Prologue: Alone
"Sera! Sera!" Surah shouted to the wind. "Sera! Where are you?" Surah and her twin sister, Sera were trapped, alone in the Spine. They had started out lost together, but suddenly they were alone. "Sera!" Sera! Sera! the mountains echoed back. "Sera! This isn't funny!" This isn't funny! Funny! "Sera! Please! Answer me!" Answer me! Answer me!
"Who is Sera?" a cold voice said out of the darkness. Surah whipped around to the sound of the speaker.
"Who are you? Where are you?" Surah said. The speaker stepped out of the darkness. He had blood-red hair, maroon eyes, and a cold smile. A Shade. Surah stepped back, hand at her dagger.
"Do not be afraid," the Shade said smoothly. "I may be able to help you find this Sera, whoever she is. Take my hand, and I will lead you to her. I know all that goes on in this mountains. I will help you, but for a price."
"What is this price?" Surah said, stepping back another step.
"Join me. You will have power. You will..." The Shade spun a tapestry of wealth, power, land, and respect. Everything Surah ever wanted, she could have. The Shade held out his right hand, which was glowing with red sorcery. Surah stepped forward, and took his hand.
"I will join you."