Prologue: The Sparrow and the Crow

The two had met often over the millennia, usually when it suited her.

Niall spoke first.  “You look old.”

“So do you,” she returned sarcastically.

Niall took her in.  She did look old—very old—and her eyes seemed like clouded glass.  Of course, Niall knew better than to underestimate her.  No one lived almost three thousand years if he or she was not extremely savvy, and she was among the most intelligent creatures he’d known in his own long life.

“It is time,” she said simply.

Knowing what she was referring to and all the implications of her reference, Niall stiffened.  “So soon?” he asked.  “But they are just now settled―just now at peace.”

She scoffed, “It is not I who have decided on this timeline—as you well know.  It is their own actions and choices that have started things moving.”

“Will they survive?  What does your gift tell you?”  Niall heard the desperate twinge in his own voice.

She shook her head.  “There is much against them, and I have seen many possible outcomes, but things must happen as I have instructed if they are to even have a small chance of survival.”  Her voice took on a faraway quality.  “Even then, it is only a small chance.”

The two were silent for a few minutes.

When she spoke again, her voice had a defiant edge, “However, I would place a bet on them and their slight chance, rather than wager on the seemingly stronger forces that will line up—are lining up—against them.”

Niall nodded.  “They are already proving to be,” he paused, “special—unique.”

“Almost unique,” she corrected with a wry smile.

A/N:  Hello.  I’m going to be adding “casting” pictures as I make up or add characters from the books so that you can “visualize” them as I am.  If you want to see a full list, click the cast banner, but beware, seeing all the banners at once could be a spoiler.

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