[Gale's POV]
We walked away from the warm, floral-scented light of the ring-toss stall, the sounds of our group's easy chatter a soft bubble around us. As the noise of that particular crowd faded, an unbidden image flashed behind my eyes: Filafelia's small, determined face, her odd yellow-green eyes wide with mischief and professional curiosity, walking alone in search of potion ingredients in a village this size, with so many shadowy characters around.
My feet slowed slightly. I fell into step beside Ray, who was walking with his usual long, relaxed stride, the lantern light catching on his monocle.
"Ray," I said, my voice lower than I intended.
He glanced down at me, a faint question in his orange eyes.
