Out of the Mountain Read Free Page A

to my eyes. I was reunited with childhood friends if only for a night, and as I said farewell to the people, I knew I was doing the right thing by leaving. Kenja was going to be a grandmother; her oldest daughter was with child, and they were ecstatic. My stomach dropped when I saw who the father was: the very same man who had been in the clutches of the Shade in the monks’ premonition. I congratulated them, and when Tori made me promise to keep in touch, I felt the first tinges of loss in my heart. I had to ensure their safety. The future I had seen would not be the one that came to be.
    The monks didn’t give me much information, even though I was relentless in asking for it. They had sent word, and I was to have a guide retrieve me and take me somewhere safe. They would not tell me specifics of my destination, for whatever reason, and believe me, the monks always had their reasons. I was both excited and afraid, the emotions warring in my head constantly.
    ***
    The week of my birthday I was packed and dressed in my new, sturdier clothes as the monks escorted me through the valley before dawn. I wore thick, rough-hewn pants and boots in a shade of brown that matched the dirt under my feet. My shirt was a pale green, a thin material that might as well have been a tunic. The monks had made these clothes themselves, a gift for my journey. Although not at all stylish, I treasured them even more for it.
    “The ward around you will not break before your birthday, so fear not. You will make it to safety well before then as long as you stick to your path. Do not stray, Vivienne. It is important that you get there in time.” Master Liung smiled kindly to take the edge off his warning. I was going to miss him. I would miss them all, really.
    “When will I see you again?” I asked sadly.
    “All will be revealed in time,” he joked, and I cracked a smile. The monks’ token answer for any question that they weren’t allowed to answer. That was one thing I wasn’t going to miss at all.
    Each of the monks bid me farewell, and Master Tatsu gave me my pack, which was filled with supplies, and instructions to climb past the next mountain and find a safe place to wait. Whoever the monks contacted was sending a man named Rowan to lead me to my destination. I felt as if I was in some kind of nonsensical dream. I had spent my entire life sheltered and hidden away, and now they were going to send me off on my own to traipse through unknown territory? I had not spent a single night outside of their mountain, and now they expected me to climb one on my own. It was ludicrous. When Master Liung was the only one left, I allowed myself to cry. I saw tears in his eyes as well and pulled him into a hug.
    “I still can’t believe any of this is really happening.”
    “If there was any other way, we would have found it.”
    “Thanks for everything, Master Liung.”
    “Thank you as well, Vivienne. You do not understand the treasure you were to us,” he replied, slipping something into my hand.
    “What is this?” I asked, sniffling and taking a closer look. It was a dragon coin the size of my thumbnail, attached to a thin leather cord. I could feel the power radiating off it.
    “A necklace,” he said wryly as I slipped it on. This was odd, and I knew it was more than that. The monks didn’t give material gifts without purpose.
    “What is it really?” I asked suspiciously.
    “It is a favor. If you are ever in dire need of help, put the coin under your tongue and say my name. I will hear your call. It will come at great cost, so please use it wisely,” he said seriously, and I had no doubt it was true.
    “Thank you, Master Liung,” I said again, and he patted my back and turned me to face the mountain.
    “Now you must begin your journey, and time is of the essence. I have seen much, and though you may doubt your own strength, I have no such reservations,” he said solemnly as he turned and walked away. I squared my shoulders and