Aria walked through the busy market of the clawhold with a smile on her face. Snowflakes fell around her, the storm blowing her cloak almost off her body.

The whispers were back and louder than ever. The news of the Vine Clawhold being allies had now made their rounds, so more people were interested in Aria.

Aria could not hear any one of the whispers. She was like a cloaked storm.

Gone was the little girl who used to flinch at every curse, gone was the Aria who used to bow her head ...