Chapter 1
“Snow and Sun”
Page 1
Panel 1: An older boy sits on a stool and makes wild hand gestures as he tells a story to a small group of village children. His name is Kuragarza Chishiro.
Kuragarza: As most of you know, Ingrams are our guardians and protectors. They are our teachers and friends. Unfortunately, not all of you will be gifted with an Ingram. Does anybody know how the Ingrams came to be with us?
Panel 2: All the children shift uncomfortably. A thin girl with bright green eyes in the back of the room calls out suddenly. She is the second oldest in the room.
Girl: It was a deal for protection. They got the ability to walk in the human realm in a human form, and we got guardians.
Kuragarza: Correct, Ekamber. They wanted to be human and having a human form was good enough for them.
Panel 3: Child in front raises his hand.
Child 1: So who made the deal?
Panel 4: Fade out into a scene of a shadow of a woman and an animal of light. She is holding her hand out to it.
CAP1: There was a woman who met with Ichiro, the first light Ingram. She made a pact with him, and asked for protection for her and her descendents, who would be later called the Blood of the Sosen. In exchange, Ichiro asked if he could tie the charge’s soul to their own so they would be their other half. The woman agreed.
Page 2
Panel 1: The woman’s face is half in shadow and the rest of her face is washed out by a blinding light that is being emitted from her right eye.
CAP1: Ichiro wound his soul with the woman’s and gave her some of the power he possessed now that they were one. She was given the power to Dreamgaze.
Panel 2: Snowy slopes with no footsteps and perfect blue shadows.
CAP 2: Ichiro was attracted to her purity of soul like a moth to fire. It was rare to find such a pure soul in an older person. Only infants were said to have them because of their innocence.
Panel 3: One figure is visible on the snow. No footsteps leading to where the person is standing
Panel 4: Close up on lower section on woman’s face. You can see her breath.
Page 3
Panel 1: A shattered mirror reflects a female Shadow dozens of times, none are the same.
CAP1: She used her power often...
Panel 2: Silhouettes of random children beside a pair of eyes, one eye is throwing out light.
CAP2: The woman soon grew curious of what would become of her future descendents.
Panel 3: A male shadow is shown with his hood covering his face except for his mouth, which is grinning with sharp pointed teeth.
CAP3: What she saw horrified her. She didn’t know that something else had been born along with the deal she had made...
Panel 4: A Shadow hand is reaching out.
Page 4
Panel 1: Kuragarza is sitting on a stool, smiling and telling the story and a male shadow is reaching out from behind him, but is faded, like a memory.
Kuragarza: Shadows...
Page 5
Panel 1: Children start getting up and murmuring. A little girl, about 6 or 7 with wavy blond hair runs up to Kuragarza who is gazing off in space to the floor.
Girl: K-Kuragarza? Are you all right?
Panel 2: Kuragarza looks up, smiling happily.
Kuragarza: I’m fine, Zurashii. Was there something you wanted to tell me?
Zurashii: What was the woman’s name? She had a name, Right, Kuragarza?
Panel 3: All children start staring at them, waiting for an answer.
Panel 4: Kuragarza turns thoughtful.
Kuragarza: No...I never heard about a name. It was lost with time.
Page 6
Panel 1: Another child, a boy with strange, wide eyes, who is slightly older than Zurashii comes up beside her and thrusts a picture into Kuragarza’s hand.
Boy: Come on, Zurashii! Mama said I can play some more!
Panel 2: Boy takes Zurashii’s hand and runs to the door. Kuragarza has the picture in his hand.
Panel 3: The picture is shown. It is a snowflake matched with a sun. An arrow points to a puddle of water. A Shadow is leaning over the water. There are words at the bottom of the page. “How can the Snow and Sun live together in peace?”
Panel 4: Kuragarza’s eyes are wide and scared. Ekamber is seen in the back, looking worried.
Panel 5: Ekamber looks as if to walk up to Kuragarza.
Panel 6: Ekamber instead slips past a heavy man who is just entering the room, her brown straight hair trailing behind.
Page 7
Panel 1: Heavy man comes to Kuragarza with frantic eyes.
Man (panting): Kuragarza, there is a disturbance in the west outskirts.
Panel 2: Kuragarza looks up, worried, one hand tucking the picture in a pocket and the other lightly perched on a knife scabbard. The man is glancing everywhere.
Kuragarza: From the old capital?
Man: I fear that it is.
