Bet nodded. “I’m not sure how large it is, but it is made up entirely of wizards. The order watches over the dome and the creatures trapped inside.”

“The dome?” Jorick asked. “You mean the wall?”

“Yes. It appears to be a wall, but that is because the entire top of the dome is made up of transparent blocks so that the sky can be seen from inside while not letting any flying creatures—like the chimera—escape.”

“What is the wall—the dome—for?” Evin asked. “Who built it?”

Still looking into her lap, Bet’s face scrunched into confusion. “It’s … I don’t know,” she said. Eyes wide, she looked between Evin and Jorick. “It’s just always been here?”

She seemed unsure. Evin couldn’t tell if it was an act or not.

Bet shrugged. “Working for the order, well, it’s boring. It gets so tedious watching over the dome that from time to time the wizards … they play a little game.” Swallowing, she met Evin’s eyes. “They adopt two or three orphans from nearby cities, ones who have shown great potential for battle. Fledgling clerics and wizards and—”

“Rogues and fighters,” Evin muttered. “Like us.”

“Like us?” Jorick stared at Bet. “But I’m not an orphan. I have a father—”

“No.” Bet couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. “You just thought you did.” She cleared her throat and went on. “You see after they have adopt the orphans, the wizards devise a campaign for them and place them inside the wall, near a fabricated town. The children are given new memories that are supposed to replace their old ones. Then they experience a catastrophe that sets them on a journey.”

“Like a test?” Evin asked. “To see if we are fit for battle or something?”

Next to the boy, the chimera adjusted his position and lashed his tail against the wall. Evin swallowed. The creature was growing bored.

“Um, not exactly,” Bet said, looking down once more into her lap. “The wizards take bets as to how long the children will last—or if they will even last at all. It is very rare for any of the orphans to survive, but there is always the chance. Those who bet on the success of the children pay the most gold pieces—and if they win, the order doubles the winners’ treasure.” She smiled faintly. “The order’s motto is ‘the greater the risk, the greater the reward.’”

Evin’s whole body felt stiff, and his lip trembled. He stared at the side of Bet’s face. She was still looking away from him.

“It’s a game,” Evin whispered. “It’s all just a game to you. You and the other wizards just put us in here, took away our memories, and are planning to watch us die. All for your amusement.”