"A moment," Joric called as they reached the outskirts of the village. Only the open road remained before them-and beyond that, the towering stone pillars of the bridge. "Ride down to the shore with me."

Sabine obeyed, gently tightening the left rein to guide her horse off the road and down a small worn footpath leading to the shore. The sun's morning rays were already sparkling off the surface of the lake, but behind them to the west, a few faint stars were still visible against the skyline. She stifled a yawn, still blinking the last of the sleep from her weeks of sleeping on the hard ground and rickety cots in wayside inns were taking their toll, and she was looking forward to a real bed tonight.

Ahead of her, Joric had stopped along the shoreline, and she rode up to halt beside him. He gazed out over the water, the glow of the sun on his hair and beard making his face appeared to be wreathed in fire. "Take a look," he said sweeping his hand outward. Across the water, the city rose up out of the island, dark in its own shadow with the tower ascending a dizzying height to pierce the sky. "There is only one chance to see it for the first time," Joric said, his brow wrinkled in a thoughtful expression. "And sadly, I hardly remember mine. I had a small command at the time, my very first. A great honor, but still, a distraction."

He sighed, eyes refocusing as he turned back to her. "You must be careful, Sabine," he said seriously. "It is very different on the inside. The Elder Council is a pit of vipers, and the rest of the city is no better."

Sabine felt a quick flutter of nerves deep in her stomach, despite her earlier excitement. This was her dream, she reminded herself. She'd wanted this ever since she was a little girl. As if sensing her apprehension, Joric's gaze softened.

"Things will change once you are part of the Watch," he reminded gently. "We are Legion first. We will have our separate duties, and you will report to your commander."

"I know," she whispered. She nervously threaded her fingers through her mount's mane.

"But I am still your father," Joric added. "You can always come to me. No matter is too insignificant."

Sabine merely nodded, gazing out across the water at the city. She'd prepared for this since childhood, mind and body, and now it was finally time. But what if I can't do it?

"Sabine?" Her father's voice cut through the whisper of fear, and when she turned back to him, an expression of concern had etched itself onto his face. "How are you feeling?"

Like I'm going to throw up. But instead, she took a deep breath and forced a bright smile to her face. "I'm ready," she said, feigning a confidence she in no way felt, and if Joric picked up on it, he gave no indication of such.

"Good," he said briskly. "I am proud of you. Do you know that? And not simply because you are my daughter. You are wise and strong, and I have no doubt you will do great things."

His words did little to calm the nerves boiling in the pit of her stomach, but she appreciated them nonetheless. "Thank you, Father," she said, forcing her shoulders back. "I will try."

"And you will succeed." Joric nodded approvingly. "Shall we head for the city?"

The higher the sun rose, the darker the city's shadow appeared. "Let's go," she said, reining her horse in the direction of the path. Her entire life had led to this moment-and she'd come too far to turn back now.