Panel 3: Kuragarza running to the door while the man is reaching out tiredly. Children are staring quietly.
Man (calling loudly): Sl-slow down! I...I can’t keep up!
Page 8 (about 4 hours later)
Panel 1: Ekamber is bursting through a door, fuming, while a red-haired fox-like woman is bending down by the fire.
Ekamber (angrily): He won’t talk to me! Why won’t Kuragarza talk to me?
Panel 2: Woman stands up and smiles motherly. Ekamber collapses on a dingy sofa piled with blankets.
Woman: Welcome home, Ekamber! Awful cold, isn’t it? Haven’t seen this weather in...Well, to be quite honest, I’ve never seen this weather! (Pause)Gracious! Where is your coat? Don’t tell me you’ve been wearing that all day!
Panel 3: Ekamber is blowing her messed up hair off her face and has a clenched fist holding her head up.
Ekamber: I left my coat in the children’s room. Ah! Why won’t Kuragarza speak to me?! Tell me, Diamond! Why won’t he talk to me?!
Panel 4: Diamond (woman) folds a blanket. She’s smiling sympathetically.
Diamond: Ekamber...You must realize he has other people in his life. He’s nearly a man now. He’s just trying to figure things out. I’m sure, when your Ingram comes...
Page 9
Panel 1: The door slams open and Kuragarza is standing in the door way, bruised, cut, and battered in the doorway. His auburn hair is matted with blood and his green eyes are bright with pain and the cold.
Page 10
Panel 1: Ekamber standing bolt upright with fear on her face.
Ekamber: Kuragarza!
Chapter 2
“Mother, they got me”
Page 11
Panel 1: Diamond suddenly runs over to him. Ekamber is backing away.
Diamond: You’re late. I specifically told you to be home before sundown.
Ekamber: …You’re bleeding…
Panel 2: Ekamber steps behind Diamond while Kuragarza eases himself down on the worn sofa that Ekamber was on. Diamond’s face shows pain along with Kuragarza’s.
Diamond: How…How did you hurt your leg? I didn’t feel it earlier…
Kuragarza: You must forgive me for being late; I had to hop home.
Diamond: I think I have some bandages in the next room…
Panel 3: Diamond disappears and a small red fox leaps out of the room. Ekamber and Kuragarza are left face to face.
Page 12
Panel 1: Ekamber is red and Kuragarza looks nervous.
Kuragarza and Ekamber: So…
Panel 2: Both look away.
Kuragarza: Look, Ekamber… I didn’t mean to ignore you…I just don’t know how… how to…
Panel 3: Ekamber crosses her arms and continues to look away from Kuragarza.
Ekamber: How to love me? I’m your sister for Ichiro’s sake! You could show some human decency and at least show some sort of…affection! You have no problem smiling at other children! And that’s just smiling! Can’t you smile at me!? Please?
Panel 4: Kuragarza stands up suddenly, favoring his left leg. His face is red and angry.
Kuragarza: I’m trying! You think I’m not? You always vanish one minute and pop up the next with some guard telling me your bounty for stealing and would I pay it or see you off to jail! Wouldn’t you agree that it would be difficult to be loving and forgiving to someone who is constantly in trouble?
Page 13
Panel 1: Ekamber still has her back to Kuragarza. You can see her face and it is stony and impassive.
Ekamber: Ever since our mother and father were killed, you haven’t smiled at me. Do you blame me?
Panel 2: Kuragarza is looking at the ceiling with a scowl.
Kuragarza: You know I hate being under pressure…
Ekamber (scary voice!): Answer…the…question!
Panel 3: Kuragarza sits again.
Kuragarza: Do you think that if I blamed you, I would ever speak to again? Do you really believe I would continue talking to you if you had their blood on your hands? To be quite honest, Ekamber…I…I don’t know what to say.
Panel 4: Ekamber runs out the door as Diamond, the fox, runs back in.
Panel 5: Kuragarza is staring at the door while Diamond, the woman, bandages up his leg.
Diamond: You really need to work on your family skills.
Kuragarza: … (Panel 6: Puts head in hands)
Page 14
Panel 1: Ekamber is huddled on a rock without her coat. You can see her breath.
Panel 2: Ekamber suddenly looks up with a blank expression.
Panel 3: Ekamber is walking away from us, footsteps in the snow.
Page 15
Panel 1: A dark storage room with boxes, some opened, others not. A faint outline of a door is seen behind a few crates.
