As the weather warms, young Mistress Jana Trence burns with the need of adventure. The general's headstrong daughter, she knows it's dangerous beyond the walls of her hometown, but a picnic in the green meadow sounds safe enough. She manages to talk her servant and best friend, Merlie, into coming along for a quick lunch. Once beyond the walls of Ouest, Jana grows daring and races into the woods, Merlie at her heels. But the woods are full of strong magic neither girl can fight against. When Merlie is injured, Jana knows her father will learn of their little excursion, and she fears his punishment. But she fears losing Merlie more. Can the Emperor's physician treat the servant's wounds? Or will it take something stronger to heal Merlie?

The Scar

Varlian shrugged his shoulders, exhaustion aging his face and stooping his back. “I can’t say for certain,” he replied. “These next few hours are crucial. If she’s still alive when the sun sets, she will live.” 


“I am too tired to think right now,” Varlian said with a shook his head. “Let’s just say we need to be prepared.” 


Shuffling footsteps down the hall alerted them to Jana’s presence. The general straightened his back, steeling himself to deal with her in such a fragile state. For all her military training, she was still a child—he had to remember that.


The look Varlian shot his way held in it everything the general feared he might say. “We all need to be prepared.” 


Trence nodded. When Jana came closer, he motioned for her to join him. Varlian nodded to her, then slipped away. Jana barely seemed to notice. “How is she?” she asked, reaching to open Merlie’s door.


Chapter 5