On the third day her consciousness sensed the Heretics of the Guild for the first time, as their voices roused her from her nether-sleep. Opening her eyes, she commandingly raised one arm to order her shocked servants from the room. After they had gone, she closed her eyes again.

“Serena,”she heard.

“I am here,”she thought, innately understanding that she would not need to speak to make her thoughts known. Then her losses stabbed her heart again, hurting so badly that she could hardly bear it.

“My husband and child are dead,”she told them.

“We know,”the choir of voices answered.“In his twisted eagerness to rule the craft, the Jin’Saikilled them both.”

Serena took a quick breath.“How?” she asked.

“He used the Orb of the Vigors to destroy Wulfgar,”they answered.“The unexpected might of their clash had been underestimated-even by us. It had been aeons since your world witnessed such a titanic struggle of the craft. But the Ones cannot commune with the Jin’Saiagain, for the Forestallment required to do so is lost to his blood.”

“What of my child?”Serena asked.“I still do not understand.”

“When theEnseteratdied, your blood could withstand it; the vulnerable blood of your unborn child could not. But take heart. Wulfgar granted you many Forestallments before he died. You are a fully empowered sorceress, and your blood is strong. Any additional Forestallments required for your purposes can be gleaned from the Vagaries scroll. If you act soon enough, victory can still be ours.”

She smiled for the first time since the death of her family.“What do you wish of me?” she asked.“My life is yours.”

“We know, Daughter,”they responded.“Your mission will be a complicated one, and must be accomplished in steps. Listen as we tell you what to do first.”

As she lay near death, Serena was astounded by what she heard. Nonetheless it all made perfect sense. The task before her would be enormous. But the rewards would be, as well.