Mesh'la squeezed Cariad's hand, looking over with a smile. She was relieved that Cariad was with her. Whatever they found, she would not be alone to face it.

They traveled in companionable silence for several more minutes, Mesh'la wrestling with how to tell Cariadwen why she was really out here. She deserved to know the truth. It wasn't likely it would change anything, but it was still difficult to bring up.

"I ...I asked where it was they found me." Mesh'la clutched at her friend's hand like it was a lifeline. "When I was a baby. In case ...in case she's still out there."

She'd stopped walking, and looked down at their hands entwined together. "She abandoned me, but I keep wondering. I don't know if I can ever stop wondering about her."