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"No, please!" Phae implored "He is no threat"

"His presence is a threat," the girl answered, looking fearful "The ring he wears--"

"He no longer wears it," Phae replied "He shed it days ago There is too much to say and not much time, sister Can you…can you see my memories? It would help you understand Do not take theive you permission to see them I need your help I don’t kno…to be a Dryad, even though I airl said "I promise that I will not steal your memories if you proratefully The two girls clasped hands and stared into each other’s eyes Phae felt a strange sensation in the pit of her sto that made her dizzy and nauseous The world seerasp on her hands steadied her

It was finished

Phae blinked, feeling as if she had dozed She looked up and saw tears glistening in the other girl’s eyes The girl rested her sliirl whispered to Phae "You are Dryad-born"

Phae shuddered "Can you help o to the Scourgelands, I need this knowledge"

The girl nodded slowly, dropping her hand She suddenly squeezed Phae’s hands with her own "I could help you, but I shouldn’t be the one to do so I was taught of this life by my mother She prepared hters share a special bond These trees are portals We daughters are the guardians of these portals They connect this world to Mirrowen They also connect us to each other Your mother is the Dryad in Kenatos I will trade places with her She will guard uard hers Just for a ht of our ways, it should be done by her"

Phae gasped with astonish with e?"

"I can And I will Stay here" Suddenly the girl’s eyes widened with surprise and a flash of sudden intense e Phae could not Her fingers dug into Phae’s "No," shelivid with eed

The girl shook her head, her expression engulfed in er! I feel it" She started gasping, struggling for breath "He…is…no! No!" The Dryad girl cru her face

"What?" Phae begged, dropping to her knees, clutching the girl tight "What do you see?"

The girlher head Then her eyes blazed "Serpents! The Preachán is dead They are coitation at the Temple of Seithrall in Kenatos The war crisis between Havenrook and Wayland is threatening to spill over across all the lands, Boeotia included There are reports of barbarian incursions into Silvandodoms are not united, it will leave the city practically undefended against the treachery of the invaders Always it is civil unrest and tuation tothe Druidecht of Canton Vaud to settle the dispute that we ainst a common enemy All is in an uproar"

--Possidius Adeodat, Archivist of Kenatos

When Paedrin was a child, he had watched the older Bhikhu fight ast the that the temporary pain of an injury would lead to swifter reflexes after the healing was done He adness to express pain and he strove to est his own peers Paedrin had always been a quick learner and he noticed how Master Shivu gave him special attention, as if they shared soed that Paedrin truly was the best student in the temple The memory touched his heart with sadness, but it did not di Bhikhu crouched on the temple walls of the Shatalin te, he watched the activity in the courtyard below Just before dawn, the interior doors had opened to the training yard and a group of twenty ed, of various races A tall Vaettirexercises to waruage, but not participating himself Paedrin was struck by the i They were riveted at attention and followed the drills with audible claps and grunts, in perfect unison and harmony The tall lanky htly bowed, and snapped orders, which were obeyed pro hair