Autumn arrived with troubling news. A messenger from the eastern territories rode into Moonvalley at dawn, his horse lathered and exhausted, bearing urgent correspondence sealed with the Continental Assembly's mark.
Aria was in the training center when the message arrived. Nessa herself brought it, her expression grave. "Read this immediately," Nessa said.
The letter was from Master Corinne, written in haste with unusual brevity.
Master Healer Aria,
Three victims of new gift extractions have been reported in the eastern territories over the past two weeks. The extraction methods match Collector techniques exactly. Either some Collectors survived the raids or someone has learned their methods. The Continental Assembly is convening an emergency session in five days. Your presence is required immediately. This threatens everything we have built. Come with all speed.
Corinne
