"I can accept that," Aest said at last. "But I think that's quite enough magical training for one day, don't you? If I keep standing around letting you prod at the nature of magic and reality, I might start feeling important."
There was humor in his face, and then he looked toward the sky.
"And besides," he added, "we've been at this for some time. It's getting dark."
Sonder followed his gaze to realize that he was right. She hadn't noticed the coming sundown. The sun itself had already been half-swallowed by the horizon.
Aest turned toward the hut and jerked his chin in its direction. "You should stay the night."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am," he said, as if the idea of her doing otherwise had never occurred to him. "You're not walking those hills in the dark, and I won't have you sleeping out in the open when I've got four walls and a roof."
She hesitated, glancing at the path she had come from.
"And don't worry," Aest added, catching the look. "You'll get the hut all to yourself. A lady deserves her own space."
"Then where will you sleep?"
"Oh, I've spent plenty of nights under the sky."
"I-" She began.
He waved a hand, already dismissing the argument he clearly expected. "No arguments. You can take the bed. I'll make do."
There was no reluctance in his face. It was an earnest offer.
"Thank you," she said.
Aest smiled, already turning away. "I'll leave a lantern burning. Good night, Sonder."
"Good night," she replied.
She watched him walk off toward the edge of the cliff and then suddenly jump off.
"See you tomorrow," he yelled.
Then Sonder went back inside the hut.
It felt strange to be alone there. So was the first time, but even now she had permission; it was still strange.
Strange still that he trusted her enough to leave her in his home without hesitation. Not many would trust someone so easily.
But then again, Aest seemed like a different type of person.
The hearth had burned down to embers, but most of the warmth remained. She set her pack down near the wall and leaned her staff carefully beside it.
The bed stood against the far wall. Simple. A low wooden frame, tightly packed straw, thick furs layered over it for warmth.
Sonder sat on the edge first, testing it, then slowly eased herself down.
The furs were warm.
She lay back and stared up at the ceiling.
She couldn't remember the last time she had slept in a bed. A real bed.
Sonder let out a slow breath and closed her eyes.
She would leave tomorrow. It was clear enough now; there was no shard here. Whatever had drawn her to this place had been an accident, or a misunderstanding of magic, and she didn't want to waste time lingering where she wasn't needed.
For tonight, though, she allowed herself rest.