Terris

By Kate Copeseeley

The battle for who will command the Five Tribes is just beginning, with Surgal seeming to control all the moves and counter-moves.
Nikka has had much confidence in her abilities, but when she experiences a terrible setback, will her faith in Iam's plan remain?
Zyander will learn that beneath the surface of his tribe's new prosperity is a hidden enemy who could cause everything to go teetering over the edge.
Luka finds an uneasy partnership with Surgal, but soon every loyalty he has will be called into question.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Copeseeley
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310354281

Kate Copeseeley

Kate grew up in a household of vociferous readers. Whether via womb or some other kind of nefarious brainwashing, Kate herself also became a vociferous reader, devouring books in just about every genre imaginable.It wasn't long before this led to writing her own stories (in every genre imaginable).

Book preview

Book Description:

The battle for who will command the Five Tribes is just beginning, with Surgal seeming to control all the moves and counter-moves.

Nikka has had much confidence in her abilities, but when she experiences a terrible setback, will her faith in Iam's plan remain?

Zyander will learn that beneath the surface of his tribe's new prosperity is a hidden enemy that could cause everything to go teetering over the edge.

Luka finds an uneasy partnership with Surgal, but soon every loyalty he has will be called into question.

Copyright

Text Copyright © 2015 by Kate Copeseeley

Cover Image Copyright © 2015 Bethel Stoddard

World Map Image Copyright © 2011 Lindsey Anderson

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of the publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

I never wonder to whom I should dedicate each book in this series. Always, always, to my fans. You read, you praise, you encourage, and you change my life. Thank you for helping me over every mental and physical hurdle. This book is truly yours.

Pronunciation Guide

Characters:

Nikka (Ni like Knee -Kah)

Zyander (Zi like High -and -er)

Alea (Ah -lay- ah)

Luka (Luk like Luke -ah)

Adjudah (Ah -Judah ) The D is silent

Jilli (Jill like the name -i is a long eee sound)

Alys (Like Alice, but with a long aaa sound)

Keran (Kee-ran)

Hama (Hae like day-mah)

Koen (Koe like Roe -en like hen)

Joah (like Noah)

Etho (long e -th -long o)

Kanae (Kan like can -ae like day)

Salia (Sal like Paul -ia)

Roder (Rod like Road-er)

Surgal (Sur like Sir-gal like doll)

Keev (K-eev like sleeve)

Citen (C-iten like frighten)

Khara (Khar like car-ah)

Ruik (roo like too -ick)

Carva (car like the vehicle -ah)

Tribes and Titles:

Aquis (Aqu like aqua -is like hiss)

Aeris (Aer like air -is like hiss)

Terris (Terr like air -is like hiss)

Ignis (Ig like big -nis like hiss)

Sanguis (Sang like sang –gu like the gu in iguana -is like hiss)

Divinaris (div like divide -in like in -aris like Aeris)

Compis (com like comma -pis like hiss)

Duor (sounds like drawer without the r)

Roaneu (roan like loan -eu like ewww)

Lumenta (lum like loom -en with a short e -tah)

Unoria (you-nor-ee-ah)

Sharinah (shar like car-eee-nah)

Places:

Praete Lines (like plate with an r)

Praetra (praet like plate with an r -trah)

Abira (Ah -bir like beer -ah)

Awatha (Ah -wa like wall with an l -thah)

Akme (Ahk -me like may)

Napalin (Nap like nap -al like all -in with a long ee sound like between)

Summary of Books 1 and 2:

COMPIS:

There is a nation of tribes; a place where common magic is used alongside elemental magic. In this world of tribes, there are five elements and five tribes that harness them.

