The Shrine on the high mountain took its wisps back like a mother taking back sleeping children.
The great storm-being had gone very still when the family walked in with the soft cluster of lights drifting behind them, and stiller yet when the wisps left the shelter of Aria's banner and rose all at once toward the coils of turning dark. They scattered up into the being's countless lights and settled there, glowing bright and content, home at last, and for a long moment, the being said nothing at all. When it finally spoke, some of the vast weight had gone out of its voice, leaving only something quiet and worn and grateful.
"You brought them back," it said. "All of them. I did not let myself believe you would."
