Chapter 25

The Shard of the Empress physically manifests before me for the first time and makes requests, not demands. Tira, Magdalena, and I lay the witches to sleep amongst the Celestial trees and entrust them to Renelli's care until they wake. Then I bid tearful farewells to both Magdalena and my elvish family, shadow-stepping away so quickly I lose myself in my flight. When I recover myself the Empress is by my side again and I help her take the form of an elf, Kaide, to travel with me. As fellow students we bond and share stories of our past, of Magdalena, and our studies. I receive word from Amytri that the Desolation has transformed into a shining unfreezing sea and I promise to send him my apprentices to help him study. On our way to the Northern Grove we encounter a grief-stricken widower and persuade him that it's time to go home. Amongst the stories we tell is one of Kaide's memories of a dwarven friend for whom she made a golden crown to ease the burden of leadership. In its construction I can see the beginnings of whatever the Empress did to the Ventarri.