“Missus Kerr! Missus Kerr! What do you think about the new lights?” 

“Why now? Why not in the summer when nights are short anyway?” 

“Do you think this marks the end of our kind?” 

“What will Leylen become?” 

“Father, do you think that with the fake lights, Shadehands may get sick?” 

The questions were loud, unfiltered, coming from far too many people trying to get the attention to Alla Kerr. I weaved myself and Eishen through the sea of concerned Shade hands and their helpers, simply trying to get them to their bed with a glass of water. Still, people grabbed their arm, reached out to me, snapped at me to ‘wait my turn’. 

“Eishen!” their mother called as she noticed us walk in. “Thank goodness, I was starting to believe the crowd latched itself onto you.” She pulled them into a hug. 

“Can I help?” they asked, slurring their words. Alla glanced at me with a grin, knowing better. 

“No, not tonight, sweetheart. Get some rest, we will talk in the morning.” 

“Missus Kerr-” 

With every ounce of grace she was known for, Alla turned to the one trying to get her attention. “I need just a moment with my child, Sylvie, I promise I am not ignoring your question.” She looked back at me, her eyes barely betraying how overwhelmed she was. “Thank you for taking care of Eishen; make sure they get rest while I take care of this crowd, okay?” 

“Of course.” 

Eishen’s room had always been full of books. And not only on shelves; scrolls were piled in corners, books were stacked on their desk, loose sheets of poetry and ideas were scattered on the floor. Their ceiling was painted with stars and dragons and the most fantastical things imaginable; flying machines, flower petals, foreign scripts. I helped them into their bed - only big enough for one person - and poured water from a pitcher into a glass, adding a little salt and rosemary to it. 

“Hmmm, comfy,” Eishen muttered, already half-asleep. It was a relief. They would be fine, at least for the night. 

I could turn my attention back to the lights. 

Quietly, I wished them goodnight, and made my way back to the front of the Kerr domain. It had started raining, but still, crowds of people were waiting outside. I found my mother watching over it all from the kitchen area. 

“Alla keeps trying to speak up, but they don’t let her. It has been hours, everyone seems to think that the problem is unique to them and them alone.” 

I groaned and rubbed my face. It was going to be a long night. I wasted no time in joining Alla’s side, clearing my throat before speaking up. 

“Attention, please! I know you all have concerns and worries about the lights-” 

“Hey f*ck off, human, you know nothing of our concerns!” One man shouted. 

“Of course you wouldn’t think so, you never can keep a helper for more than a day, you a*s!” A woman yelled back; I recognized her as his ex-wife.

That was all it took for chaos to break out once again. Alla put a hand on my arm as a thanks for trying. Still, I wasn’t content. 

“Alright that’s it; everybody out!” I let my voice be carried across the room. “The more you crowd us, the less we can learn about these lights you’re so afraid of. You will get a letter with everything we know in the morning.” 

“But-” 

“If you want answers, wait until morning!” I replied to whoever had spoken, unable to stop myself from rolling my eyes. 

Slowly, people left the Kerr domain. Once there was nobody there that didn’t belong, I locked the door, turned off the lamp at the door and closed the shutters covering the small windows. I only let out a breath once everything had quieted down. My mother was already preparing tea, Alla had sunk onto the couch. 

“Thank you, Theodore.” 

“Of course.” I glanced at the remaining people in the house - some people related to the Kerrs, a few powerful Shadehands… it was far more manageable at least. One pot of tea would be just enough for everyone. I removed my coat, added wood to the fire, and sat on the armchair I had grown to call my own. A Shadehand’s helper brought out paper, ink and a few quills; many letters were to be written if promises were to be kept. I picked up a quill and a rather large book to use as a writing desk, balancing it on my lap. Alla took a shaky breath and forced a smile on her face as she looked at those she trusted most. 

“We have work to do. Now, let’s share what we know. You first, William.” 

William didn’t know much. Nor did three other people who were asked. But one man knew far more than I could have anticipated. He spoke of a large building made of metal and glass on the east side of the Grand Canal, just south of the Bridge of Whispers. It could not have been too far from where the towers were, I was sure of it. 

Others had noticed the towers, the smoke, the lights. I was left with nothing new to say. 

So I started writing what Alla dictated. We penned letter after letter, closing them with wax seals we dripped from blue candles, and deep into the night, we brought the letters to the homes of the Shadehands of Leylen.