Aquis to harness water, fishing, and weather magics

Aeris to harness air, engineering, and inventing magics

Terris to harness earth, growing, and animal husbandry magics

Ignis to harness fire, crafting, and creative magics

Sanguis to harness blood, healing, and potion magics

Here we meet three characters:

Zyander, son of High Council member Adjudah, member of the Ignis

Nikka, daughter of Duor Culten, born into the Aeris

Luka, born into the Aeris

GATHERING

Nikka and Zyander meet during the first year’s gathering, when each 17 year old is chosen for the tribe they will be iInducted into at the end of the year. They have a gathering romance, a common ritual for the many young attendees. Nikka comes from a prosperous tribe and a normal life. Zyander is a bitter member of a tribe that was decimated by the sickness, which left them at a fraction of their number, with practically no magic. His tribe is the poorest in their nation, and as a result, he has a hard time moving past the envy he feels for the other tribes.

When Nikka is chosen to be Compis, a magical being with the ability to harness any element she chooses, their bond is shattered. As Compis, Nikka will also choose her own tribe, something the two of them didn’t take into account when they said goodbye. Now there is a chance they will see each other again, that they might be able to explore deeper feelings for each other, maybe even fall in love.

However, when Zyander is packing to leave for home, he is treated to a lecture by his father on the ethics of being involved with the Compis and they argue and part. Zyander decides to travel down to the forgotten city—Abira—with his friend Alys and search for a way to bring back the power of Ignis magic.

Luka is heartbroken at being parted, through Initiation, from his beloved May. She was chosen for Aeris, he for Terris—the most conservative and introverted tribe in the Five Tribes. He briefly considers joining the tribeless and his friend Ryd—a new acquaintance, but he decides to stay with his new tribe, in the hopes that he can use the extra time to convince May to join him when he runs away.

NIKKA

Nikka travels with Jilli to her home of the season, in Mokar of the Aquis territory. She is introduced to Jerem, Jilli’s handsome nephew and his friend Luba. She is also introduced to Agga, Jilli’s house servant, who is one of the Sea Mothers and Fathers. It’s clear from the start that Agga holds little respect for her employer, when she tips Nikka off to her spying ways. Nikka quickly learns that her talents set her apart from the other Initiates, with whom she has nothing in common and who make her something of an outcast because of her talent.

She seeks out Jerem and Luba and spends time with them instead of on her spell work. Agga is there to tutor her in what she needs to know of common magic, in any case. The little creature has an aptitude for common magic that exceeds many others and she takes up the task of molding Nikka’s great power. Everything is progressing fine until Nikka sees another, darker side of Jerem. The new side of him is abusive, and angry toward his own small servant, Joaga. When Nikka sees that, her world turns upside down. She realizes how little she knows everyone in the Aquis tribe. This is when she dreams for the first time.

Nikka has two dreams. The first dream is about a seal who is taken by net from its watery world and when it emerges from the net on the deck of a boat, it turns into a being very much like Agga. These creatures are the Roaneu. Her second dream features Jilli, who is holding the pelt of a transformed Agga. She cuts the pelt and forces Agga to bend to her will. Nikka awakens, determined to save her friend, even if there is no way to save all of the Roaneu.

With the help of her powers and some of her new knowledge of Aquis spells, she breaks into Jilli’s workshop to find the pelt and use it to set Agga free. In the process, she finds a folder labeled Ignis and sends it to Zyander. She then retrieves the pelt, takes it and Agga to the beach and after making her promise to come at Nikka’s call, watches her leave.

Unfortunately, Jilli felt the loss of power from the pelt and is there to greet Nikka after her release of Agga. Jilli is clear with Nikka that Agga’s loss is nothing and she will have another servant by the end of the day. Nikka vows to save all the Roaneu from their slavery, and she packs up her things and uses the principles she learned from Agga to transport herself back to the Citadel.

ZYANDER

Zyander, meanwhile, has gone to new settlement and joined up with his friend Alys to start their long journey down to the forgotten city. Alys may not believe that they can save the Ignis, but he is always eager to try a new adventure.

During their wet journey southward, Zyander is plagued by a series of dreams:

In the first dream, he is introduced to a vixen. She tells him she was sent by Iam, that she will usher him through Napalin, and that she can see his magic, which is strong. He has a golden palm printed on his chest.

