Lira sent the call not with words. But with the wind.
She stood on the Cliff. The staff in her hand. The four woods. Ash. Birch. Oak. Willow. Bound by vines. Blooming.
Come, she thought. To the Cliff.
The Earth carried the thought. Through the roots. Through the mycelium. Through the air.
Come, the wind said.
They came.
From the North, the Ice Keeper. Nala's granddaughter. She wore furs. White. Soft. She brought ice from the Pole. In a bowl of clay.
From the South, the Sea Keeper. Lila's daughter. She wore shells. Blue. Shiny. She brought water from the Wet Lands. In a jar of glass.
From the East, the City Keeper. Mara's successor. He wore vines. Green. Strong. He brought soil from the Ruins. In a bag of cloth.
From the West, the Wood Keeper. Kael's son. He wore bark. Brown. Rough
