{Ryanna’s POV}

Casper stood just inches away, hand raised mid-knock.

And beside him, a girl.

She looked his age, cloak hood over her head obscuring her hair but not her face. She opened her mouth like she was about to say something but stopped. Clutching Caspers’ arm as he dropped his other; “M—Mom… were you leaving?”

‘I was indeed! Going to look for you.’ I thought but didn’t say out loud, instead, I replied; “Yes, I was heading to the tavern. Were you looking for ...