As soon as they returned to Havenfield, Mr. Forkle summoned the Collective. "What about the Council?" Sophie asked.
"The Council's matters are not completely linked to the Collective's, Miss Foster." replied Mr. Forkle.
Sophie had a sudden thought. "What was on that paper that you asked Toggle about?" Mr. Forkle lowered his gaze to her.
"The Neverknown… were offering to take a member of the Black Swan into a hideout for training, to learn about them. To show that they
could be trusted. The terms were that they would send a member here, and a member would be sent there. Neither would be searched by a
Telepath. Of course, you remember that Toggle said that it was optional."
Sophie raised her eyebrows. "That actually sounds like a pretty good idea." "Miss Foster-" Mr. Forkle cut in.
"No, they would be allowed to make a choice. But who would be given the option?" she mused. "Miss Foster," Mr. Forkle repeated.
"This must be done with the Black Swan's permission, and it's permission is not given. This assignment is highly dangerous."
Sophie nodded. "Of course. That's why we ask Rilynn."
"Rilynn is the child of Quinlin's brother," Sophie explained as she and the Collective strode towards the clifftop.
"She's a daredevil thrillride person. Anyway, she came over once and almost immediately tamed the gorgodon. They've been flying together
ever since. Grady is allowing her to live on the clifftop, because Rilynn says that's the only place the gorgodon likes."
By now they had reached the rocky overhang. Sophie knocked on a thick wooden door in the entrance of a cave. The door opened.
In front of them stood a sixteen-year-old girl. She was wearing a sleeveless leather jacket and simple gray pants. Her brown hair was pulled
into a messy braid, and she had a black armband made of cloth. Rilynn's stormy gray-blue eyes met Sophie's. Then Mr. Forkle. Then Granite.
Then Wraith. "What is this?" she asked. "It's okay, Rilynn." promised Sophie. "We just want to make you an offer."
"Wait." said Mr. Forkle. "Wraith, Granite, would you explain the situation to Miss Sonden? Thank you." Mr. Forkle pulled Sophie aside.
Sophie, he transmitted. I am about to do something unprecedented. But today has shown me that this world has too many secrets. I intend to
change that. So, I will tell you the identities of one of the Collective. Surprised, Sophie formed her mouth to say Wraith.
But at the last moment… Who's Blur? she blurted. Mr. Forkle paused. Blur is… Fernan Babblos.
"Fine," said Rilynn. "When do we start?"
"Now," said Mr. Forkle. "We can't afford to lose time."
"Kay," said Rilynn. "Lemme get my stuff." She emerged out of her cave with a brown satchel which she proceeded to sling around her.
"What's in there?" asked Wraith, immensely interested. "Well, I've got my knives, of course, and my-"
"Here." Mr. Forkle dropped the yellow jewel into her hand. "Wraith will be chaperoning you," he informed them. "I have work to do."
That said, Rilynn held the jewel up to the light, and she, and Wraith disappeared.
Rilynn, Sophie transmitted. Rilynn, Rilynn. RILYNN. Sophie heard a small voice. No need to shout. That was Rilynn. How is it?
Sophie asked. We are... In a mountain. And… there are a lot of code names here. This is actually like school. Other new recruits are here, and
we're all learning together. The only individual classes are for ability. Everything else is skills. You know, this is actually interesting.
At Candida it's all 'the elves are the best blahblahblah.' Sophie paused. Wait… you don't go to Foxfire? I thought there were only two schools.
No, said Rilynn. Not everyone is as privileged as you. Sorry, said Sophie. I just thought everyone went there.
Rilynn began to speak again. Well, I haven't actually been at school a whole week, but… I was still exhausted.
Anyway, a guy named Toggle leads most of the classes. I'm pretty sure he's a Polyglot. A gal named Sap oversees meals.
Uhhh… and there's two other obscure people. Their names are Wisp and Dime. Sorry, gotta go. Okay, said Sophie. Bye.