For several minutes, the trio of Ashlynn, Heila and Ollie sat in silence as Ashlynn's question hung in the cool mountain air between them. Pine needles rustled overhead as another gust swept down from the peaks, and Heila's magical lights cast shifting shadows across their faces as the floating motes of light danced on the wind like fallen autumn leaves.
Once or twice, Heila looked like she wanted to speak, to explain more to her soon-to-be little brother. She wanted to tell him that his trial wouldn't be that bad, and that if someone as common and unworthy as her could pass the trial, she was certain that he could.
