“Silence is a dreadful thing. It rarely means peace or calm; it just means the enemy needs a minute to reload and regroup.” - Diana, Capitana of the self-named Diana’s Rangers, one of many famed compangia of the Cradlelands.

  The next few days proved dull, but that was a most welcome reprieve for Leo. He kept to his orders and stayed by Avella’s side. Etheros lay unmoving in one of the beds. He looked dead, but Avella assured him he wasn’t. She stayed in the apothecary, never leaving the wizard’s side. Julia was kind enough to give both of them beds. Leo was grateful for the service. Especially since every time he had to leave, he had to put up with Elizabeth glaring at him. She gave him no trouble, but her cold gaze was a painfully unwelcome stressor. There was nothing he could do; Angela had ordered her to stand guard.

  Other people came and went. Annabelle was a constant presence, examining Etheros in tandem with Julia. Salvatore stopped by every so often, asking for updates, and Leo and Avella would give him their side of what happened in Raveno. Each time, he appeared more somber and less cheerful. It was unnerving to see him that way, and it made Leo’s nerves even more frazzled. Curio dropped in at one point, Annabelle treating his lingering throat wound. Eventually, the scarred tissue healed, but his voice still didn’t sound the same.

  Another unforeseen benefit of staying in the apothecary for so long is that Leo could get immediate treatment for his injuries. The stabbing pain in his chest from his duel with the warlord and the soreness in his arms was particularly dreadful. Julia hovered around him, so Leo almost felt like a patient himself.

  The most frightening thing was the silence. The world seemed quieter, but not peaceful. It felt like the calm before the storm or being in the eye of a great tempest. The images from the previous days lingered in Leo’s mind-eye. It wasn’t the undead or the Maelim that stuck with him. It was the shadowy figures in Ravensend, the rogue Godshard hovering over the flames like an evil specter, and the warlord’s taunting words about having “friends.”

  It was a glimpse into a wider world of evil. Leo felt like they had only scratched the surface of this iceberg of trouble. He felt so pitifully small in the face of it. Perhaps that’s why it felt like the calm before the storm more than genuine peace. Leo was no Godshard. He couldn’t see things the way Avella could. But even he knew there was no way this was over. He glanced her way. Despite her aloof facade, he could see the flickers of concern. Maybe he knew what to look for now, or more likely, she had come to the same conclusion.

  Leo glanced at the prone wizard and asked, “Are you sure he’s okay?”

  “Trust me,” Avella said, nodding. “Etheros may be old, but he’s made of stern stuff.” Her glowing eyes twinkled, and a faint smirk spread across her face. “He’s an old friend; we go way back—before I left my family estate to come to the sacerdozio.”

  Leo tilted his head and said, “I thought Godshards were given up to sacerdozio very young, days after they become a Shard?”

  Avella shook her head. “The sacerdozio’s reach is not global. There are Godshards that recognize Adam, but not David and Solomon. They venerated Evelin, the Adamite, who disagreed with their beliefs, such as the Twin Path. They venerate other Adamites instead. Many distant lands follow their guidance instead of ours, including Yanneros. In the name of peace, we respect their wishes.” She gestured to herself and continued, “I’m from the Triad, a land where three cultures meet. It is where Godshards of both disciplines reside, vying for influence among the local city-states and power bases.”

  “Fascinating,” Leo said, leaning in. “I didn’t know Adamites were still around?”

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  Avella shrugged. “Of course they are. I was a late bloomer; a Shard didn’t choose me until I was seven. It was quite the spectacle. My mother, the Duchess of Avalon, sought out the closest Godshard she could find.” She gestured at Etheros. “He wanted to make me an apprentice, to become an Adamite like him. But there were other Godshards too, sacerdozio Godshards, all vying for my favor. It took me a year to make up my mind.”

  Leo frowned. “That’s a lot of pressure to force upon a child!”

  Avella waved dismissively. “We Avalons are long accustomed to it. Either way, I had expectations. If I hadn’t become a Godshard, I would have become the next duchess or been married to another noble and retained a title with him.”

  “Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you never became a Shard?”

  Avella’s eyes flickered. “Sometimes. Perhaps my sister would have been the Shard and I the duchess. Of course, I would be dead now if that were the case, and the estate would be abandoned all the same.”

  “You’re all that’s left?”

  “My sister died several years ago.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Avella shook her head and said, “Don’t be; she lived a long, happy life and died at eighty-four. We hadn’t even seen each other in decades.”

  “She was much older than you, huh?”

  Avella tilted her head and said, “Only four years.” Leo paused, and he looked her over. She didn’t look that old, not a day over forty! Avella rolled her eyes. “I’m eighty years old, Leo. We age slower. Didn’t you pay attention to the story the other night?”

  “Right,” stuttered Leo.

  Avella grew distant. “We all make our choices Leo. I made mine; I believe in David and Solomon, but my family did not. My mother pretended to be respectful, but my father was outraged. He didn’t understand how I could choose the Twin Path.”

  Leo huffed. “From my experience, parents rarely care what their children want. Martin’s parents judged my brother and me for the longest time. My own father left us when I was two.”

  Avella’s face softened. “I’m so sorry.”

  Leo shrugged. “Don’t be; Padre Angelos was more of a father to me.”

  “We Godshards tend to be more astute to the needs of our people. Salvatore is a remarkable man, and Shard, the paragon of what it means to be a sacerdote.” Avella’s eyes glimmered . “I chose the sacerdozio because it is a well-oiled machine; all Godshards go where they want to go and do what they naturally want to do. We address threats with speed and precision; problems don’t get to fester, and evils don’t go unchallenged. The right person is sent to deal with the problem.”

  “Is that why they sent you to help us at Venito?”

  “Precisely,” Avella said, nodding. “The Adamites wouldn’t have been efficient. If one was in the area, they might be able to help, but if they were just a Shardling, they wouldn’t be much better than you. The Adamites are not an organization; they’re solitary wanderers and are often unaware of problems unless they happen to be in town. They are slow and indecisive; some are incapable of dealing with problems due to insufficient power or skill. Etheros and I just couldn’t see eye to eye. We’ve kept in touch, although we’re both too busy most of the time. Etheros is a good man, and he respected my wishes even though I could tell he was disappointed. I had to follow my heart through the sacerdozio; I wanted to make the world a better place.”

  Leo nodded. “They definitely sent the right Shard this time, for what it’s worth.”

  Avella gave him a warm smile. Soft moaning coming from the bed brought them back to the moment. Etheros, at last, was beginning to stir. Leo was quickly on his feet.

  Avella also stood and gestured to Annabelle. “Get Salvatore!”

  “Don’t bother, I’m here,” said Salvatore as he strode into the room, his white robes trailing behind him. Julia was at his side.

  “Your timing is impeccable,” said Leo.

  Everybody gathered by the bed as the wizard’s eyes opened. They held a natural blue glow; the only time Leo saw a Shard’s eyes that bright was in the visions of Adam. The man shakily sat up and looked around the room. He gazed upon Annabelle, a soft, tired smile on his face.

  “Thank you, child,” he said to her, and then he looked up at Avella and added, “You as well. It’s been a long time, Avella.”

  Avella bowed. “Indeed, Wizard Etheros.”

  “I assume by your presence that I made it to . . .” Etheros trailed off as he looked at Salvatore. “This is not the Island City, is it?” Everyone shook their heads. He groaned, straining to get to his feet.

  Julia laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’re still weakened. You need to rest.”

  “You don’t understand. I cannot stay here! I need to get to the Island City before it’s too late. I am putting you all in great danger! A daemon is hunting me, and he has my scent!”