She looked around. She was indeed inside a room, one with stone walls, and there were three others with her. Two wore the dark robes of mages, and the other was dressed in military garb. A sudden burst of modesty overcame Raven, and she grabbed up the blanket from the ground and covered herself.

"I imagine by now your new host has introduced herself," said one of the robed wizards. "You will get to know Vadya very well. I have only this to say about her. She is a loyal subject of the empire, and she didn't hesitate when called upon for this duty."

"Lord Matokin!" Raven said, finally recognizing the man. He was short and heavy, with lively eyes and hair as dark as hers was supposed to be.

"Yes. And you are Raven."

"Am I?" She felt profound doubt about that. Again she had to wonder if she hadn't gone insane.

"Yes, you are. But you now live inside the body of another, the aforementioned Vadya."

"But that's... impossible."

"It's not," said the second mage. This one looked drained, wiping sweat from his forehead, his face colorless. "Lord Matokin, if I may go...?"

"By all means, Mage Kumbat," Matokin smiled. "You have our thanks for a staunch effort."

The one named Kumbat exited the room. The figure in the military uniform stepped forward. This, of course, was General Weisel himself. What a mighty pair they made, Raven thought with some amazement. The ruler of the Felk Empire and the commander of its army, both standing side by side at the foot of her bed, both apparently here to see her. It was a fantastic honor.

Yes, I'm honored as well.

The voice leapt unbidden into Raven's thoughts. It was not quite an intrusion, at least not an aggressive one, but Raven found herself unsettled by it. If she was indeed sharing this body with its original owner, how exactly were they supposed to share the mental space of one mind? Would their thoughts and memories and personalities somehow meld together?