The Return of the Novice

ly behind them, sealing once more with a hiss of finality. Though the sky above was blue and soft with early sunlight,

mer with the power that had coursed through her in the vision.

bout her felt

he faraway loo

r than usual,"

oughts. "And then... her. My mother. Elenara. She told me there a

again-'twin of the flame.' Could be

er it is, it's important. I could fee

n it's time we start tracking the other embers. If there are oth

ebrow. "You always

t's just say I li

ous path-treacherous cliffs, sudden fog, and strange sounds that drifted through the trees at night. But Emily di

ream that evening, Emily stood by the

d of the Dreambinde

legends. Said they could walk through the dreams of others. Bend

herself," Emily murmured. "T

an you realize. The Order spent decades wiping out her kin

fire, her jaw tightening.

"That's t

rs of their fire. Her thoughts were loud-too loud to sleep. The

Though she hadn't opened it since leaving Eldorath

on her lap and open

line had been written across the parc

ss through the Valley of Smoke

d the word

bur

eyes-a long valley choked in mist, old stone pillars covered in symbol

anished jus

the book shut,

e wasn't just reading prophecy any

ut before her hand reached

tst

Cont

edge of t

gger. Shadows flickered j

d shot upright,

called out

he name of the Sanctum O

al of the Order. One bore a spear crackling with light. Another held a crystal

l muttered. "E

"You were warned, Emily. Return the book. Come

the dagger still cl

ing anywher

stepped forward. "The

Lied about who I am. If anyone should be ex

ssion hardened. "

napped. "You

"There are only three of them," he s

r hands were steady. "No. L

osed h

behind he

t fully understand-a word that had

val

l. The wind circled her, responding to her voice

d her hands, trying to cast a shield, but the fl

rk on Emily'

dened. "What a

mily whispered. "

en slammed into the earth between her and

"She's awakened the old fir

to the shadows,

collapsed to one knee, panting. H

incredible. You just channeled ra

tween breaths. "It was like... it re

up. "They'll be

y said. "But n

ond the trees lay the Valley of Smoke. The twin

... other

no longer just

the ashes of lies, and into

shadow was

would never fo