In the second dream, she takes him to a secret waterfall—the sacred birth place of Aeris magic. The vixen tells him that water runs through the earth and the bodies of the creatures in it. She has him swim in the falls and the pond at the foot of it. She tells him that the Five Elements were given to the Five Tribes and the common magics were given to the animals. Humans share common magic in order to stay connected with Iam’s creations.

In the third dream, the vixen makes him climb the Cliffs of Iverside, and tells him that there is no cure for the effects of the sickness. Better that he should consider his tribe forever changed, she says. She also alludes to an important truth that the Five Tribes leaders may not have grasped. All of the elements must remain in balance together. If one element dies, they all do. Iam is invested in saving the tribes. Then she pushes him off the cliff and he flies.

In the fourth dream, they walk into a sacred oak grove, where the vixen made him climb a giant oak and pluck a large acorn from one of the branches. When he lands back on the ground, she has him plant it in the soil. Earth is where we’re born, she says. It grows our food and gives us a grave when we die.

In the Fifth and final dream, she takes him into a cave, where there is a bowl and sharp spike waiting. She tells him that blood is the trickiest of the elements. Blood is not an element of the earth; it was given solely to the beings that live on it. Blood came from Iam directly, and is one of the reasons why the Sanguis are so powerful. Zyan cuts his hand and the blood drips into the bowl. When he wakes up, the cut is still on his hand.

When Zyander and Alys have almost reached the forgotten city of Abira, they are greeted by the fox herself, who until now, Zyander has supposed to be imaginary. She takes them down into the city and leads Zyander to a building that houses the Shining Stones. They represent the magic of his tribe.

She tells Zyander that Ignis magic is not just representative of fire, but also of life’s spark. It is the soul of the five elements and the reason the Ignis were once powerful. She also tells him there is a reason the phoenix is a sacred creature to the Ignis: Their magic can die and yet be reborn. All that is required of him is to smash the stones with the hammer on the wall. He smashes the stones and a great magic overwhelms him. He collapses to the ground, unconscious.

LUKA

Luka is heartbroken and feels out of place among the Terris. He is not allowed to write to May. He can’t figure out what his Lumenta—beast of the soul, which every Terris transforms into—is and he gets stuck with Kanae, his new mentor, because she is a carpenter, like his parents were. He’s made some friends: Joah, Brelle, and Grem, though overall, he feels compelled to stay alone.

He is surprisingly talented at common magic and dreams of flashing feathers and bloody prey, but still, his Lumenta eludes him. Finally, near the close of the season, he goes with the other Initiates to make a call for his Lumenta, and all are surprised at the shrill shrieking cry that escapes him. His Lumenta doesn’t appear, however, so he goes about his business.

It’s only when he runs off to the woods alone, after a distressing conversation with one of the Duor, that he finally meets his Lumenta. It’s a griffin and it seems very irritated with him for calling it.

AERIS:

NIKKA

Nikka ends up at the Citadel alone, which is fine because the Divinaris welcome her with open arms. Her accelerated progress in common magic is confusing to the Divinaris, who point out that the other Compis, Samain, has no such gifts. They promise to keep it a secret, though.

After the fallout with the Ignis and the threat of the Terris to pull out of the Five Tribes altogether, Nikka has to throw her weight around and force them to remain, for now. She then joins Salia, the leader of the Aeris, at her house and gets ready to begin the season.

Almost at once she is confronted by the idea of all her personal information and progress is being recorded in a file that is being passed around between all the most important politicians in the Five Tribes. When she demands to see it, the Divinaris woman refuses and Nikka loses her temper, transports herself elsewhere, and meets the vixen, who agrees to take a turn as a magical tutor.

While the fox teaches her common magic, Nikka also agrees to learn Ignis magic with Zyander and the others in his group, although he takes a firm stance on public displays of affection. After witnessing May and her flirtation with Salia's assistant, Roder, that might not be a bad thing.

