I opted to walk the few miles to the hospital, both as part of my rehabilitation and to give myself time to think through things. Sir Raleigh accompanied me and trotted alongside me until we reached the path along the river. The residents of The Aerie had built it after Reine defeated the witch that had held the town—and the river nymph—by a magical stranglehold. The path also helped me to avoid the townspeople, who likely had more questions than I had answers to after the previous day"s events and the morning"s article. What was the fascination people had with royalty, anyway? It wasn"t like I could help being the son of the Regent.
It didn"t surprise me to round the bend under the main bridge into town and find Astrid sitting and gazing into the water.
She turned and smiled. "Well met,
