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Berinfell return at last.”
    Cheers and shouts erupted, but above it all, the Elves began to clap, everyone synchronized: clap—clap—clap —slow at first, then increasing speed. Clap, clap, clap . Thousands of Elves clapped in perfect rhythm even as the pace picked up. Faster and faster it went, until it was full-out applause, and the high cleric again silenced the crowd.
    â€œTaken as infants and exiled to Earth where they would know nothing of their true lineage, today they have come here to claim their birthright.” Alwynn slowly surveyed the entire room and lifted one hand. “Will you all witness their ascension and pledge your service to them?”
    â€œWE WILL!” came the choral reply.
    Alwynn walked in a circle and traced a fingertip around a sloping cone of gray metal that stood waist high in the exact center of the floor. “You, faithful Elves of Berinfell, wish to serve your lords, but you must meet them first. You must meet them ALL.”
    He turned and gestured toward an entrance to the far right of the young lords and their thrones. There, a shadow appeared in the doorway. This figure came forward, followed by two flet soldiers. They neared the center of the hall. Johnny squinted, saw the silvery dremask light in this person’s hair. It can’t be . I thought she’d still be too weak to walk on her own .
    The figure came a little closer to the thrones. Johnny yelled, “AUTUMN!” And it was. She looked haggard and pale, but determined. She walked slowly across the hall, the two flet soldiers right behind her. As one, the other six teens raced toward her and embraced her. “Autumn, you’re walking,” Johnny said, holding her away from him.
    â€œI’m still very sore,” she said. “But I’m getting my strength back quickly. Claris says in another week, I’ll be able to run. I mean . . . really run. But there are other things . . .” Her voice trailed off, and she and Johnny shared a sad and knowing glance.
    What was that about? Tommy wondered.
    Kat frowned as she read Johnny’s and Autumn’s thoughts. “Poor Johnny and Autumn,” Kat’s thoughts replied in Tommy’s mind.
    What? Tommy’s urgent question flashed back.
    â€œThey’re not brother and sister . . . they just found out.”
    But no additional thoughts passed between them as the high cleric stilled the cheering audience and motioned for the lords to be seated, and then motioned for the audience to be seated.
    Alwynn’s eyes underwent a transformation. The quiet peace was replaced by vital confidence, almost ferocity. His voice matched his glare. “We, the Children of Light, have dwelt far too long in darkness,” he said, the urgency of his words intensifying. “We, the founders of Berinfell and the caretakers of all of Allyra, have hidden in fear for far too long. We, the most ancient of the Great Races, have allowed ourselves to be driven near extinction. But NO MORE.”
    Cheers and more synchronized clapping. Alwynn gestured behind him, and the other six robed figures lowered their hoods. “Brethren of Elders, come forward. It is time to see our lords properly attired.”
    Properly attired? Kat looked down at her tunic and then over at Tommy and the others. But we’re all already dressed pretty elegantly . She looked over to Kiri Lee who smiled back with confidence, used to being the center of attention.
    Alwynn came first to Tommy. “You are Felheart, son of Lord Velaril and Tarin, his bride, of the tribe Silvertree. You were born a lord, but you must also choose to fulfill those duties by a pure heart. Your position requires stout leadership, but also . . . relentless service. Will you, before Ellos and all these you see assembled here, assume your position as a Lord of Elves? Will you honor our creeds? And will you serve your people?”
    â€œI will,” said Tommy.
    Alwynn pulled