**BOOK 1 IN THE TALES FROM DROMISSE SERIES**
Silvia considers herself the luckiest woman in all Dromisse. Her soon-to-be fiancé, Duncan Ora, is a candidate for Light Within, the greatest gift that the Almighty Gale can bestow upon someone. Then a ra...
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After Silvia's experience trying to contact Emily by phone, she and Evan plan a trip to Marche City. In the morning, Evan informs Councilor Lein that he will be taking a personal vacation day, and then he stuffs himself in a casual suit. Silvia notices for the first time that his feathers are progressing down his arms, making his sleeves look a little lumpy. When he moves, he sounds like an overstuffed scarecrow.
"I hate this," he says, but a large coat and a bit of magic solves some of his issues. Silvia, currently having no clothes of her own, wears one of his sweaters—just a touch too big—and his slacks—far too long. She looks like a saggy bag, but that's all she's been in the past few days, clad in Morissa's worn, pale nightgown.
With disguises donned, they set off to the train station. And as they ride away, distant storm clouds bubble and churn. Silvia stares at them intently. "Rimis might know what we're trying to do." She points to the grey skies beyond the rushing train window. She slips her fingers through Evan's, entwining their hands together. This could get difficult; but she needs to speak to Emily. Besides, if this is her dream, the Council can't hurt her, right?
Evan incessantly taps a finger against an armrest like a desperate drummer with one drumstick and a lone cymbal. "This ... none of this was prophesied in the Book of Gale," he says. "Then again, maybe it was, and I can't interpret it as well as I thought I could."
"The Book of Gale is a lie, Evan." Silvia sighs. "A lie I created to kill my pain ..."
But did she create all this? Did she really create all of this?
Rain begins to pelt the windows as they get closer to Marche. Arcs of colorless lightning travel in dancing strokes through the sky. But, so far, the storm is just that: a storm. Silvia ponders the end of her dreams yesterday, and the little, scared lizard on the ground. He could have put her through so much more, but then he withdrew. She must have struck something so deep inside of him that perhaps he didn't even know it was there. She's not sure she fully understands what she saw, but she knows one thing: no one can destroy Rimis, and certainly not through hatred. It only makes him stronger.
"Marche Station! Now arriving at Marche Station!"
Three hours later, Silvia and Evan step out into the rain. Luckily for her, Evan brought his umbrella. He pops it open as they depart the dry overhang of the train station. They cling to one another as they approach the Central Church, the grand, white cathedral towering hundreds of feet in the air.
Evan's gait falters as though he's a carriage horse designing a futile rebellion against its master while unseen tethers and whips force him forward. He reaches under his collar and fusses with his invisible feathers. "Are you sure we should just walk in there?" he says. "What if—?" And then his words die as he collapses mid-stride. His umbrella scrapes the top of Silvia's head as he goes down. Thunder shakes her bones, and lightning flashes through the sky a half second after.
