Zanna awoke, opened one eye, yawned, then stretched trying to get comfortable again under her blanket.

"Esta, come on, we are going to miss our first-flight ceremony! Get up, sleepyhead!" yelled Phaendara from the door of Esta's room.

It only took a moment for the words to penetrate her sleepy thoughts. She sat straight up in her bed, catching her feathery wings on the headboard. Ouch, that hurt. That's right. It is today, the day she graduates from child to young elfin acolyte! Where are her slippers? She needs to get dressed!

"I will be right there! " said Esta loudly as she pushed out from under her covers to find her slippers.

Zanna was confused as these thoughts and words came tumbling out of her. Did she die?