The Alpha Queen They Once Threw Away
The journey itself proved considerably more arduous than any previous expedition, terrain growing increasingly unfamiliar and challenging as we traveled beyond every territory our confederation had ever formally mapped, weeks of careful, cautious travel through landscapes none of us had previously encountered throughout this remarkable, extended journey.
"How much further," Wren asked one evening, nearly a month into our travel, her twelve year old patience understandably strained despite her characteristic thoughtful maturity.
"According to our scouts' reports, perhaps another week," I said, settling beside her near our evening campfire. "Are you frightened?"
She considered the question wit