Emily walked along one of the three large bridges that overlooked the city proper. It stood at least three hundred feet high, with enormous arched columns spaced regularly along it length. She looked off to either side, gazing at the city. Because of her confinement in the academy, she'd had no contact with the city below and had to take her friends' word about what it had been like. But now, for the first time since she'd arrived, every single window was brightly lit with the lights that hadn't been used in she didn't know how long. There were no parades, no shouts of joy or euphoric parties, but she knew the people of Cielis were celebrating their newfound liberty.
At the end of the bridge, she saw the old man who'd introduced himself as Vigo standing alone, staring off into the night. He didn't seem to be looking at anything; he just stood there, silent as the city itself. Then he let loose a portion of his stone's magic that rose steadily and took the form of a phoenix the higher it went. "What are you doing?" she asked.
Vigo turned to face her. "Offering a tribute for the fallen Stonekeepers," he answered.
"May I join you?"
"Of course."
Emily stepped up and stood next to him. "Are we the last ones?"
"Stonekeepers, you mean?" Vigo sounded sad. "There are very few of us left, to be sure."
"If Max is working with the Elf King," Emily said, "he can grant the elves access to the Motherstone. They'll be able to create a new Council under their control. But we're the last ones on our side." When she didn't get an immediate answer to her comment, she turned to look at Vigo and continued, "We are the last Guardian Council. Aren't we?"
Vigo sighed heavily. "Back at the academy, you encountered the likenesses of several young Stonekeepers. Among them were students of mine, from many years. Ronin was my best student, and the youngest Stonekeeper ever to be offered a place on the Council. But she chose not to join the Council, claiming that the responsibility was too great for someone her age. Ronin would have joined a Council with several other powerful Stonekeepers, but you'll be joined by an old man far past his prime and we'll be up against a very powerful enemy. Are you sure you're ready for this kind of responsibility?"
"The difference between her and me is that she had a choice," Emily said. "I may not be as clever as Max, or as skilled as Ronin, but don't ask me if I'm ready. Because no matter how I feel about it, I'll have to be."
Vigo looked at her with respect for her willingness to accept what had been thrust upon her. To prove her ability, she released a part of her stone's magic equal in size and from to his.
Their tributes rose into the night, twin phoenixes of red and blue twisting around each other.
Continued in Book 5: Prince of the Elves