It isn't until the gala that Salia invites her to that Nikka suspects anything strange is afoot. But a pair of worried parents show up, and from the way Roder whisks them away, Nikka knows that something bad is happening. She makes it her mission to find out.

Through a series of investigations, she discovers that the parents of the Aeris are involved in a hideous pact with Salia. In return for eternal life, they enter their children in a yearly lottery. The child chosen is drained of blood, which is made into an elixir for all the new Inductees to drink.

The problem is, it's really just a scheme for Salia to give herself long life, with no regard for anyone else. Not only that, but Nikka discovers that her own sister, Roane, was one of Salia's victims. And that her parents have wiped the memories of her sister from her mind.

When Nikka unveils the truth, Salia and her husband are placed under arrest, but no one seems to care that the other tribe members escaped with little or no punishment.

In the final days of her stay with the Aeris, Nikka learns that her sister is strangely impervious to magic. Blinding spells and memory wipes don't work on her. When Nikka looks to see what magic her sister may have, she sees a strange mix of all the magical elements that seem wrapped up in her sister's body. She isn't quite sure what to make of it, however.

LUKA

During the gathering, Luka manages a reunion with May, and the two not only reforge some of the bonds they'd had before Initiation ripped them apart, they create some new ones. But they are once again parted before Luka can get her to promise to run away with him.

Meanwhile, he learns that the griffn that he called is named Khara and she is a Sharina (or ruler) of a griffin kingdom far away. She and Luka are off to a rough start, miscommunications abound, but somehow, they end up friends. In the midst of their getting to know each other, they discover they can share memories, somehow. Luka learns that she ran away from home because of pressure to mate and have heirs for the kingdom. Khara volunteers to teach Luka all about being a griffin, so he'll be able to transform into his Lumenta when the time comes.

Kanae is surprised by his early return from the gathering, but then again, the whole tribe is abuzz over what is going on with the Ignis, whom they see as being punished by Iam. There are rumors of a secret army in the Terris, and tribe members disappearing from among them.

When Khara comes back from hunting one day with a strange tale about what she's seen in the woods, she allows Luka the large favor of riding on her back and takes him to see an army encamped in the woods, led by a Terris with a bear Lumenta.

Luka hurries back to tell Kanae, but is greeted by a letter of rejection from May. After a period of grieving, he finds Kanae and they set off for the camp on foot, so Kanae can see if she recognizes anyone. They're very concerned about a takeover from Koen's secret council.

When they get to the army's camp, they do indeed find someone Kanae knows: Surgal, the leader of the army. When she shouts his name, the soldiers kill her and take Luka captive.

He spends some time working like a slave (literally), then ends up conscripted into Surgal's army, where he spends most of his days getting pounded on by the other recruits. He does manage to extract one piece of information from Surgal, though. The man intends to start a revolution.

ZYANDER

Zyander finds out that his actions have far-reaching consequences when he is informed by his sister that his entire tribe has collapsed. Meanwhile, he has settled into the abandoned house of a former tribe member: Fineall. The man was something of an experimenter, and his theory of Scientia turns out to be a big help to Zyander. Zyander learns he's going to have to write the new spells for Ignis from scratch.

After Alys and the other tribe members wake up, he and Zyander set out to form a team of spell makers, trying to rewrite spells that haven't worked for years. They have to keep hidden from the elders, especially because the elders found out about Zyander's doings in Abira.

Adjudah brings word in the midst of their work. The elders want Zyander to come to them and stand trial for his so-called crimes.

And so, Zyander answers their endless questions about the fox, and the stones, and his new views on magic. All seems to be going well, until an elder by the name of Leena pays him a late night visit. She confesses that even though she doesn't remember much of what happened during the time of the sickness, she has learned that the elders knew all about how to reset the Ignis' magic. They knew that all they had to do was smash the stones and all the tribe's magic would be restored. But they chose not to do it, because they wanted so badly to hang on to the power of the past.

