AYLA MARIN

The guards, including Lian, are guardians who keep me imprisoned. If I fall, if I slip, I die. And others will die because of my failure. As they escort me to the feast, I go over what Thomas has tucked into my head. It's simple, easy to remember, but it still makes me shudder. I was born on the battlefront. This is me, but now I'm trapped and powerless to escape. I feel nauseous just thinking about it. The sentries lead me through a maze of passages in the upper floors of the palace. Like the Garden, the architecture is all marble stone curves, which little by little incline it downwards. Crystals are everywhere, revealing a breathtaking view: the market, the valley and the forests beyond. From this height, I can see the mountains I didn't know rise in the distance and cut the sun with their shadow.

____________ The last two floors are the royal chambers - Lian explains, pointing to a steep spiral corridor. The sun shines brightly and splashes light on us. _____________ The elevator