The morning air was cool when I woke. Mist still hugged the ground in the hidden valley, curling around stones like sleepy cats. Orrin was already waiting near the tall evergreen, his gray robes moving lightly in the breeze. I rubbed my eyes and stood, feeling stiff but ready. Today, he said, my true training would begin.
Orrin raised one hand in greeting. "Come, Luciana. The First Way waits."
I walked to him and saw a small circle of smooth stones laid out on the moss. Each stone was etched with a mark—half moons, full moons, and a single star. In the center lay a hollow bowl made from silver metal. Water filled the bowl, and its surface reflected the sky even though most of the sky was hidden by trees.
"What is the First Way?" I asked.
