Sunset had fallen as Vena laid atop her bed, poring over documents covered in scrawled apothecial terms. Through the window drafted a light breeze that briefly swayed the pages and carried the sound of her joyful children returning home. She sat up as the chatter continued through the front door where Bram, who'd been relaxing in the family room, stood to greet them.

"How was the festival?" he asked enthusiastically, masking his earlier despair and clasping his hand with Vena's when she joined him.

"You won't believe how much food I ate!" Lillian cried, and began listing them on her fingers. "We had the grilled, marinated beef, the battered perch, roasted vegetables, those sugared pastries—"

"We saw the wizards' display!" Irwin shook his head as he regained his composure. "Now I don't know if I want to pursue scholary or thaumaturgy, but since I have all of summer holiday to decide, I really shouldn't fret—"

Lillian had enough of his rambling and put out her hand. "Ellie got you both something."

The room grew quiet as Bram and Vena watched their eldest daughter with curious, expectant eyes. With a small, breathy laugh, Ellie reached into her bag. "Well, Irwin and Lillian also helped pay for them, so it's not fair to say only I got you something." Resting in her palm was a folded cloth, which she unwrapped to reveal two small, matching jadeite gemstones with soft, red strands looped through them. She then dropped one in each of her parents' hands. "They're charms. A craftsman from a country along the gulf's west edge was selling them at his stall. We thought you might like them."

"He said they're blessed by priests," Lillian added. "They're supposed to bring good fortune and good health."

Bram and Vena stared at their little charms, and neither could resist tearing up at the sentiment. But in doing so, their children worried that the gift gave the wrong impression. Vena noticed the knits in their brows, smiled, and waved her hand.

"I'm sorry, we're just so touched." She pulled Bram and their children into a tight hug.

"We love them," he added. "Thank you for such a thoughtful gift."

After pulling away, Vena looked at the charm again and ran her thumb over it. "They're beautiful, but I hope they weren't too expensive."

"They were two silver each," Irwin said. "But the craftsman let us have both for three."

Ellie let out a sigh. "Irwin. You're not supposed to tell someone how much their gift cost."

"Oh, sorry! I—I was just happy we saved a silver."

"Well, I hope you had enough coins to get little treasures for yourselves, too." Bram pointed to Lillian. "Especially you, you little glutton."

"Oh, did I get a little treasure or what!" Lillian tucked her thumbs beneath a small frog brooch pinned to the breast of her tunic. "Take a look at this!"

"How cute," Vena smiled. "He sure is sticking that one leggie out there."

Irwin held out the compact tome he had been holding with his other book. "I found a pocket guide to the other known Shards."

"That must be some pocket to be able to hold that," Bram laughed.

Ellie simpered and reached back into her bag when her parents turned to her. "Well, everyone knows how much I love green, but that would be too predictable if I got something in that color!" In her hand sat a silver brooch shaped like a flower and its stem, set with red gemstones for the petals. "Instead, I got something that might make a nice contrast."

"Ellie, that's gorgeous," Vena gasped. "That's not garnet, is it?"

"Oh gods, no, I'd never be able to afford it if it was. I think it's just cut glass, but I thought it was pretty, regardless," she chuckled. "Grandma said the dress she'd bring me for the banquet would be green, so I thought it'd look nice with that."

"Speaking of which; she brought it by earlier. It's laid out on your bed."

The smile faded from Ellie's face. "They've already come and gone?"

"Yes, but they regretted missing the three of you. They're on a tight schedule and had to set out earlier today, not long after Lillian left. Must've taken a different route, if you didn't see them."

"How long will they be gone?" Irwin asked.

"A few months," Vena replied. "But they'll be back before your autumn holiday."

Bram glanced at the few dirty dishes peeking from the kitchen sink. "Did you all get enough to eat at the festival?" Ellie and Irwin replied with a resounding 'yes', and Lillian merely cackled. "Good, we figured you might, so we already had dinner."

"I'm so exhausted, I don't think I could eat even if I wanted to." Irwin began shuffling toward the stairs. "In fact, I'm gonna lay down before I pass out."

"Agreed, my feet are starting to feel sore." Lillian followed behind.

Vena reached out and touched Ellie's arm as she passed. "Don't go to bed quite yet. We should try on that dress first." Vena beamed at her daughter, waiting and hoping for her to agree, then giggled when Ellie nodded eagerly. "Good, head up and I'll join you in a few minutes."

