[hider=Maps]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/prkJ4FXR/map.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/1YW2nGgT/map2.png[/img]
[/hider]

Miss Thornwick watches as you study the map, her sharp eyes noting every reaction that crosses your face.

As you point to the Forever Keep and ask about the Queen, fragments of knowledge surface from your history lessons. Thundrastone, you remember, is one of the biggest cities on the continent, though still smaller than Luxiatum. Much smaller, in fact. Queen Mycena rules from the Forever Keep, though her family name escapes you at the moment. You'd known she lived separately from the main city, but you hadn't realized she ruled over Thornwood as well.

A curious thought crosses your mind. Thornwood and Thornwick. The same prefix. Could they be connected somehow?

But that thought is quickly pushed aside as you find Valerith on the map. Your home. Luxiatum. Over six hundred miles away.

You sink back into your seat, and the cushions embrace you with an almost decadent softness. The rich fabrics, the layered comfort, it's all so different from the rigid furniture back home.

Miss Thornwick makes a small sound, almost like a knowing hum.

[b]"Long way from home, aren't you?"[/b] she says, her tone carrying just a hint of something you can't quite place. Sympathy? Amusement? It's hard to tell.

You sit there, trying to process everything. Your breathing is still shaky. Six hundred miles. How did this happen? Your wishes echoing in your mind again.

Time passes. You're not sure how much. The sounds from the tavern beyond have quieted considerably. The music has stopped. The raucous laughter has faded to murmurs.

Miss Thornwick begins gathering her things, closing her ledger with a decisive thump. She tucks her quill away and stands, adjusting her elegant silks.

[b]"Well,"[/b] she says briskly, [b]"I need to be going. You can leave the map on the table when you're done with it."[/b] She pauses at the door, glancing back at you. [b]"And please, don't go poking around in the drawers. I've got everything organized just how I like it."[/b]

With that, she slips out, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

You're alone now. The noise from the tavern is much quieter than before. It probably won't be long before they close for the night, though the inn portion of the business will keep running.

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[b]What do you do?[/b]