This truth tears Zyander up inside, because he sees this as being the reason his mother didn't survive his sister's birth and the strange fatigue that inflicted her. Zyander loses his temper before the elders, and swears never to reveal the secrets of their new magic. In return, the elders banish him from Awatha and Labaria, threatening to kill him if he ever shows his face again.

Still, he gets called back by Leena when horrible monsters attack the new settlement. Two of them, weird creatures with human-like faces and barbed tails, cut through several ranks of Custaps before Zyander uses his limited magic on them.

It's clear that the Ignis are no longer safe in their own cities. What's also clear is that they need to move everyone to the newly protected city of Abira.

Part 1: Esta Inferna

Heat is a force for change and growth

Heat is the time we burst forth

Feeling the pulse of the sun and its glance

Taking sun as another chance

To live in the moment of perfect warmth from Iam's grace.

-From the Sacred Texts

Chapter 1:

Luka

Revolution. The word was like a hand slapping the back of his neck. Luka wasn't certain what it meant, in the context of the Five Tribes. What was it that Surgal wanted to change?

Luka sat up in his bunk, groaning to himself. The others around him were beginning to stir. If he didn't get ready early, he would be jostled, shoved or accidentally knocked over as he prepared for morning breakfast. His boots might go missing. His practice sword could be misplaced. Or someone might just pound on him for the simple delight of it.

Instead, he got dressed, made his way to breakfast, and started his day among the soldiers, instead of his fellow recruits. While it was true that the story of his interference with Keev and the others' enjoyment of the slave girl had circulated through the camp, they chose to ignore him, rather than pick on him. Many still saw him as a child, he was certain. It would have irked him only a few weeks ago to be considered a greenling—as the Terris called the Initiates. Now, it was a relief being overlooked.

Luka was dressed and out of the tent just as the first of the other recruits was sitting up. His muscles—which still ached, thank you very much—loosened as he jogged toward the meal tent. It wasn't a fast jog, merely a way to warm up the muscles he'd be using soon.

It was a quiet morning for him among the rowdy soldiers. That he was isolated in such a busy place surprised him, but rather than be depressed as he had in the previous months among the Terris, he was content. There was something about being outdoors that soothed him. The exercise—the steady rhythms of the sword, bow, and knife—were a routine that gave him peace of mind. His goal of becoming the best recruit probably wasn't the most illustrious one he could have made for himself, but it was better than moping.

Despite the persecution that some of the other recruits had subjected him to, he wasn't without friends. Citen was a quiet supporter, though she never commented on any of the bullying she saw. She made sure to pair him with fighters that were tough rather than vicious. She gave him the chores that didn't require him to be paired with anyone. She practiced with him one-on-one in their free hours, to give him extra time to hone his skills.

Then there was Surgal, leader of the army, who still met with Luka every night. He was also aware that Luka had made himself an outcast with his fellows, though he didn't interfere. The fact that Luka was invited to Surgal's tent every night was enough to keep some of the more cowardly recruits in line.

Not Marta though, he thought.

Since first meeting Luka, the woman seemed to take an especial delight in picking on him. Her snide comments and sarcastic manner was like the nagging whine of a hungry mosquito. Sometimes he wished that smacking her like a bug would destroy her just as easily. Instead he had to settle for besting her in everything.

He showed them all what a good soldier he could be. Luka was regularly in the top ten of the recruits, if not the top five. Though it did nothing to endear him to the others, it was a source of personal satisfaction to him that he might soon be skilled enough to move up in rank from recruit to soldier. His body was a hardened invention of muscle and bone—almost as though the Aeris had engineered him themselves—and Luka delighted in that fact.

Rising from the table, Luka dumped his bowl in the tub next to the door and circled around to the other side of the tent. His footsteps kicked up the dust that was already whirling about in the heat of the day. It would be nothing compared to how hot the weather would be now that Esta Inferna was starting. Soon his every movement would be permeated with sweat and fatigue. He wondered how he would keep his rigorous routine while slogging through the beating sun.

