The Courtyard was the closest thing to anywhere familiar that Valyn had found in this place. It reminded him of the gardens back home, if less elegant and expansive. It was still a relaxing, pretty place.

And ancestors knew he needed to relax. His nerves were up again, as they tended to be when he was faced once more with how completely hopeless their situation was.

And he couldn't make Shadow understand. It frustrated him that his cousin couldn't seem to grasp that it was impossible to compare this place and these adversaries to anything they knew. Oh, Valyn knew he'd done the same in the beginning, and that Shadow would realize, but...

He shouldn't have to learn the way I did.

At least it took his mind off of Shana. That was something he had no desire to deal with any time soon. Sighing, the young elven lord stretched out on a bench and folded his hands behind his head.

At least he could rest some.