With daylight breaking and the storm still raging, Gabriel kept vigil while his sanctus-mended leg continued to ache. Surveying the frozen landscape, he recognized the broad strip of ice as the Mère River and realized they had reached his homeland, Nordlund, for the first time in ten years.

From within the sheltering carcass of Fortuna, Dior awoke and struggled out, shaken and blood-smeared but alive. Gabriel helped clean her, returned her clothes, and confirmed they were close to Château Aveléne. Dior, despite shock and injury, steadied herself, paid respects to Fortuna, and insisted they continue forward.

They followed the Mère’s frozen banks for four exhausting days, battered by cold and aware of a relentless presence trailing them. At last, they sighted Aveléne: a grim, basalt castle atop a mont with stout walls and watchfires—one of the first signs of enduring human refuge they had seen since leaving Sūdhaem.

As they approached, Gabriel recounted Aveléne’s origins, named for Queen Aveléne who died in childbirth, and revealed his personal history there: he and Astrid had found sanctuary within its walls; they were wed there, and their daughter Patience was born in the castle.

Challenged at the gate by wary guards, Gabriel showed his left hand and asked them to summon their captain, declaring himself as Gabriel de León. After a tense wait, the drawbridge opened. Baptiste rushed out and embraced Gabriel with overwhelming joy, and moments later Aaron arrived, equally moved, greeting Gabriel as an old brother-in-arms.

In the reunion’s aftermath, Aaron asked why Gabriel had come north. Gabriel said they needed help and indicated that Dior in particular needed their aid. Baptiste took note of Dior, and Gabriel urged them to fetch wine and talk, setting the stage for explaining Dior’s situation and the peril that had followed them to Aveléne.