Noble took in the news, processing it through what she already knew. Rain wasn't dead. Beyond her feeling that Rain was alive, Noble knew that Sunny would never let her die.
So why hadn't Sunny carted her to safety as soon as she had fallen from Fluer and Ray's sight? Noble was pretty sure she knew the answer.
At Ray's words, Fleur's eyes welled up with tears.
"I'm sorry, Professor! Rani's a sweet girl. Were you close?"
It was Ray's turn to nudge his companion. "They came down here to get news on her…"
Fleur nodded. "Of course. You must know her well."
"Yes, we do." Noble did not elaborate. These were sweet kids, but she didn't want to reveal her exact relationship with Rain without first talking to Fort. Admitting they knew where their daughter had been this whole time could be problematic if certain people found out.
"Oh, Professor!" Fleur seemed unable to contain herself as she threw her arms around Noble.
A moment later, the floating woman felt the fatigue of days of no sleep begin to melt away.
"Do not lose hope. Rani fell with Tamar. Tamar is alive, and I am sure she would have rescued Rani when they fell if she could! It's possible that they are together and heading this way at this very moment!"
Noble gently pulled away from the girl. While she appreciated that the young woman was easing her exhaustion, Noble could feel just how worn out Fleur was herself. The young Awakened needed to conserve her essence.
"How are you sure Tamar is alive?"
Noble furrowed her brow. She could feel that the stoic legacy had not perished, but she was very curious about how Fleur was so certain.
"The echo outside," Ray explained. "He belongs to Tamar. "She must have ordered him to protect us instead of her. He saved us more than once on our journey back here, both by pulling a wagon full of injured people and fighting off monsters that attacked. Between him and the contingent of Awakened who found us along the way, we made incredible time. Now that we are here, we have tried to tell him to go find Tamar, but he cannot go against her command."
"But as long as he's still summoned, we know Tamar is alive. And if she is, maybe Rani is too." Fleur pressed her hands together, her face full of hope.
"Thank you, Fleur." Noble smiled softly. "I am sure they will make it out one way or another."
She was afraid to tell Fleur what she believed was true.
Rain and Tamar were together as Fleur hoped, but since Sunny would not have let Rain be seriously injured, Tamar must have been the one who was hurt. That was the only reason that Noble could find for why the girl had not been returned safely to the crew while it was traveling back to Ravenheart.
Rain would never abandon someone who was injured, and Sunny would not reveal himself to Tamar.
Not only would the legacy find a person coming out of a girl's shadow unnerving, but Tamar had met another of Sunny's incarnations.
If Tamar connected those dots…
'That could be very bad.'
Noble only hoped the pair…trio with Sunny…was safe. Perhaps they were already at another citadel. If not, she hoped they were close to one. Noble was almost certain that they weren't heading in the direction of Ravenheart, so that only left them a few options.
'You can do it, Rainy!' Noble silently wished her well. The emotion traveled to a far-off place, but whether it reached the dark-haired girl, Noble wasn't sure.
She turned her attention back to the teens in front of her. "I am glad you both are safe. It sounds like you could both use a rest and time to recuperate."
"That's what I've been trying to tell Fleur. We need to find somewhere to spend the night, and I heard while we were waiting at the gate that the city is more full than usual. So we either need to look in earnest for an inn or we will have to go to the palace and try our luck in the waking world." Now that the worst was over, Ray looked like he might collapse.
Based on his words, both he and Fleur had their real bodies in the Dream Realm, so the physical exhaustion would remain even if they returned to earth.
"You can bed down in one of the offices here," Virt offered, then winced as he looked around. "But I doubt this will be the most comfortable option with all the medical care that still needs to be done."
"I have a better solution." Noble pursed her lips. "Ray can stay with us on our couch, and Fleur can stay with our dear friend, Sarai."
"I don't want to leave Fleur alone," Ray protested.
"We have two teenage boys," Fort explained. "They are very kind, but I am afraid they will be a little too attentive to a young lady who needs care. Fleur will find Master Sarai's house more accommodating for genuine rest and a warm, uninterrupted bath."
"If that's the case, then perhaps I could..."
"We accept," Fleur cut off Ray's protest. "Ray will be happy to bunk with you, and I'll make sure not to be a burden. It is a very generous offer."
The couple locked eyes for a moment and had a silent conversation. Noble could guess that a warm bath and a chance to relax without being asked if she was taking care of herself sounded heavenly to Fleur. It wasn't that she didn't care for Ray. It was just hard to decompress in front of him.
Ray seemed to get the message. He smiled and squeezed her hand. "Thank you both for taking care of us."
"It's the least we can do." If these two Awakened had helped keep Rain safe even for a short amount of time, Fort was more than willing to give them a bit of warmth and comfort after the grueling journey.
"I guess it's settled then." Noble nodded. "You can both join us for dinner, and I'll send a message to Sarai so she knows to expect Fleur. Don't worry. Dear Sarai will be overjoyed to have a houseguest."
Virt coughed lightly. "Well, I will take my leave then. I do hope Rani is fine."
Noble could tell by his emotions that he doubted it. She couldn't blame him too much. If not for the Saint in the girl's shadow and the emotional connection between mother and daughter, Noble would doubt it herself and likely be scouring the countryside for any sign of the missing girls.
"I will let you know when I know something. Thank you for the message, Virt. It means a lot that you are looking out for Rani. And don't worry about the transfer. Rani is determined and would have found a way with or without you." Noble shook the man's hand. Her small smile faded. "As for taking your leave, you may want to put a pause on that. I believe you have another visitor."
The floating woman turned toward the door. It seemed she wouldn't need to look for the person whom she had sensed on the ice bridge earlier.
He had found her.