The hallway outside the medical hall was cold and nearly empty, the academy's stampede of evacuation still echoing somewhere far below in the dormitory wings. Sylviana stood alone beneath a guttering wall lamp, her hand closed around her blinking pendant, and its surface glowed with the pale green light of a call across a very long distance.
"Sister. Sister, are you there? Answer me, are you safe?"
"I am here, Aldarion. I am safe."
"Thank the roots. The court is in chaos. The word came through the trade posts an hour ago. The noble faction of the human kingdom has declared open revolt against the crown. A civil war, Silviana. In the capital city of the humans. And the academy you begged to attend sits half a day from that city."
"What... what is the meaning of this? Why? What happened?"
"Does it matter why? Humans burn what they build. It is their oldest custom. What matters is that you come home."