Panel 2: Door creaks slightly as it is pushed open.
Panel 3: Ekamber creeps in. Her face scared but determined.
Panel 4: A rustling sound is made as you see Ekamber bent over a large wooden box. Her belt with lock picking tools is dangling on her thin waist.
Panel 5: Ekamber’s belt slides off with a clatter.
Panel 6: Ekamber is frozen as a voice calls out, accompanied with a lantern at the door.
Voice: Who’s there?
Page 16
Panel 1: A worn black traveling boot steps in the snow. Blood speckled the ground.
Panel 2: Zurashii opens a door. She is thinking.
Zurashii(mumbling to herself): I don’t wanna wake up mama. So I’ll get some water myself!
Panel 3: Zurashii is pressing on the pump that leads into the house with a frown.
Zurashii: I’ll just get some snow. It’s clean.
Panel 4: Zurashii goes outside and scoops up some snow. She is aware of something.
Panel 5: A young man who is cut up and bloody falls to the ground in front of her.
Panel 6: Zurashii drops the cup and screams.
Page 17
Panel 1: Ekamber is pressed into a corner, trying to avoid attention from the woman holding the lantern. The woman pushes the door open wide.
Panel 2: The half of the face you can see of the woman looks frightened.
Woman: Who…who’s there?
Panel 3: A distant scream is heard. The woman spins around and drops the lantern.
Woman: Zurashii? I left you alone!
Panel 4: Close up on lantern. Some sparks are spat out. You can see the woman’s feet going out the door.
Page 18
Panel 1: Ekamber gets up and dusts off herself.
Panel 2: She rummages in a crate and holds up a frilly hanky.
Panel 3: Another scream echoes. This time it sounds like the woman. Ekamber drops the hanky and bolts for the door.
Panel 4: The woman is kneeling beside the body of the young man who fell. She’s crying.
Woman: Jai! Jai, what happened to you?
Jai: Shadows...They’re coming. I came to warn everyone. But...but, Mother...
Panel 5: Ekamber is in the doorway of the house. Her eyes are wide and she looks like she is about to be sick.
Page 19
Panel 5: Jai suddenly gasps and whispers something before he dies.
Jai: Mother, they got me.
Page 20
Panel 1: Snow is falling past Ekamber’s stony face.
CAP1 (Ekamber’s thoughts): And so Jai died. The first death of the new turn. He was good friends with my brother. He was always nice to me.
Panel 2: A large fire with the entire town watching.
CAP2: I wonder if Kuragarza will mind if I miss him. I saw him die after all.
Panel 3: Ekamber walks up Zurashii and kneels.
Panel 4: Close up on Zurashii’s face. She’s crying.
CAP3: I wonder if you would hate me if you knew that I saw your brother die. Would you hate me for intruding on a death in the family?
Panel 5: Kuragarza is watching Ekamber. His face is sad and thoughtful.
CAP4: “Do you blame me?”
Chapter 3
“Big Words”
Page 21
Panel 1: Ekamber is at the table reading a book. Kuragarza walks in with Diamond on his shoulder.
Kuragarza: We have books?
Ekamber: We have a book.
Panel 2: Kuragarza sits down and studies Ekamber.
Kuragarza: Who taught you how to read?
Ekamber: Fialis; Jai’s mother.
Panel 3: An awkward moment as Jai is brought up.
Kuragarza: So…uh…Where did you get the book?
Ekamber: It was given to me.
Panel 4: Kuragarza looks skeptical.
Kuragarza: You mean you stole it?
Panel 5: Diamond fox growls slightly at him. Ekamber sets down her book and raises an eyebrow.
Ekamber: No, I mean it was given to me. I don’t speak in code. I mean what I say.
Page 22
Panel 1: Ekamber stares Kuragarza down. Kuragarza looks embarrassed.
Kuragarza: So how did you get a book? I mean, who gave it to you?
Panel 2: Ekamber turned red and picked up her book.
Ekamber: Did you know that Jai already had a will? At his age?
Panel 3: Close up on Kuragarza. He looks worried.
Kuragarza: That was a poor attempt at changing the subject. Are you feeling all right?
Panel 4: Ekamber gets redder and pretends to read furiously while talking.
Ekamber: I wasn’t changing the subject; I was answering your question. Jai gave me the book. He had a will and I was in it.
