บท 79: Woman's Identity Revealed

They settled onto the edge of the bed, the rough-spun blanket scratching at William's skin. The woman, though her eyelids drooped with weariness, listened attentively as he recounted his tale. He described the mission, the betrayal, the harrowing escape, and his desperate flight through the wilderness. He confessed his ignorance about his current location and his inability to find his way back to Snowpeak Academy.

The woman's brow furrowed as she absorbed his story. "Something doesn't add up," she mused, her voice thoughtful. "You mentioned traveling for a day on a griffin, yes?"

"That's correct," William confirmed. "At least, that's how long it felt."

"That's the problem," the woman explained. "To the best of my knowledge, it would take at least three months to reach this location by griffin, even with favorable winds. Are you certain that's all the time that passed?"