23
The Bearer’s Choice
The burden of the Pact does not rest solely on the Bearer. The phantom defies its calling…the constant pull to ascend to a greater state of being. The reasons a phantom chooses to remain are many. Finding that reason rests upon the Bearer.
—From The Book of the Traveler
“I hope my theory is right,” Ashlyn said as she continued to scratch and scrape at the wall. The utensil was ill-suited to the task, leaving her hands blistered and raw. She fought the urge to curse; it was unbecoming of a princess. Besides, she didn’t want to draw attention. She wasn’t sure when they would come back again. She was just happy they had not noticed the spoon missing from her plate.
Of course, they hadn’t treated her as they would a “real” prisoner. She got nice meals and all the co
