I walk back to the Academy beside Freya.
She carries one of the bags and I carry the other. We could have put everything in our inventories, but doing it this way somehow feels more natural.
The way to the administrative building is quiet, but not heavy. Freya seems busy with her own thoughts, and I have no interest in filling every gap with some attempt to make her feel better.
At the entrance to the central sector, I recognize one of the instructors coming down the stairs.
"If you find Rector Dean, tell him Freya Gunnulf is with me. We're heading to the observatory."
The man looks at the bags before turning his attention back to us.
"Is she all right?"
"She is. Tell him that too."
He nods and heads off in another direction.
We climb.
The observatory is empty when we arrive. Dean must still be handing out orders across the Academy or trying to reconstruct the route Freya would have used to leave.
I set the bag down near the door.