Panel 5: Kuragarza looks taken aback. Ekamber continues to pretend to read. Her face goes down in color.
Page 23
Panel 1: Kuragarza turns suspicious and looks at Ekamber through slit eyes.
Kuragarza: What’s the book?
Panel 2: Ekamber tosses the book at him.
Ekamber: See for yourself. You know how to read, right?
Panel 3: Kuragarza studies the front of the book critically.
Kuragarza: What’s it about? No, wait. I remember. You used to tell me about this story all the time. Wow. I thought you made that up. You told it so badly.
Panel 4: Ekamber turns red and angry.
Kuragarza: But you told me that story before you could read. I know you did because you had only met Fialis once at the time. How did you learn it?
Panel 5: Ekamber stands up suddenly and looks highly mortified.
Kuragarza (still going on because he’s an idiot.): And why didn’t I get anything from his will? He was my best friend!
Page 24
Panel 1: Ekamber yanks the book from Kuragarza’s hands and runs to the door.
Ekamber: I’ll be on the roof if you want to talk after you have all your questions are out!
Panel 2: The door closes behind Ekamber.
Kuragarza: But who will I ask all my questions if you aren’t here!?
Panel 3: The roof shakes threateningly. Kuragarza looks up.
Panel 4: Kuragarza looks at Diamond on his shoulder.
Kuragarza: Do you know any answers?
Panel 5: Diamond jumps off his shoulder.
Kuragarza (sighing): I’ll take that as a no.
Page 25
Panel 1: Flashback. Jai is about 10 and Ekamber is 7. Jai is on the roof and Ekamber in a tree near the roof. He’s reading a book. The same book Ekamber has now.
Ekamber: Whatcha reading?
Panel 2: Jai looks up and closes the book shut.
Jai: Something you probably wouldn’t understand. It’s for older kids. Too many big words.
Panel 3: Ekamber looks thoughtful.
Ekamber: So can you tell me what it’s about? Without all the big words?
Jai: Probably not.
Panel 4: Ekamber looks surprised that Jai isn’t being mean about it. Jai is just smiling at the book.
Ekamber: Huh? Why not? Don’t you know the story?
Jai: Of course I do. That’s why I keep reading it. But, if I tried to explain it, I’d probably use big words you wouldn’t understand and then you would get confused. I’m not very good at explaining things.
Panel 5: Ekamber studies Jai under a fierce gaze. Jai looks surprised.
Jai: What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Ekamber: Well, you say you aren’t very good at explaining things, but you just explained why you can’t explain that story to me very well. Explain that.
Page 26
Panel 1: Jai starts laughing while Ekamber waits very seriously for an answer.
Jai: I couldn’t possibly explain that! Not only would it be tremendously difficult but it would be illogical!
Panel 2: Ekamber looks at him blankly while he smiles back, waiting for her to say something.
Ekamber: You just used a lot of big words, but I think I know what you said. Tell me if I’m right. You said that you couldn’t explain to me because it would be hard and pointless? Is that right?
Panel 3: Jai looks mildly surprised while Ekamber waited.
Jai: Well, yes. That is what I meant. Maybe you are ready for me to tell you the story. Do you want to hear it?
Panel 4: Ekamber smiles happily and laughs. Jai is confused by her sudden change in mood.
Ekamber: I kinda do want to hear it, but not right now. I was actually supposed to get you for lunch. Your mother sent me and Kuragarza out since she’s so tired. She’s very nice but very big. When is the baby coming? Can I see it when it’s born?
Panel 5: Jai smiles and hops off the roof. His house is part underground so he didn’t have far to jump.
Panel 6: He offers his hand to Ekamber.
Page 27
Panel 1: Ekamber leaps off the tree and lands gently. Jai applauds lightly.
Jai: That was quite impressive. You seem to have a talent for jumping out of trees. You could make a career out of it.
Panel 2: Ekamber looks at his for any sign of sarcasm but only sees a smile.
Ekamber: You use too many big words.
Jai: It’s only a sign of intelligence. So is reading. Do you know how to read?
Panel 3: Ekamber looks down and is red.
Ekamber: No. Mama never has the time to teach me she’s been so sick. It’s a good thing those Shadows haven’t been attacking. I don’t think Mama can take another battle.
Panel 4: Jai looks ashamed that he brought up the topic of her mother.
Jai: Chin up; I’m sure your mother is a strong woman. It’ll take more than another battle to bring her down.
