"Mother," Nina called out.
The stone steps of the porch scraped under her boots as she stepped into the open air of the courtyard. Lady Freya walked a pace behind her left shoulder, and behind them came the low, rhythmic shuffle of the elders' long robes over the cobblestones.
Isabelle, who was standing by a small bed of flowers, turned at the sound of her voice.
Nina slowed her pace, coming to a halt about ten feet away. The night had darkened completely now, but she could see her mother's wide blue eyes clearly in the courtyard light. Something in them made Nina hesitate. Isabelle was smiling, but it was small. Rigorous. The skin around her eyes remained completely smooth, unmoving.
After a long moment, Nina crossed the stone to where she stood.
"You… you are returning?" Isabelle asked, her hands folded neatly in front of her dress.
