It was a dream that night that did it. Flashes of colors came toward her—birds flying, trees that waved. She walked to a tree and put her hand on it. This time she could feel the life song coming from it the way her sister could. A voice spoke to her, and it danced, this voice, and waved, danced and waved, and danced and waved and looked a little like the mud demons. She smiled at the dance, and the voice said, “Aria, I know what can heal you. I have it for you. Come to me. I will help you.”
She woke up breathing hard. The sun hadn’t yet risen, but the first birds were singing. She knew she needed to leave immediately, before anyone else was up. She needed to go to the voice. Her father, in the Desert City.
She got up quietly and packed the bag that always came with her. She stole into t