Fialis: Jai! Will you hurry? I can see you I’ll have you know, so there isn’t much sense hiding.
Panel 5: Jai perks up a bit and grips the book tighter.
Jai: We’ll meet again. So don’t worry, you’ll hear that story! I promise.
Page 28
Panel 1: Jai walks into his house; Fialis is at the table.
Fialis: Why did it take so long for you to get in? I sent Ekamber and that Kuragarza after you.
Panel 2: Jai sits down and seems to adopt a more serious manner.
Jai: Please, Mother. Don’t call him “that Kuragarza”. It’s rude. You’ve known him for a while now. You know he isn’t bad. And I’m sorry for taking so long. I was talking to Ekamber.
Panel 3: Fialis looks worn down and tired. She smiles sadly.
Fialis: I’m sorry Jai. This baby is just so restless. It’s really quite a strain.
Panel 4: Jai smiles and takes a bite of his lunch.
Fialis: Hmm… I wonder…
Panel 5: Jai looks up at his mother’s murmuring.
Jai: What is it Mother?
Page 29
Panel 1: Fialis looks up and smiles warmly.
Fialis: I wonder what we should name the child. Would you like to name it?
Panel 2: Jai looks at his hands thoughtfully.
Jai: I would, but I have no idea what to name it. May I brainstorm on it?
Fialis: Of course. Nothing too crazy, and think of boy and girl names. I’m hoping for a girl.
Panel 3: Jai pouts playfully.
Jai: And what’s wrong with another boy?
Fialis: Ah. They pee too much.
Jai: Mother!
Panel 4: Jai is indignant and Fialis is giggling.
Fialis: Just joking, Jai. Just joking.
Page 30
Panel 1: Kuragarza is climbing on the roof behind Ekamber. Ekamber appears to be reading.
Kuragarza: Hey.
Ekamber: Do you have all of your questions out of your system?
Kuragarza: Mostly.
Panel 2: Kuragarza sits beside her and studies the roof intensely.
Kuragarza: Can I ask a few? I promise I won’t be obnoxious about them.
Ekamber: *sigh* Go ahead.
Panel 3: Kuragarza looks very nervous.
Kuragarza: You know that I’m the head of the house, right?
Ekamber: Yeah. I know. You aren’t going to gloat or anything, are you? Because if you do, I’m leaving.
Panel 4: Kuragarza tenses up.
Kuragarza: So you know that all the agreements that our father made was suddenly passed down to me, right?
Ekamber: Are you going any where with this? Because you are taking forever to spit this out.
Panel 5: Ekamber is looking sideways at Kuragarza while he is trying to keep his temper.
Kuragarza: So would you blame me for keeping all those arrangements the same? I mean I was what, 11 at the time? Ah, forget it. It doesn’t apply anymore.
Page 31
Panel 1: Kuragarza gets up and walks off the roof.
Panel 2: Ekamber stares at the book.
Ekamber: I still don’t understand those big words. How did Jai understand them at 10? *sigh* I suppose he was my superior in everything.
Panel 3: Ekamber hugs the book.
CAP1: “...everything.”
Page 32
Chapter 4
“Stubbornness”
Panel 1: Kuragarza is peeling a potato and Ekamber is lying across the sofa with her book. Diamond is sleeping in a chair.
Panel 2: Ekamber sets down her book for a moment.
Ekamber: So, what are we eating tonight? Mashed potatoes?
Panel 3: Kuragarza is spaced out.
Kuragarza: Sure, sure.
Panel 4: Ekamber turns red and angry.
Ekamber: What is with you?! You won’t even answer a simple question! Mashed potatoes, Kuragarza! Mashed potatoes! Would it kill you to pay attention to me?!
Panel 5: Kuragarza looks stiff and tense.
Page 33
Panel 1: Ekamber is glaring at his back.
Ekamber: Kuragarza, I’m the only family you have left. Why do you insist on hating me? And if it’s not hate, why the cold shoulder?
Panel 2: Ekamber gets up, still angry and marches towards Kuragarza.
Ekamber: Look at me! Just answer the stupid question! Why do you ignore me?
Panel 3: Kuragarza spins around, his face calm and cold.
Kuragarza: What do you think I do when I get quiet? Think about farming or fighting? No. I worry about you. There is so much I want to tell you, but... I don’t know how. You don’t let me.
