Dornell took in all of us with a nervous expression and flushed. Always the introvert, he reminded me once again of a person who carried too many secrets about the world.A few minutes passed in silence, during which many of us wiped our noses and dried our tears. Then he took a deep breath and said, “we’ll need sympathizers. No matter how much we plan, we’re going to need to trust someone eventually. But the fewer the better. And we’ll also need supplies, supplies and time.”“What if we can’t trust anyone?” Mylannes asked in a shaky voice. “I don’t trust anyone else anymore.”“There must be those who want to help us. There’s no way that there isn’

I had woken up early that morning. Some unseen clock hand ticked past my head at a youthful hour, and without warning I was wide awake, blinking away the sand.I looked around to the windows of our bunk room. I still wasn’t entirely sure whether they opened onto the grounds of the Estate, or to some self-contained courtyard within its dimensions. Dornell would probably know. Either way, judging from the lighting filtering through it was just barely approaching dawn. Sleep had eluded me much of the night, as it often did these days. My shoulders creaked and I cursed under my breath as I swung my legs over the edge of my bunk, hoping not to wake Dornell. Half-hoping. I changed straight from my pajamas into my daywear. I felt in need of a nice hot bath, but also doubted I’d find the motivation to take one this morning anyway.

Threwon and I stayed that way for what seemed like forever, until doors began to open and the shuffling of morning risers could be heard.She broke away from me abruptly, looking terrified. “What am I… Go back to your room! Now!” I hesitated. The Threwon I had known years ago was evident in her features, but a harsh tint of reality now began to return, and I feared that soon, the teacher I liked would again be replaced by our stern overseer.There was so much more to say, but not enough time. Time, damnit! Still, I managed to say the first thing that came to mind in a shaking voice: “So you really

I burst out laughing. Dornell frowned. “I’m serious!! There’s really just no other explanation. Unless somehow we were drugged, and a lot more time passed than we thought, then– ““I’m sorry, but is this really Dornell I’m talking to?!” I asked. “You know, my best friend, the one who always has a perfectly logical explanation whenever something weird is going on? Sorcery?? Gods! I never thought I’d say this, but I’d almost rather be talking to Torvis…”Torvis.I stopped laughing and looked my f

“Severo!!!” I practically shouted. My mouth hung wide open. After nearly ten years without a word, standing there before me was the man I’d come to think of like a father. And he looked older; that told me I wasn’t insane.I stepped forward, tentatively – and a wonderful grin began to awaken upon my face, the first sign of life I’d felt all morning. “Quiet!” Maiden Threwon hissed at me. “Do you want everyone to hear?? This is a most inappropriate meeting.”Maiden Severo just continued to