After everything had calmed down to a degree, the remaining Elven Elders stood in a quiet line behind Seryn. The wind stirred the branches of Heartwood Tree above them, as if even the leaves were still shaken by what had nearly occurred. The void had retreated. The roots were intact. But the sense of danger still lingered in the air.
Seryn took a step forward. Her robes shifted with the motion, brushing softly against the forest floor. When she reached Leo and the rest of the guild, she bowed deeply from the waist.
"On behalf of everyone who lives under Heartwood Tree, thank you," she said. Her voice was steady, but her hands were trembling. "You've saved more than just our lives. Please allow us one day to gather a proper reward. If you return tomorrow, we will be ready to honor our debt."
Leo looked over his shoulder. The others nodded or gave weary shrugs, none of them eager to keep standing out here any longer.
"That sounds good," Leo replied. "We'll come back tomorrow."
