His heart felt like it would break out of his chest. Vidvan couldn’t even decide which was the greater cause for that – the fact he was breaking his Master’s trust or the thought of seeing Tavesh.

The world outside was even larger now that he wasn’t stepping into it with someone at his side. And while he knew where the barracks were, it became hard to breath when he considered nearing the place. Someone would see him, recognize him. Or, even worse, not recognize him and question why he was there at all. There was no way he could get out of that.

Instead, he went into the city. So many people lived inside the walls Vidvan had always lived in. But there were so many more people out here.

It was hard to breathe.

It was hard to stop from smiling.