[Panel 1]
(Emerald dozes in a chair in the nursery, with Ava on her shoulder. Her face is stained with tears.)
Emerald: *z z z~*
[Panel 2]
[Off Panel]: Your Majesty...?
(Emerald snaps awake, her ears popping forward with her eyes opening.)
Emerald: Oh! Kieran!
[Panel 3]
(Kieran stands across the room from her. His ears are back, and his face is taught. He's dressed causally, so he was notified only moments earlier.)
Emerald: [Off panel] Do you have news?
[Panel 4]
(He answers after an uncomfortable moment.)
Kieran: Your Majesty-- Emerald.
Kieran: They've found Orrin... But.
[Panel 5]
Kieran: [Off panel] He's--
Emerald: He's gone.
(Her ears fall back, and tears well up in her eyes.)
