Contents
Chapter One
Overview
Sylvia, a Jasadi fugitive hiding in Mahair, balances survival and secrecy. She completes grim apprentice tasks, illegally treats a patient, and narrowly avoids Nizahl scrutiny. A birthday gift from Rory and sweets from friends Sefa and Marek underscore fragile safety. Sylvia’s sealed magic, hatred of Nizahl, and a planned return to Essam Woods raise looming stakes.
Summary
Late at night by the Hirun River, Sylvia gathers frogs for her master Rory, reflecting on her mother’s past and the Nizahl raven marks that cage Mahair. She resists the urge to deface the symbols, choosing caution over defiance, and returns to Rory’s shop with her catch.
Rory inspects her haul and, despite gruffness, gifts her fine golden gloves for her birthday. Sylvia, who lives under the alias “Sylvia,” treasures the gesture but hides the gloves, mindful that anything nonessential may one day need to be sold.
Before resting, Sylvia secretly visits Zeinab to subdue Zeinab’s combative mother, Aya, with a harmless tonic sold under Rory’s name. Paid discreetly, Sylvia leaves and is stopped by a lone Nizahl soldier, who questions her identity and asks about Jasadi activity; she offers a convincing story and is released.
Back at Raya’s keep, friends Sefa and Marek have commandeered her hearth and banter about village troubles and the looming waleema. They surprise Sylvia with sesame-seed sweets hidden by her struggling fig plant, briefly lifting her spirits.
Alone, Sylvia confronts her reality: invisible silver cuffs bind her Jasadi magic, a legacy of her grandparents; she escaped Essam Woods five years ago and was taken in by Rory and Raya. Talk of the Nizahl Heir, Arin, rekindles her hatred and caution. As her friends settle, Sylvia quietly prepares to return to Essam Woods for an undisclosed errand.
Who Appears
- Sylvia (alias)Narrator; Jasadi fugitive with sealed magic, Rory’s apprentice; treats a patient secretly, evades a Nizahl patrol, receives birthday gifts.
- RoryGruff village chemist; shelters Sylvia and gifts her golden gloves; relies on her for menial collection work.
- SefaSylvia’s close friend and seamstress apprentice; witty, supportive; gifts sesame candies and shares banter.
- MarekSylvia’s close friend; farmer’s apprentice; playful, protective; joins Sefa in gifting candies and teasing.
- ZeinabVillager who hires Sylvia discreetly; pays for tonic to calm her mother’s outbursts.
- AyaZeinab’s elderly mother; agitated and self-injuring until subdued by Sylvia’s tonic.
- Nizahl soldierOlder patrolman who questions Sylvia at night about her identity and Jasadi sightings before letting her go.