It all begins with anavilda, mother of the newborn Teadorica. slight of build, intelligent, and intuitive. There was an edge to her that had always caught the attention of others, though she had never sought it. Her insights helped guide those who were less perceptive, and the structure of the community had afforded her the time to deliberate. Now, that same tendency felt like a weakness. Without the safety of a fortress and the protection of men, survival demanded decisiveness, not reflection. She knew she would have to adapt, though the thought terrified her.