"I didn't know Ancients had to follow laws," said Marki. "Through the Circle of Law, we come to know what it means to be an Ancient—to have been given such a Gift, and such a responsibility," explained Bobres. Marki considered this as she reviewed the events of the last two days. Her parents had died in the drought. She had been thrown down a well by an angry mob. She had been attacked by buyu, great cats and a shining, black serpent. And life was only going to get more dangerous as the Ancients gathered to save Cadeven from the Regent Maid and her Realm. With a deep breath, Marki pulled on her Mantle, accepting the Circle of Law—and her role as the Governor of Death.