We leave the Low Tide Grove when the light over the Academy has already started to change.
The way back feels shorter without Rank C monsters crashing through trees toward us. Even so, neither of us is exactly presentable. The brackish water has dried into the clothes, leaving dark stains; my boots carry mud past the ankles; and Freya still has leaves caught in her hair despite pulling several out during the walk.
She holds Veilfang by the closed blade against her forearm, studying the dagger every so often. The metal reacts to the passage through the grove, taking on tones of bark, moss, and blue as the position of her hand changes.
It takes her a while to ask.
"I still don't get why you gave me this."
"Because with me it would end up sold."
Freya looks at the dagger, then at Kraken strapped to my back.
"You just got an extremely rare Rank C relic and your first idea is to sell it?"