Panel 4: Ekamber looks defensive and hurt. One hand is holding her book and the other thrust out as if she is saying “hit me”
Ekamber: I don’t let you?! How? Do I cover your mouth and forbid you to utter a word? Do I cover my ears and scream so I can’t hear you? What do I do?
Panel 5: Kuragarza is clutching the wrong end of the potato knife and his hand begins to bleed. Diamond wakes up with a start. Kuragarza doesn’t even flinch.
Kuragarza: You do this. You whine and complain and tell me how devoid of love I am. Maybe that’s why I had doubts about you and...
Page 34
Panel 1: Kuragarza stops and takes a deep breath.
Kuragarza: I wonder if I made the right decision. I wonder Jai could’ve put up with you and your stubbornness.
Panel 2: Diamond’s eyes widen; she is massaging her hand.
Diamond: Kuragarza...You promised you wouldn’t tell her. You said you wouldn’t hurt her!
Panel 3: Ekamber’s eyes are large and scared. Her hand let go of the book.
Ekamber: ...Jai...?
Panel 4: Ekamber is seen with the door wide open and snow swirling in. She’s putting on her coat.
Panel 5: Ekamber is leaning on the door on the outside, she is breathless and scared.
Panel 6: A footprint in the snow.
Page 35
Panel 1: Ekamber is pounding on a door. Zurashii’s house.
Panel 2: Fialis answers.
Fialis: Hm? Ekamber? I’m afraid I’m busy…
Ekamber: How long?
Panel 3: Fialis has a blank stare.
Fialis: I’m afraid I’m quite busy and I have no idea when I will be done. So please…
Panel 4: Fialis attempts to close the door, but Ekamber’s foot is in the way.
Panel 5: Close up on Ekamber’s face. It is dark and pulled together.
Ekamber: How long was I engaged to Jai?
Panel 6: Fialis gasps. Close up on her.
Page 36
Panel 1: Fialis opens the door wider with wide eyes.
Fialis: It was going to happen sooner or later. Come inside. It’s cold.
Panel 2: Ekamber is sitting in the same seat at the same table as Jai when he was talking to Fialis in the flashback. Fialis is kneeling beside Zurashii and whispering something to her.
Fialis: Go play, Zurashii. I have to talk to Ekamber. It might be a while. Why don’t you go ask Donahue if he’ll play with you? I’m sure is mother will let him.
Panel 3: Zurashii studies Ekamber.
Zurashii: You were at the children room during story time. You answered that question about the Ingrams.
Ekamber: Yeah. I was there, and I answered the question.
Panel 4: Fialis is reaching for a scarf while Zurashii continues to address Ekamber. Her face is haughty and accusatory.
Zurashii: I also saw you at Jai’s funeral. Were you friends with him?
Panel 5: Fialis looks up nervously. Ekamber smiles at Zurashii while Zurashii has her arms crossed and looks disbelieving and defensive.
Page 37
Panel 1: Ekamber leans over the table and smiles sadly at Zurashii.
Ekamber: I like to think that we were. Do you think that was okay?
Panel 2: Zurashii relaxes and smiles back.
Zurashii: Yeah. I think its okay. I like you, too. You’re serious and I think Jai liked that about you. At least that’s what he said.
Panel 3: Fialis dropped the scarf and looked at Zurashii, shocked. Zurashii is still smiling her approval at Ekamber. Ekamber’s face is blank and unfocused.
Fialis: He talked to you about Ekamber? When?
Panel 4: Zurashii looks at Fialis very seriously.
Zurashii: I asked him to talk the day he was all upset. He was talking to you earlier and then was all-quiet; so I asked him to come and talk to me and tell me what was wrong. He told me that he was gonna get married to Ekamber.
Panel 5: Zurashii and Fialis both look at Ekamber who is stony and pale.
Zurashii (to Ekamber): He said that he got along with you and was sorta happy about marrying you, because he liked reading to you. He was sad when you learned how to read. Then he couldn’t talk to you about stuff. He really didn’t mind at all.
Panel 6: Ekamber is looking down at her hands. They’re trembling. Zurashii is next to her and watching her face.
Ekamber: I always thought he looked down to me. I thought he wanted me to learn to read so that I could talk to him without having to ask him what words meant. I thought I was a nuisance.
Page 38
Panel 1: Fialis is standing up over Zurashii. She looks a little shaken, but sympathetic.
Fialis: Go outside and play, Zurashii. Ekamber needs a little time.
