I feel as if some vital part of me is left in the forest as we trudge toward the walls. What am I really leaving, though? My Incarnate or my hope? I know, once I return, that things will never be the same. No longer will the villagers look at me and wonder. Tonight has put an end to all questions. I am not one of them, and I never will be. No amount of hope, no amount of trying, can change the truth of it.

I can hardly meet the eyes of those gathered as we step into the clearing. Elder Paschal, clearly still weak and suffering from his exertions the night prior, stands at the center. As the door swings shut, my fate is sealed.

I cast cowed glances at the crowd, at my companions. Each of them has an Incarnate. Köv is struggling with a wolf pup that appears to be desperately trying to return to the forest. On Agan's shoulder sits a hawk, its golden eyes as piercing as its owner's. A knobble-kneed fawn leans again Mab's own gangly legs. Never one to miss breakfast, Teak and his raccoon are munching on what appears to be dried fruits. I can feel eyes examining me, wondering what I have to offer, and I try to shrink into the fading shadows. This morning, there is no fire, but Elder Pashal's voice booms in spite of his wizened figure.

"My children. You have done well." He places a hand on each contender and their Incarnate, whispering a binding spell in turn. Everyone has their other half, their helper, their destiny. Everyone except me. The Elder reaches me, and I see the same horrible pity in his eyes. I know it is a look that will follow me, interminably, from this day hence.

"Oh, poor Kal." I hate the sound of my nickname now. I hate the false familiarity. I squeeze my eyes tight. The last thing I need is to cry in front of this audience, heaping shame upon shame.

"Look." This time it is Agan, her voice commanding in spite of its hush.

"Oh! What's this?"

I feel a scrambling at the hem of my pant leg, and there, scaling the length, is a lizard. I scoop it into my hands, relief soaring. I hold the tiny being, my scaled savior, up to Elder Paschal for his blessing and hear a distinctly Köv-like snickering. No matter. At this moment, I care for nothing beyond this tiny life in my hands. My Incarnate.

Elder Pashal repeats his spell and is helped back to his hut by a strong pair of cousins. Their wolves form a triumvirate, leading the way back to town. A cheer rises to greet the dawn, and we are done. The Eve is finished.