Free Out of the Faold (Whilst Old Legends Fade Synchronicles) by Laura Abudo

life.”
    Karl was unable to speak . She calmed and felt her body relax a little further into her control. She was able to wiggle her toes and take a deeper breath.
    “Until now you have not been the most pious of Brothers,” the woman started but when Karl balked in shame the woman laughed and said, “No apologies necessary. With the state of the Faold I wouldn’t blame you. The Brothers and Sisters have corrupted the true faith beyond all recognition. They dabble in politics and sorcery, doing their own bidding, not ours. As you suspected, you were ordained as a political move. You have become much more important than they could have imagined.
    “In your charge are three girls, all of different backgrounds, temperaments, skills and talents. Their safety is of utmost importance. They are NOT to be Sisters. In the waters of the W ell you will see the fates of your three girls. You must not share this information with anyone else unless they have been chosen by us and we permit you to speak of it. You will take them north to your homelands and you will train them, not in the ways of the Faold but in the ways you see fit. We will give you guidance. You will not be alone.
    “Soon there will be changes, momentous changes that will engulf you. A wave has started of pain and sorrow. It is out of our control. We need you to protect the children. You will face struggles and danger but you will not be alone. Be true to your heart and to your family responsibilities. You must follow the path a lready laid out for you.
    “ The grey robes of the Brothers are no longer suitable. You will renounce your ties to the Faold as it is a false faith. The girls will no longer wear t he yellow robes of the Sisters.
    “When you step into the well time will no longer exist. The outside world will no longer be there and you will not have form. When it is time for you to emerge you will know. Bring the others here. All of them. Have them step into the well one at a time. Wait until all are done then leave this place as you found it.
    “Do you accept our will as your own and promise to do as we ask?”
    Brother Karl inhaled shakily and nodded with wide eyes of uncertainty. The feel of warm hands on her back pushed her forward into the pool and she sank into its depths into darkness.
    Alternately Krisa watched the road and the hill where Brother Karl had gone . Glory got anxious and called up a few times to find out if she could see anything. When Karl hadn’t returned after an hour or more Krisa jumped down from the tree and got help from Pearl to climb up on Horse. At t he hill , after tying Horse to a tree at the base of the path , she wound her way up to the top. She found a crumbling old arch, worn down by years and rain. Leaves and debris littered a broken stone pool with fetid water. Brother Karl’s boots and stockings were placed neatly to the side.
    Panic filled Krisa as she looked around her, scanning the trees for any sign of their guardian. Where would she go without her boots? She started to call for her. Horse whinnied when he heard her voice but Karl didn’t call back. T here was no sign the leaves or scummy vines had been disturbed in the pool. It wasn’t likely she’d fallen in . She left Karl’s boots where they were and raced down the path to Horse. A fallen tree was used to hoist herself onto his back. They galloped around the perimeter of the hill with Krisa scanning the fields and calling for Brother Karl. There was no sign of her. Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew the Brother would not have left them alone. Back at the camp she found the other girls waiting anxiously.
    “Pearl,” she told her friend, “I’m going back to find the Marshalls. I can’t find Brother Karl. Her boots are still there.”
    Glory began to cry. “What do you mean?”
    “I need you to watch for her,” she told Pearl, pointing to the climbing tree. “Watch all the time. I’ll bring the Marshalls.”
    “Are we alone now?” Pearl