Panel 2: Zurashii takes Ekamber’s hand. Ekamber is almost crying.
Panel 3: Close up on hands, Zurashii’s hand is leaving Ekamber’s.
Panel 4: Fialis is watching Zurashii go while Ekamber remains hunched over her hands.
Panel 5: This panel is black with white fuzzy spots.
CAP: If I dream…I see her and her possible futures. Whoever this girl is…She is very relevant…It disgusts me…
Page 39
Panel 1: Ekamber and Fialis are sitting across from each other in Fialis’s home. They both have a cup of tea in front of them. Ekamber is bent over her cup.
Fialis: So, what do you want to know?
Ekamber: Why?
Panel 2: Fialis sighs heavily and reaches into a smallish box that’s on the table.
Ekamber: Why would you marry him into poverty? I’m poor! I steal to survive!
Panel 3: Fialis pulls out some crumpled paper from the box.
Fialis: My family believes in marrying for pity or for love. I suppose even if he didn’t like you, we still would have engaged you two.
Panel 4: Ekamber looks like she is about to hit Fialis but seems to realize that Fialis is being kind. Fialis gives Ekamber the papers which she has smoothed out.
Fialis: I took this from Jai’s room. It was crumpled in his desk. It’s all about Kuragarza. Could you give it to him, please? I’m afraid Jai didn’t leave him anything in the will.
Page 40
Panel 1: Ekamber straightens up as she receives the papers. They look like letters addressed to Kuragarza.
Ekamber: What did Jai’s father think? About the marriage?
Panel 2: Fialis looks worried and looks around for anybody listening.
Fialis: Well, he was at battle during the decision, and…well, he never knew. I knew he wouldn’t approve, but…Jai was really compatible with you. If it wasn’t love, well…it was as close as Jai was going to get in this town.
Panel 3: Ekamber slips the papers into a pouch on her waist. Fialis looks surprised. As if, she suddenly remembered something.
Fialis: I wonder what you would have done if you had been there when he died. I wonder if he would have said something different.
Panel 4: Ekamber is in the doorway of the house. Her eyes are wide and she looks like she is about to be sick. (Flashback)
Panel 5: Close up on Ekamber’s face. She looks startled that the topic was brought up.
Ekamber: “Mother, they got me.”
Panel 6: Fialis’s eyes are wide and almost angry.
Fialis: You were there. Get out of my house, you thief.
Page 41
Panel 1: Ekamber remains seated with a calm, serene look on her face. Fialis is standing, breathing heavily.
CAP1: I need to protect you.
Ekamber: I was going for a walk and saw Zurashii step outside. I ignored her and chased after a mouse, which went into your basement, until I heard her scream. When I ran back, I saw Jai, you and Zurashii. I’m not a thief.
Panel 2: Fialis’s face seems to cave in and tears fall down her face. Close up.
Fialis: He looks just like his father. I saw his father die almost the same way.
CAP2: You’ve seen so much…
Panel 3: Fialis sits down, her hands are covering her face. Ekamber tilts her head in an understanding manner.
CAP3: …your husband and son…
Panel 4: Ekamber stands up. Fialis is still crying.
CAP4: How can you stand strong and smile for anyone still? You should be broken…
Panel 5: Ekamber is walking to the door.
Fialis: …Shadows…
CAP5:…but you are not. You need mending, but can still live.
Panel 6: Ekamber is running through the snow.
CAP6: I’m sorry…You can’t lean on me.
Chapter 5
“Mirrors”
Page 42
Panel 1: Ekamber is running home. There are footsteps everywhere.
CAP1: Shadows... The dark inhumans that took my mother and father...
Panel 2: Ekamber bursts through her door. Kuragarza is bandaging his hand. Diamond is a fox at the moment and she is bristled with fright.
Kuragarza: Diamond? What are you... Ekamber?
CAP2: They traveled swiftly and killed violently. They rarely took prisoners.
Panel 3: Kuragarza is standing while Ekamber stands wide eyed at Diamond. Diamond is growling ferociously towards the window and swelling.
Ekamber(addressing Kuragarza): The Shadows are coming.
Kuragarza: There is no proof of that...
Panel 4: Diamond grows to a startling size. About the size of an alpha wolf. She is still growling at the window. Ekamber is pointing at her.
Ekamber: Is that not proof enough? Diamond is prepared for a war. She's your Ingram, you should know whether or not a battle is coming!