"Wake up, Apprentice Surana," a voice whispered harshly, shaking Temene's shoulder roughly.
She had been in a deep sleep and the sudden awakening left her groggy and confused. The girls' dormitory was dark and she could barely make out the templar standing before her bed. The silhouette was one of unmistakable anxiety for most mages.
"What's happening?" Temene croaked, her voice catching in her chest. She heard the bunkmate above her stirring, but she said nothing.
"Get dressed and step out into the hallway," the templar snapped and walked towards the slightly ajar door, the only source of light slipping into the room.
Temene sat up and pulled away the bed covers. It was cold in the dorms, so she quickly took a robe out of her dresser and slipped it over her night shift. Her head was still cloudy and she fumbled with the fastenings, worried that the templar would think she was taking too long. A few apprentices that had woken up whispered as she dressed. The young women all knew where she was headed and some of them even whispered words of encouragement as Temene stumbled towards the doorway. Their words did little to reassure her.
When she stepped out of the dorm, she was greeted by the bright light of a torch, held aloft by the same templar who'd awoken her. Temene held up a hand to shield her eyes from the light. Before she could even ask a question, the templar barked "Follow me," and immediately took off down the hall. Temene struggled to follow the woman, as she had mistakenly slipped her boots on the wrong feet.
Temene had been expecting her Harrowing for weeks, but it was always a mystery when it would occur. You never knew when someone would be taken in the middle of the night and sometimes never return. Temene tried not to think about that possibility and just concentrated on walking. The halls of the tower were all but deserted, passing only a few templars on patrol before they reached the stairs to the Harrowing Chamber at the very top of the tower. Temene stopped to try and fix her boots.
"What are you waiting for?" the templar asked, looking back at Temene.
"Sorry, I just wanted to fix these before," Temene blushed and hurried to change her boots to the right feet. She felt foolish and hoped to fair better at her Harrowing than she did at dressing. She climbed up the small staircase and entered the chamber, a group of templars and First Enchanter Irving waiting for her.