She and her purple mother took the path that wound its way past the Aviary, birds chirping cheerfully, then followed the line of the Great Estuary, dipping through the orchards and the seresheep meadows before they came to the Western Bridge. It was the same path Leela had taken to meet Kandra for so many nights, when they would sit by the obelisk at the birthing houses in the moonlight and talk of Sera and Estelle or muse over the High Priestess’s motivations.

Kandra had also known of the High Priestess’s falsity—she had just been tricked into forgetting it. Years ago, she had thought her friend Estelle was dead until she saw her one evening by the obelisk. Frightened, she had run away and confided to the High Priestess, who had placed her hands on Kandra’s head and told her not to worry. After that, the memory of Estelle had faded from Kandra’s mind—until Sera had fallen. The loss of her daughter had broken whatever spell the High Priestess had cast. And so Kandra and Leela would meet in the Forest of Dawn and puzzle over what to do. The High Priestess needed to be stopped, but how?

The Forest of Dawn was so different in daylight with her purple mother beside her. It made all those other nights feel like something out of a dream. Or perhaps this was the dream. With so many new mysteries, her world felt as upside down as the dying gardens beneath the City that grew from the ceiling.

They met Olfa, another purple mother, as they entered the forest, an empty basket in her hands.

“Good morning, Ilianne,” she said to Leela’s purple mother. “My goodness, that smells wonderful.”

“It is my famous carrot stew,” she replied, beaming.

“I’m sure the purple mothers will appreciate it,” Olfa said. “I was just bringing another batch of fruit from the orchards, but I must return the basket to Freeda.” She eyed Leela with an expression of polite confusion. “Good morning, Leela.”

“Good morning, Purple Mother,” Leela said.

“Leela is hoping to hear news of Plenna,” her purple mother explained. “I told her she may accompany me to the forest but she must wait outside the sacred circle.”

Olfa looked relieved. “Well, I’m sure Plenna will be happy to hear she has a friend who cares so much. I can report that she is most impatient to become pregnant.”

Leela’s purple mother and Olfa traded knowing smiles.

“I won’t keep you,” Olfa said, and she waved goodbye and left Leela and her mother to make their way through the forest. The familiar smell of magnolia and crabapple filled Leela’s nose as they walked, bees humming pleasantly in the background. Morning sunlight dappled the ground through leaves of brilliant green.