*Val*

After going over more details and documentation with Astra, I had a much clearer picture of the tragedy that had unfolded. I had left Bear Island with a promise to return. I had left Astra with the few documents I’d brought with me and promised to bring more. As I’d thought, they had very few records remaining.

She’d asked me not to pass through the old village on my way out. It was treated as a memorial for those who had died in the battle. The same ...