Citen was waiting at the practice field, sitting in her favorite cross-legged pose. The early morning light reflected off her green head scales. It made her skull seem to glow.

Luka was never able to settle on her attractiveness in his mind. Her yellow eyes and scaled skin repelled him, but her calm and absolute grace with the sword made everything else seem to disappear. How did she come to be so skilled in a tribe where swordplay was no longer the norm? Maybe she had been a peacekeeper. Even they didn't carry swords, however, just carved wooden batons.

Every question he'd asked her about herself was either ignored or given a short, uninformative answer. She was enigmatic, his leader, and he would miss her when he moved up.

She tilted her head when he sat before her, echoing her pose.

Luka. Another early morning for you, she bowed her head in greeting. How far behind you are the others?

A good ten minutes, he said. Upon sitting, he'd jerked on his scabbard until he was able to hold the sword in his lap. He gripped it now, thinking of the day before him.

She stood in one lithe movement.

Then let us make good use of the time. You will help me demonstrate our new lessons today, she beckoned him toward her, so he stood and slid his sword back around to its place.

What are we doing? he asked.

Today, you'll be fighting each other, she said. You have all mastered the positions, both offensive and defensive, and now, instead of the paltry practice against me, you'll be putting all that work to good use.

After they had mastered the basic positions for sword fighting, she'd brought the recruits before her one at a time to test their skills and demonstrate how to properly utilize each position. It was similar to when she stopped a pair of fighters during the hand-to-hand combat, to show a better move or a different option to use.

So we'll be paired up, like we are in hand-to-hand combat?

This will be different in some ways. Sword out, she said. It was the warning she gave each of her fighters.

He drew his sword in the much practiced movement he'd perfected since his first day as a recruit. Luka balanced his weight on the heels of his feet, finding his center of gravity, while he waited for her next instructions.

There were none. Instead she flew at him with the speed and grace he'd only ever seen her use on her fellow soldiers. His mind went blank and he struggled to think of a single thing she'd taught him. She smacked him across the arm with the flat of the sword, brows down.

Luka! Wake up! Where is your defense?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You just surprised me, that's all, he said, trying to keep the whining edge from his voice.

"I surprised you? Citen gaped at him, then frowned fiercely. When you go into battle, Luka, do you think the enemy will say to you, 'I'm going to strike at your arm, then loop under your guard to slice your chest'? Always. Maintain. Your guard." She struck him on the arm again with each statement, driving home his humiliation.

Sword out! she said again, and this time, when she moved he was at least able to remember his block, though he fumbled with the sword like the greenling he pretended not to be. Citen kept going this time, however, coming at him from every side. He forgot everything—the camp, the recruits who were suddenly all standing around watching them, and even that this was a practice match. Luka's mind focused on keeping her sword from marking him.

Suddenly, she stopped. He was still standing, sword in the air, chest heaving. The sweat was trickling down his neck and the morning breeze felt so good on his face.

The other recruits were staring at the pair of them, many with jealousy that Luka could see, it was so clear. Some looked merely curious.

Today will be your first day of no more practice. In the coming weeks you will be paired against each other in actual combat of the sword, and then you will be paired against the other soldiers, said Citen. This is to prepare you for a move up in the ranks, but also to hash out your weaknesses before they become hindrances.

She assigned pairs, but there was an odd number of them, so for the day, she became Luka's partner.

I will be working with each one of you, so be prepared for your turn. Swords out!

The world became a cacophony of sound: grunting, clanging, shouting. Luka was immersed in it, and could only make out some of the details as he fought for his life. He knew that Citen was holding back and he also knew that she would never hurt him, but she made it clear that as much as his skills had improved, he still had far to go.

Zyander

As soon as his team in Abira was off on their assorted tasks, Zyander traveled via Praete Line back to Awatha to help sort out the chaos that was still being dealt with. He stepped off the platform in the midst of a teeming crowd, many weeping and shouting at the sight of their loved ones injured, dead, or come back safe. The creatures he and the Custaps had killed had been dragged back for the people to exclaim over and even now, the Sanguis milled about the square, working to comfort and heal.

