit. Stay here, don't move or speak," Ayra said to Mayrin. 

The two left the shadows, Mayrin quickly sitting down due to her queasiness. She hid her bags behind her and lowered her hood over her face. Mayrin rested her head on her arms like she was sleeping. Ayra jumped through the shadows until she was on top of a nearby building. 

She looked off into the distance, not seeing any shadows until they reached the forest. Ayra sighed, sitting down, and looking off into the distance. By a different exit, she saw trees lining the path. She traveled back down and asked Mayrin. 

"That exit would be the closest to the forest entrance for us. I would recommend taking that one if that's possible." Mayrin grabbed her bags and stood up. 

They traveled through the shadows until they reached the exit. Unfortunately for them, the guards were checking people entering and exiting. Mayrin said that her entrance pass had been taken, so they would not be able to exit legally. 

"I think it would be best to travel through the shadows in the trees until we reach the forest. Are you feeling up to it?" Mayrin’s nausea had only increased but nodded.

They made their way through the shadows to the gate. The nearest shadow was quite far, past the line of people trying to enter town. Ayra took a deep breath and took a leap of faith, not having traveled that far with another person in tow. Luckily, they reached that shadow, and continued to make their way to the forest. 

When they reached the edge of the forest, they came out of the shadows. They were far enough to prevent people from noticing them. Mayrin gave her thanks and took off the robe, handing it to Ayra. She placed it in her bag, watching the guards in the distance. 

"Take this. I'm not sure how long you've been in Vallan, but the forest has become much more dangerous." 

Ayra handed Mayrin a dagger. She thanked her, placing it in her side pocket. The two waved goodbye, Ayra watching her fly off into the distance before she snuck through the shadows back to town.