Elena's cold was steady and oppressive, like a lake frozen over in winter. Elonore's was the lightest, like a spring breeze passing through the woods.
Three people, three different fifth tiers.
Su Li set down his bowl of soup and was about to head for the kitchen when a knock sounded from beyond the courtyard gate.
Three knocks, evenly spaced, restrained in force.
Saina poked her head out from the kitchen, still holding a spatula. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Talia." There was a trace of unnatural tension in the voice outside. "May I... come in?"
Saina glanced at Su Li.
Su Li nodded.
Saina walked over and pulled open the gate.
She stood in the doorway, her apron stained with grease, spatula still raised in one hand. The aura of a fifth tier naturally spilled from her body, rich and heady as an overturned jar of wine.
Talia stood outside in immaculate workshop robes, clutching a thick leather-bound record book.
She stared at Saina.
From her face to her feet, then from her feet back to her face.
Her mouth opened, then closed again.
The elven chief Magic Forger who had lived for more than three hundred years wore the expression of a student who had spent three earnest days writing a thesis, only to open the exam paper and find that every question had been changed.
Saina waved the spatula. "Come in and eat. The ribs are almost done."
Talia nodded mechanically and stepped over the threshold.
Su Li was already seated beside the stone table. "Perfect timing. Help me make a record of the breakthrough."
As if she had found an anchor, Talia hurried to the table, opened her record book, pulled out a pen, and took a deep breath.
"Start from the beginning. The signs before