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PROLOGUE Current Age 9th Age of Reclamation Aboard Covenant Battlecruiser Silent Exultation In Transit through the Void   'By the will of the Prophets, it shall be done…'   The female Sangheili sat in silent meditation in her quarters as her ship traversed through the Void. She was anxious, but she forced her hearts to slow their rapid beating. She needed a level head if she was to accomplish her task.   Suddenly, there came a light rapping on the door to her quarters, causing the female to jump. Her hearts began to beat at a furious pace once again. Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her energy sword. Then, a familiar voice

CHAPTER 1   23rd Age of Doubt Vadam Keep State of Vadam Sanghelios   'Again… Again… AGAIN!   Lilumna ‘Vadam struck her training target over and over. A satisfying crack resonated down the alleyway with each hit.   Lilumna had chosen this place because it was one of the few areas where she could train out of the watchful eyes of her uncle. She trained in solitude to avoid scolding, even though she was often scolded anyway.   Female Sangheili weren’t supposed to be warriors. Granted, they were taught to fight, just like the males, but that was only so they could defend the keeps while the males were at war. Females

CHAPTER 4   “I find your choice of students interesting, Master Swordsman.”   “How so, Kaidon?”   The Master Swordsman walked through one of the inner hallways of Vadam Keep with the Kaidon and a highly-decorated warrior known as Thel ‘Vadamee. They were headed towards the Kaidon’s office. The Master Swordsman had traversed these halls many times, and each time he had, he always felt uncomfortable. Even when he was a childling, still with egg yolk on his neck, he had always had a bad feeling about the Kaidon’s office. He shook off his feelings, though.   “You have chosen students that would

CHAPTER 5   'She will become a great warrior… Stop worrying, Thel. The Master Swordsman has never failed to teach one of his students. Lilumna will be fine…'   Thel ‘Vadamee knocked on the door to Nira and her broods’ quarters. They lived deep within Kolaar Mountain, at Thel’s insistence; it was much safer, should the keep ever come under attack. Thel wanted Nira and their children to be safe. His noble status gave him a certain pull.   It only took a few heartsbeats for the door to swing open. Thel had been expecting Nira to answer, so he was surprised when no one appeared in his line of sight. He looked dow