Ruth sat up, unable to sleep. The night had been unusually cold and she felt a chill in her bones. Wrapping herself in a robe, she headed toward the main chamber. As she glided down the torch-lit passageway, she heard the click-clack of the loom. She thought that odd.

“Sister!” Ruth said when she spotted Tabitha hard at work. “What has got you up so late in the night?”

Keeping her eyes on the weave, Tabitha took a long breath and exhaled slowly before saying, “I am making a new tunic for Anna.”

“I see,” Ruth said, nodding. Her features then shifted with disbelief. “What did you say?” she asked.

Tabitha took control of another breath and said, “I am making a new tunic for Anna.”

Ruth’s jaw dropped. “Tabitha,” she said. “You are not stuttering!”

A smile spread across the young woman’s face. “Anna has been teaching me a special way of breathing,” she said, then emitted a slow, controlled exhalation. “And made a special remedy to help me.”

Ruth smelled the scent of mint and haoma and a realization struck her between the eyes. Before she could speak, the door inside the scriptorium closed with a loud clank. Shortly afterward, Anna appeared before them.

“Why is everyone awake?” she asked, appearing confused. “Is it already morning?”

Ruth rushed up to Anna and threw her arms around her. “You have done very well, my friend,” she told her. She nodded toward Tabitha. “Tell me, what made you think to use the haoma remedy?”

Anna glanced down at her feet. “I could not say, really. Just a feeling I had after seeing Shereen make the mixture. Something about it reminded me of a time in my childhood. When I had seen Zahra using it.”

Ruth nodded thoughtfully. “From what I have heard, she was a gifted healer,” she said. She gazed down again at Anna. “And now it would seem that you are following in her footsteps.”

“Oh no! Not at all,” Anna said, taking a step back. “It was just something I thought might help,” she added. But inside she felt lightened by a sense of accomplishment … and purpose.

Ruth pressed a finger to her chin. Though not entirely certain why, she felt it imperative to inform Mother Susana of Anna’s achievement.

Ruth lifted a pitcher and poured three cups of water. “We should all be going to sleep now. Tomorrow will be a momentous day,” she said.

“Yes it will!” Tabitha chimed.

Anna tipped her head. “Why will it be momentous?” she asked.

Ruth glanced over. “Have you not heard?”

Anna shook her head.

Ruth frowned. She knew the news would be difficult for her friend to hear. And she should have thought to make sure Anna knew ahead of time.

Unaware of Ruth’s thoughts, Tabitha said, “It is Shereen’s final day among us. For tomorrow she will depart to begin life as an Awakener!”