Elizabeth XXIII

Elizabeth heard the praise as if from a distance but felt Fero’s pride in her, and it warmed her that he felt that way. She didn’t like him to feel that deep sorrow that she couldn’t reach and remove. It was important to her to take care of his every need.

“Her fears drive her. Levon has terrorized her for centuries, and without Fero to shield her, he continues to do so,” Gary explained. “Her very fears summon him. She opens the doors for him. Obviously, nothing from this world can come through and Levon knows it—the safeguards are woven too strong—but not one of us thought to keep anything from the netherworld from creeping in. Elizabeth summoned him with her fears and Levon responded to the summons by sending in the only servant he could get inside. The lewykod, the spirit shadow worm, could only stay so long in this realm, which is why it slipped away the moment she was put back in the ground.”

Complete silence greeted the explanation. The ancients looked at one another. “You are ce