After all three children had gone upstairs, Bram and Vena looked to one another and once again admired their charms. He sobbed softly and bit his lip, then leaned into his wife's arms while clutching the precious gift to his chest. When she'd buried her face in Bram's hair, Vena whispered to him comforts and reassurances before giving him a tender kiss.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Ellie let out a disapproving grunt as she fiddled with the dress fasteners on her back, just beside her shoulder blades. The sight was enough to stir a chuckle from Vena when she entered the room, then made for her daughter's side to lend help.

"I shouldn't be surprised that Grandma was a small woman, even at my age," Ellie sighed.

"It's the curse of the boobie lady," Lillian commented from her perch on her bed. From the mirror she received a glare from her sister and a raised brow from her mother.

"Well, there's a name I haven't heard in awhile," Vena said. "Wonder whatever happened to Missus Basam? Must've kicked her youth tonic addiction." She fastened the dress and stepped back to look Ellie over. "I think you'll be fine. The fabric will relax throughout the evening. But it does seem like the only tight area is around your shoulders." She poked her daughter gently, making her squirm away from the tickle with a little squeal.

"I like the dark green for a change," Lillian added. "I mean, it's still green, which you wear all the time. But it's darker, so it's different."

"I literally wore a blue dress today." Ellie picked up the bundled garment from the dresser.

"Such a big difference. Today was blue, tomorrow is dark green. The day after that will probably be blue-green!"

Ellie chucked the balled up dress at her sister, forcing from her a wicked chuckle.

"Oh, how was it when you turned just now? Was it too tight?" Vena asked, too focused on the dress to care about the usual playful dispute between her daughters. She nodded thoughtfully and tugged the skirt of the dress to straighten it out when Ellie shook her head. "It'll definitely be fine then. And you're right; that brooch will look lovely with this dress."

"I think so, too," Ellie yawned. "I also think the day's excitement is wearing off."

"Time for bed, then." Grinning, Vena turned her daughter around and began helping her unfasten the dress.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Within Phiana's southeast district laid a derelict building—just one of many on that particular street. But this one, unlike the others, was far from abandoned. Just beneath its surface was a room decorated like a tiny chapel, where several cloaked people had gathered in silent prayer before an idol of a staff adorned with the sun.

Below even that was another room, of which was the destination of Isadore Renard after watching his fellow Solarists plead to their deity for Her blessing and fortune. He descended the dark, stone staircase and gave the solitary door a light knock before being granted entry from the other side.

In the room beyond was a circular table, which seated several people donned with holy robes and small amulets of the sun, not unlike that which Isadore wore. Theirs was an order unwelcome in a city—an entire country—devoted and governed by belief in the Triad. A cult, they were called, but surely once those naysayers knew Her benevolence and devotion to protecting all her children from 'vile bloods', Solarists too would be as welcomed guests in the Holy City, as other religions were. That was, until the day they exposed the fraudulence of the Triad and turned their followers toward Her divine light.

"Is everything in order? Are our 'knights' in place?" said the man directly across the room.

Isadore bowed his head. "Yes, Overseer Saverio."

"Good. Then our plans proceed accordingly." He steepled his hands and leaned forward before looking to his fellow Overseers. "We're busy enough with our own vile bloods. We do not need those from other worlds troubling us, too. Soon the off-world heretics and their supporters among the Order of the Triad will learn that this Shard belongs only to the Holy Lady and Her divine brilliance."

"May it ever bathe us in light," the Overseers muttered.

Overseer Saverio stood from his place at the table. "Brothers and sisters, soon we enter the final stage of our operation. By this time tomorrow, we will have the Archbishop of Diana in the palms of our hands."

The Overseers began talking among themselves, signaling Isadore that he was no longer needed. But he was summoned back into place with the call of his name from Overseer Saverio.

"You've done exceptionally well as a Hunter for the Solarists, despite your recent distractions. Many vile bloods were brought to their knees by your hand, and many more banished to their dark prison. You will not disappoint us in the coming day."

"Perish the thought, Overseer," Isadore smiled. "Everything I do, I do to further the Holy Lady's cause, and that She may one day bless me with Her enlightenment."

"And perhaps She may find it in Her benevolence to do precisely that, should you impress Her during this operation. She has not forgotten how you failed to bring Her the heads of House Alscher as proof of the annihilation of Solange's wicked bloodline. But nor is she blind to your numerous deeds as one of her Hunters."

Isadore beamed. "I do not allow myself to forget, so never would I imagine that She would. I can only dream that, through my actions, She finds me worthy."

