Celestial Peak's observatory was warm and welcoming. Helena met them at the entrance. Her Thunderbird was perched on its usual lamppost, blue feathers crackling with static. She took one look at the party and smiled.
"Valerie's waiting," she said. "She's been pacing since your clear notification hit the guild registry. Boris is tired of listening to her mutter."
"Did she mutter anything interesting?" Dillon asked.
"She said, and I quote, 'Those crazy kids actually did it.' Then she threatened to double your training regimen if you ever scare her like that again."
"That sounds about right."
Valerie's office was as cluttered as ever. Tower maps covered the walls. Artifacts crowded the shelves. Boris the Yeti snored in the corner, tracking the party through half-closed lids. The TUFF GRANNY mug steamed on the desk.
Valerie herself was standing at the window, her back to the door. She didn't turn when they entered.
