A job with room and board

Lathel was still standing by the window after his thoughts about the future had settled.

Morning sunlight had flooded nearly the entire room. Behind him, Leviana lay still on the bed, her breathing steady, her lashes no longer trembling the way they had when she first sank into sleep. Given her current condition, she would likely remain asleep for a long while yet.

Lathel turned to look at her for a moment, then down at his own hands.

Leave House Avarenne.

The thought had been there since he woke, but only now that he was thinking seriously did Lathel realize he still had a very practical problem to solve.

'Money.'

He had almost none.

The stipend House Kirlinghalm gave him had never been much to begin with. Beyond what he needed for daily living, most of the savings he'd put together over the past three years had been sent to the Saint Mariel Orphanage on a regular basis.

He had never regretted that.