Anya soon led Invar to the inn and escorted him inside. She greeted the innkeeper warmly and handed him a small pouch of coin before exchanging a few more words and a laugh or two.
"You're room is third on the left, Dmetri. I wish you luck in your journey. Nidra guard your dreams."
"Eternal gratitude, ma'am." Invar said, bowing his head.
Anya returned the gesture and turned to depart before whispering something else to the innkeeper and chuckling. The innkeeper called out for a barmaid to escort Invar to his room. After arriving, Invar gave the barmaid a bow before eventually needing to shoo her out of the room. This wasn't the time. He almost wanted to stay the night though. But no, he finally had a lead and he needed to act on it as soon as possible for his sister's sake. Comfort would have to wait.
Once he was sure there was nobody within earshot, Invar squeezed himself through the window in his room onto the snow-covered backstreet. Dusting himself off, he made his way for the main gate. The guards seemed perfectly happy to let him out, or at least happier than they were to let him in, and he was soon at the market square near where he first entered the city. The sun was already beginning it's descent. Invar would have to move fast if he was to reach the forest before nightfall. The stream of people into the city had abated and Invar found himself nearly alone apart from the guards and a handful of beggars and lowlifes that weren't allowed in. Shrugging off the cold Invar made his way to the forest. Looking for any sign Sari might have left for him. After an hour of searching, he noticed a plume of smoke rising over the canopy into the darkening sky. He set off for it immediately. Even if it wasn't Sari, he wouldn't last the night without some sort of shelter.
Once he made it to the camp, he breathed a sigh of relief and a chuckle at the sight of his sister struggling to set up her tent; Getting her hind legs tangled in ropes and such.
"Capable as ever, eh sister?" Sari looked over and widened here eyes before letting out a laugh.
"Back already, brother? Big city not to your liking?"
"Perfectly passable. Tragically we have urgent business to attend to."
"You have a lead?"
"Yes. I found out how centaurs are made, and the group that's responsible. If anyone could change you back, it'd have to be them." Sari let out something between a sigh and a laugh.
"I'll be damned. You pulled it off."
"No, no, sister. The whole point of this was for you not to be damned. But yes, I did." Invar said with no small grin on his face.
"Tell as many ill-fated jokes as you want, brother. You've earned it." Sari said, shaking her head, her smile unabated.
"I'll tell no such jokes. I speak only the truth, dear sister." Sari tried and failed to wipe the smile from her face.
The siblings slept soundly that night and rose fresh and ready for their journey to the mountains. The light snow did little to dampen their spirits as they packed their belongings and scarfed down their breakfast. Even Alvar seemed to be in a better mood than usual. The siblings made sure not to let their guard down however, choosing to remain off the highway to avoid detection as they made their way northwest.
"What do you suppose you'll do once your human again?"
"I suppose we'll have to make our way home, won't we?"
"Father may never let you out of the house again after this. You sure you're willing to risk that?"
"Father's never been able to stop me from doing what I've wanted to do. Besides, I could do with a fair stretch of home life, at least until the snow thaws."
"I suppose we'll need a cover story for what we've been up to, won't we sister?"
"Sooner or later." Sari said with a shrug.
"Let's say we were both kidnapped by bandits. They brought us far to the east. But they made the mistake of kidnapping me. After I escaped, I freed you and together we made our way home." Sari let out a hearty laugh.
"Ah yes, my brother, the great hero." Invar puffed out his chest and raised his chin.
"At your service, madame." Both siblings let out a laugh.
