He put his arm around her shoulder and expanded his other arm toward the surf. The edge of the beach was glassy smooth, the frothing waters rushing back down at an incline into the waves until the next round came crashing again. The force of the waves was powerful, yet not frightening. She wondered if the water was cold.

“It can be,” he said, answering her thoughts, startling her again.

The Seneschal extended his hand to Phae. She glanced at her mother, who smiled.

His hand was warm and strong. They started walking toward the grassy hill on one side of the beach, an area carved with steps and paths. There were many people about, each walking along, and she wondered how many people lived in Mirrowen.

“Many,” he replied, squeezing her hand. “Some visit from other worlds.”

“How do they come here?” Phae asked, wondering. “I’m not sure I understand what you meant about this idea of being on a world.”

“Not yet. You will begin to understand such things later. When someone visits from another world, they come from the sea. Not in a boat, as you’d expect. What happens is a great wind blows and the waters along the beach part, opening up a pathway into the ocean. It’s an impressive sight, Phae. When the waves part, everyone gathers on the beach to greet the newcomer and learn about their travels. So many places to visit. I never tire of meeting them.”

Phae looked up at his face. “Do you ever leave?” she asked, but she thought she knew the answer. “No, you can’t . . . can you? You have the Voided Keys. They must . . . stay.”

He smiled and nodded to her. “Your wisdom is quickening already, Phae. Trust those insights. Mirrowen teaches you about herself all the time. She whispers to you.”

Phae nodded, feeling thoughtful. “Why does she whisper? Is Mirrowen a person? No, that doesn’t feel quite right.”

“Why should one scream when a whisper will do?” the Seneschal asked her, answering her first question. “The Decay is about noise. It’s about distraction. Notice the sound when the waves recede off the beach. It’s a shushing sound . . . like a whisper. All the rumbling fury of the surf, but contrast it to the sound when it strikes the shore of Mirrowen. Now, let me show you something on the hilltop. We could take the path, but you are with me, and so you will travel as I do. Hold tightly.”

He inhaled and suddenly he was floating upward, Phae with him, her body suddenly weightless. As they rose into the air, like the Vaettir, she was thrilled beyond belief, experiencing a gentle tickle in the middle of her stomach as they began to soar up toward the hilltop. She watched the sandy beach disappear beneath her feet and then watched the flowing grass streak beneath her. She coughed in surprise and then started to laugh, unable to contain the delight. She thought of Paedrin and felt a surge of jealousy for his gift. A soothing wind tousled her hair and clothes. They ascended rapidly and then gently eased down on the crest of the hilltop as the Seneschal breathed out. His eyes twinkled with mirth at her reaction.

“That was amazing,” Phae said, turning around and looking from the view atop the hill. The expanse of the ocean went on as far as she could see. Leagues of blue-gray water extended all across the horizon, forming a flat line that met the sky. Suddenly the clouds were roiling, going from white to black. The waves began to churn restlessly, drawing back from the shore as they mounted and rumbled.

“The children are safe?” Phae asked, worried about them playing down at the shore. She could see them kneeling in the sand, digging into the moat, heedless of the waters rushing at them.

The Seneschal patted her hand. “The bounds are set. The waters cannot pass. Despite their fury, despite their power, they will yield to the will imposed against them. Watch the stones in the water. Did you feel them last time? Those rocks in the waters have sigils carved into them. Faces. They will repel the waters.”

Phae shuddered as she watched the furious waves reach the guardians of stone. She could feel power coming from those stones and they broke the charge again, as she had witnessed before. The children still played, oblivious.

“I am the Seneschal of Mirrowen,” he said, turning to face her. “My duty is to protect the mortal world from destruction. If Mirrowen did not exist, the waves you saw would come crashing into your world. We keep them at bay. I mentioned there is a force that makes things decay. There is another force at work too, Phae. One even more powerful. It is called by many names too. But its essence organizes and brings order to chaos. If those children stopped working, the castle they built would succumb to the Deep. If they halted their efforts, it would wash away in no time at all. Remember the derelict homestead you found in Stonehollow? Where you both were attacked by the spirit creature?”