Prologue:
Tristan’s triceps stained as he crossed his broadswords over his head. He inhaled and watched the dust settle around his feet.
“Are you man enough to fight a youth of sixteen?” jeered a spectator.
“Sixteen? The dirty whelp looks fifteen,” Tristan’s opponent laughed.
Tristan arched an eyebrow, surprised that neither knew that he was thirteen.
The dust churned again as the older man aimed his sword at Tristan's heart and lunged. “I’ll show him for a fight!”

1//Call Her Rose
“Martha’s Theme”—Doctor Who soundtrack*
“Waiting For the World to Fall”—Music Inspired by Narnia
 “The Rainbow Connection”—The Muppet Movie
“My Mind Rebels at Stagnation”—Sherlock Holmes soundtrack

Peter’s shoulder smelled faintly of seasoned salt and cinnamon. The mixed scents were not quite unpleasant, but they wearied Rachael’s already weary brain. For hard months, she and he had trudged until their spines ached from toting backpacks and their minds narrowly missed the brink of shutting down.