No one has seen the enigmatic Orobai in a year. In his absence, Miraanni, the "Mysterious Child," has fallen ill, lost in a catatonic state, but not before inspiring a fervent religious movement in Laftandiar-Urya, where she has been named "The Mother of the Perfect Creation" by the populace in the revived religion of the Tal. Ashi has excelled in her lessons as a student at Hyanchalth-Murira, but when a mysterious woman gives her an ancient...