Tavin stared at Aleanna’s hand, easily within his reach. The glow from the enormous ring of fire seemed to consume everything as it towered above them, floating only a few feet behind her. He looked up and met her eyes; though hard to see against the backdrop of flame, they looked hard but there was also a strange welcomeness in them.

“Take my hand,” Aleanna said. It was a command. “Don’t be a slave to the Empire, let us train you instead.”

“I want to go with you, I ...