Isles of the Emberdark

by Brandon Sanderson

“You didn’t come from here? Then where?” In that moment Dusk knew he had to protect the actual location of the portal. Otherwise this man would find it, claim it, and cut them off from this strange land. So he lied. “We dream,” Dusk said, “and in so dreaming, emerge into this place. Always, we must find our way home by defeating the Dakwara. The great serpent, demigod.” “The portal pulls you through, does it?” the man said. “Now that is interesting. Almost as interesting as your Invested birds. The Nahel bond, found in such a strange place as this. But what spirits do your birds bond to?” “Spirits?” Dusk said. “Yes, that’s the way of it,” the man said. “Spirits, or sprites, or whatever your local tongue might call them. That’s how the birds get their uncanny abilities, is it not?” Again, the man seemed to think he had the answers. Dusk gave him nothing further.