With a final bow, Isadore departed and left the Overseers to their planning. Had Overseer Saverio the faintest idea how greatly Isadore intended to veer from the plan, he might have locked the man away immediately. But in blissful ignorance, he watched with a smirk as the Solarists' greatest Hunter vanished back into the night to return to his place of stay.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Ellie shot upright in bed with a sharp gasp, sweat beaded all over her body. The room was dark, illuminated only by moonlight peering through the generous crack in the curtain as she ran the nightmare over in her head; total darkness, fog circling her feet into an endless horizon, and a terrible, raspy breathing from all around. Looming above her, those horrible, spider-like limbs of a dreadful monster bearing a terrifying grin.

"Ellie?" a voice called sleepily. Lillian struck a match, and in the lamplight she sat in her bed, watching how long it took her sister's breathing to return to normal. "Are you okay? Ellie?"

"I'm fine, Lillian." She laughed flatly. "I think your drawings gave me a bad dream."

"Are they really that bad? I thought they were just silly."

"No, no, they're not. Maybe I'm just stressed."

There was a long silence, then Lillian tucked her knees to her chest. "How's your wound?"

"It doesn't hurt, don't worry." Ellie touched where her nightgown hid the hole in her chest. "In fact, today was the only time that ever happened, and just that once."

Lillian clutched her legs and buried her face in her knees. "Ellie, I'm scared."

"What? You? I didn't think that was possible."

"I'm serious. Nothing's been right ever since that weird man showed up. Mum wouldn't say what he wanted, he watched you at the markets, then again today at the festival. You disappeared for a whole week and had that horrible wound when you came back. It doesn't make any sense." She sighed deeply before turning her head timidly to her sister. "I'm so afraid that something really bad is gonna happen and you're gonna be caught in the middle of it."

Gently, Ellie pushed off her blanket and scooted into Lillian's bed, where she wrapped an arm around her and held her sister close. "Everything's gonna be fine, okay? It's not like you to get scared like this."

"You don't know what you looked like when you came back. I didn't even recognize you. You looked—you looked dead, Ellie."

Ellie's composure began breaking, her body trembling slightly as Lillian's words ran her blood cold. Was that truly how she looked? Her mind could think up a thousand possibilities for what had happened, but dwelling on it further would only make her head spin.

"Don't go to the banquet tomorrow."

"Oh, come now," Ellie jeered. "I'm gonna be fine. Besides, I'll have Professor Emmett with me. You'll see, Lillian; I'm gonna come home tomorrow night with a big smile on my face, and we're gonna sit in the family room with Mum, Dad, and Irwin while I tell you all about the delegates and the perfectly normal banquet."

Lillian merely stared at the blanket and pinched it between her fingers. She jumped slightly when her sister leaned her forehead against hers.

"I will, Lillian. I promise I'll come home tomorrow night."

"Well, you promised, so I'm holding you to it."

"And I know what happens when someone breaks a promise to you, so that's incentive enough," Ellie chuckled, then stood up and gave a pat to Lillian's bed behind her. "Now put out that lamp and go back to sleep."

With a tiny whine, Lillian scooted back and extinguished the lamp while Ellie snuggled back into her own bed. She blew her sister a little kiss in the dark, making Lillian roll her eyes, yet also smile at the normalcy. It was as though she never left, and that's precisely how Ellie wanted it. Never did she want her sister to know that deep down, she was the most terrified of all of the looming dread for the days to come.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

The following day had been nothing but bustle from morning until late afternoon. Bram paced from the kitchen to the base of the stairs and peered up at the second floor. All he could hear were a few distant mumbles and no approaching footsteps, so he sighed and leaned against the newel post.

"You're gonna be late if you don't set out soon. It's already almost half past four."

Vena was the first to emerge and make her way downstairs. "Well, it's not fair that Ellie has to walk all the way to the academy. They should've sent the carriage here."

"If only they cared enough about us outskirt folk," Bram said with a blithe scoff. "Are you going with her? You look ready to set out."

"Yeah, I'll keep her company until her professor arrives, then come right home."

A whine preluded Ellie as she started down the stairs, holding the wide skirt of her dress just high enough not to trip on the hem. It was a ravishing garment, with a floral-like, shimmery pattern and short, slightly puffy sleeves that began just below the shoulders and stopped before the elbows. The v-shaped neck was tactful in how it curved and perfectly hid the unsightly wound above Ellie's breast. Truly a dress elegant enough for nobility, though not quite garnished enough for royalty.

