6
The Unexpected Passenger
Amlinn’s breath froze in her lungs as the flare of Blue Fire struck down the Priest-Apprentice and brushed over her. Roaring filled her ears. A black tunnel swallowed her vision, and then her consciousness fell away completely.
Awareness flickered back. Someone was lifting her, cutting her arms free. She tried to speak, to move, but could do neither. Her head lolled to one side. She glimpsed boots and the edge of a swirling cloak. Then she blacked out again.
The next time she opened her eyes, she found herself looking at a little rag doll, wearing a patchwork dress of red and blue and green. A stitched red mouth and two black button eyes smiled blankly from beneath yellow-yarn hair. “Morning, Sisspeth,” Amlinn said sleepily. She reached for the little doll, t
