It was a long journey back to Varx Castle via the Western Outpost.
Juline-Mist required more than a week to regain her strength, and the prince was beside himself with worry. Healers summoned from Conlaoch Diarmada concluded that her will to help others had exceeded her magical ability. She had brought herself to the brink of death through sheer determination.
Celdar-Moon never left her side. His concern for his betrothed caused a cloud of darkness to settle upon the castle.
King Varan urged Varl to leave, but he had been insistent on remaining with the brave elf. When the signs of her improvement finally came, it was with a sense of relief that the entire company left the Western Outpost.