"Well, don't you look marvelous," Bram said, beaming at his daughter.

"Thanks." Ellie made a face and showed him the shoes she'd been holding in one hand. "I have to wear these, though."

Bram grimaced at the high heels, knowing full well Ellie's terribly limited experience with such shoes. "Not on the walk to the academy, I hope?"

"No, she'll wear her normal ones, and that's another reason I'm going with her," Vena added. "We'll swap at the academy and I'll bring them back with me."

"I wish Grandma had more flat shoes that matched." Ellie glanced up to where Irwin and Lillian were watching her from the banister. "Wish me luck. I'm already feeling anxious."

"I'm so envious," Irwin chuckled. "But I hope you have a great time."

"Thank you." Ellie looked at Lillian's frown and grinned until it she received a smile in turn. "I'll be back before you know it."

With a final wave goodbye, Ellie and Vena set out from home and down the road to the academy. A quarter of their journey was nothing more than the grind of dirt beneath their feet, until Vena finally broke the silence with a bop of her shoulder against her daughter's and a giggle.

"This is a rare opportunity for someone from a family like ours. Even your grandma and grandpa might be hard-pressed to get an invitation to a banquet like this." Vena clacked the high heels against her thigh. "I'm so happy for you."

Ellie took a deep breath. "I can scarcely believe I'm going. I don't think I'll truly believe it until we arrive at the banquet hall. And to think, if I hadn't accepted the apprenticeship, well..."

"Will there be other apprentices there?" Vena received only a nod. "That's good. At least you won't be quite so alone. Maybe even some of your classmates might be there."

Though her parents had their suspicions, Ellie had sworn her siblings into secrecy at a young age after happening upon her receiving a verbal browbeating from a few classmates. Because of this, Ellie hoped that none she knew would be attending the banquet. She didn't want her evening ruined by snide comments spoken within intentional earshot.

The pair arrived before long at the vacant academy courtyard, save for Emmett seated on a bench beneath a tree and reading a folded letter. He glanced up, gave them a brief wave, and tucked the letter back into his inner vest pocket.

"Well, guess we won't be waiting, then." Vena set the heels on the ground and shuffled her braid back over her shoulder. "Time to swap."

"Triad's Mercy, I hope I don't embarrass myself in these. At least Grandma and I wear the same sized shoes. Big feet for a little lady." Ellie put a finger over her lips. "Don't ever tell her I said that." She wiggled off one shoe and, while keeping her foot suspended, slid it into one of the high heels. Vena lent her daughter her arm for support when she did the same for the other foot.

With a soft pull, she hugged her daughter and leaned into her neck. "Be careful on your walk home. Oh, I wish I knew what time to come meet you. Maybe I can tell neighbors along the road to keep an eye out for you and offer to walk you home."

"Mum, I'll be fine," Ellie chuckled. "Worst that happens, I come home with dirty feet because I threw off these heels."

She waved goodbye and wobbled toward Emmett, but not before having a couple of stumbles. Suppressing a chuckle, Vena gave her daughter one last look as she crossed the courtyard, fetched her shoes, and started back home.

"I hope I'm not late," Ellie called. "We left home later than we hoped."

"No, in fact, you're right on time. The carriage should be here any moment." Emmett returned the chained pocket watch to its place in his vest. He then gestured to her shoes. "I do apologize that you had to walk here. I asked the inviter if the carriage could go directly to your home, but apparently they don't go beyond the city limits unless you're an important guest. No offense."

"None taken. I'm just excited that I get to see delegates from other Shards. And I won't deny I'm excited to try fancy foods, too."

"If we're lucky, we may even get the chance to speak to a delegate or two before their speech. They're quite well versed in Triadean, I hear."

"Well, I might just die from anxiety if it comes to that. They're way too important and I'd probably stumble over my words like they were my heels."

The conversation was brought to a close with the nearing clack of hooves as the awaited carriage finally arrived. The coachman tipped his hat in welcome to Emmett and Ellie, then retrieved from his satchel a slip of paper and asked for their names. When the names of Professor Evan Emmett and his apprentice, Eleanor Martel, matched those that were written, the coachman hopped down from his seat and opened the carriage door. Inside it was elegantly decorated in deep reds and bright gold, but despite it being her first time, Ellie found herself far more accustomed to the appearance than she anticipated.

With the door clicked shut and the plush interior providing sufficient comfort, the coachman returned to his seat and began the journey back into Phiana, which brimmed with the evening exhilaration of the festival and banquet.