He spotted his father in the crowd and made his way over, pushing and shoving through what must have been the entire city's population. A little girl was crying near him, having fallen over in the rush of the crowd. Zyander picked her up and looked her over, but she was more frightened than hurt.

Where are your parents, little one?

She pointed with a tiny finger toward a couple who seemed to be frantically looking for something. He took a detour to return her to them and then finally arrived at his father's side.

What is your plan? Zyander asked, not as a son, but as a member of the Ignis looking for guidance. What are you going to do?

The Sanguis are going to use a burial preservation spell on one of the corpses and we will present the body of the creature at a meeting of the High Council next week. After the Sanguis leave, one of the elders will address the people, inform them of the coming evacuation, and give them instructions on what to bring and how we will proceed.

Adjudah sighed, wiping a hand over his eyes. I know you're tired, Zyan, but I think it would help if you said something. The elders would disagree, I'm sure, but it's time the people knew what was going on—outside of 'if odd things happen to you, don't tell the Sanguis'. I think the elders will hold off on informing the general population about the events of last season unless you force the subject. It's time to pull together as a tribe and figure out a way to protect ourselves from this newest hiccup on the road to our recovery.

Zyander looked out over the crowd and nodded.

I hadn't planned to let the elders continue their reign of confusion and disinformation much longer, so I suppose today is as good a day as any.

~~~~~

It was hours later that the Sanguis left their posts, promising to return in the morning. The Ignis had contracted long ago with them for the bare minimum in healing services—catastrophic injuries only—but in the face of the day's developments, the elders had chosen to dip into their funds for full healing for every tribe member that had helped in the defense against the creatures who'd attacked the new settlement.

The uninjured Custaps had cleared a space in the square and erected a platform that was often used in tribal ceremonies. It was there that the majority of the crowd had gathered to wait and hear what the elders might or might not tell them.

Zyander stood by to watch what they'd say. The air grew cooler as dusk fell, making his tired body sag with fatigue. Was it only this morning that he had been fighting for his life and the lives of the Custaps?

Good people of Ignis, I'm sure you've heard by now of the tragedy that struck the tribe members living in the new settlement. A third of our goat herd has been destroyed, New Settlement is a shambles, and its residents have found shelter elsewhere. At every turn, our tribe is in peril, and this new development has brought to light new dangers in our lives. We must leave Awatha and travel back to Abira, dwelling there for a time.

There was an uproar at these words and a loud tumult as tribe members expressed objections. People around him were screaming questions, demanding to know why they must leave their homes and how they would gain more protection in Abira.

Zyander was taken aback by the amount of venom displayed in the square. He'd never seen anyone stand up to the elders, or express displeasure at their words—at least not openly. Yet here he was, in the midst of thousands of his fellow Ignis, and they were livid. He knew it was from fear, but it was clear that the Elders were losing their hold on the crowd. Some seemed ready to rush the stage, and others were leaving the place to go back to their homes, presumably.

Why won't they just tell us the truth? Zyander asked.

A woman turned to him, faced bunched, eyes fierce. Because they don't care enough about us to tell us what's really going on. How can they hope to continue deceiving us? We need to think of our families.

He felt the weight of his past actions piling upon him. It's my fault.

What?

I'm the one who caused this.

Zyander pushed through the crowd, moving toward the stage. He heard the woman sputtering behind him, but moved on, parting the people as he went.

Most of the elders frowned at the sight of him, Golan included. But others, such as Leena, sighed and even smiled.

He curled an arm over the lip of the stage and pulled himself up onto it. Some of the crowd was silenced by his appearance. The majority of the tribe members kept up their noisy and disorganized ranting, and Zyander raised his hands so they would see he had something to say. It took a few moments, but curiosity had overtaken the remaining listeners and they quieted down.

"Many of you know me because of my father, Adjudah. You've seen me grow up here, in Awatha, a complaining youngster and surly teen. If you don't know me because I'm my father's son, perhaps you've seen the notices that name me a criminal in the eyes of the Elders.

My name is Zyander and four months ago I cast a spell to return our magic to us.

There was some noise at this revelation, but the crowd quieted down again when he continued.

"The sleep we all experienced was not the return of the sickness, but rather a restoration. We now have within us the seeds of magic, which will allow us to take back the heritage and significance that the sickness took away.

This act of mine was not without consequences. One of them was the week's long sleep we experienced. The other was that a few ancient and intricate spells were broken. There was a preservation spell over Abira that no longer exists. There were also many dangerous and magical creatures that our ancestors had bound by magic that have now been freed. The creatures we killed today were two of them. I'll be honest and tell you I don't know how many countless others there are out in Napalin. However, I don't think they will see Awatha's borders and hesitate to invade it.

So how will moving to Abira be any better? It's right near the heart of Napalin, someone yelled.

I put a protective spell over the city and the creatures cannot breech it.

Why can't you do that here? another person asked.

For the simple reason that the source of Ignis magic is located in Abira. It gave me the power I needed to tap into for such a large spell. But of this I assure you, the entire city of Abira—to its very borders—is safe from those creatures. Listen to the elders as they outline their evacuation plan. Save yourselves from more peril. Save your children.

Zyander left the stage and Golan resumed his speech, which was now a set of instructions for each family on how to proceed over the next few days.

On his way out of the square, a hand grabbed his arm. It was a uniformed Custap, one of the few he had fought with that morning that had survived the battle.

Where will you be staying tonight? he asked.

At my father's house, I imagine. Why?

We're posting sentries at the borders of the city until all of the residents have left. If anything happens, I hope we can come to you for help.

Zyander nodded, and made his way back to the house.

Nikka

Early in the morning, Nikka's sister wept, her face pressed into her older sister's now damp shirt. They were at the Praete Line, where Teah, Roder, May, and Jona were waiting to leave for the gathering. The Initiates arrived in clumps with their bags for the week, looking tired but excited. The gatherings at the start of the seasons meant treats and trinkets—everyone enjoyed their arrival.

The last gathering had been exciting enough, what with the Ignis' mysterious collapse, and the Terris' abrupt departure from the Citadel. There was no telling what this gathering would bring. She knew that there would be discussions about the appearance of dangerous and magical creatures in the Ignis' territory. Nikka was also due to meet Zyander there. Other than that, she'd have to wait to see what the next week had in store for her.

She pulled Teah away from her by the arms and stooped down to look her sister in the eyes.

Teah, please, don't cry. I promise I'll see you again. Didn't I already tell you that?

I know the tribal laws. I know that once you choose your tribe, you're not allowed to see me again, said Teah, sniffling as she rubbed her eyes.

Nonsense. I'll never be a part of those rules, said Nikka. She glanced at Jona—the new High Council member—and Roder to make sure they weren't listening. Listen, remember what we talked about when I showed you my wings?

Teah nodded when reminded of the conversation where she had revealed to Nikka that she could see through the spells that the adults had placed on her. Nikka still had yet to figure out her sister's unique powers, but she was confident that after she'd done some research, she would know more about them.

We're not like the others. Those rules don't apply to us, said Nikka, voice lowered. She brushed a strand of her sister's hair out of her eyes, lingering to caress her soft young cheek. Now, don't cry anymore. I'll be back to see you soon. Nothing is going to keep us apart, certainly not a bunch of fuddy-duddies.

Teah giggled and hugged her once more, a tight squeeze about the neck that stole Nikka's breath and made her heart ache.

Then she left without another word and Nikka took her place with the others who were off on their way to the Citadel.

I suppose you know where you're supposed to go, said Jona, when they had arrived in the city. I would leave you in the care of a Divinaris, but I know how stubborn you are about them.

Nikka gave her most recent guardian a half smile and a hug.

I know my way well enough, she said. She hugged May and promised to