* * * *
Gerard dreamed that night that he stood on the shores of a starless sea, with only a fingernail of yellow moon shining through the clouds. He was lost and alone and very cold. He was looking for something, but he did not know what.
Then light exploded in front of him. It struck him like a hammer, so that he sank to his knees. Squinting into the heavy brilliance, he saw a huge eagle with feathers so bright they looked like flame. Gerard struggled to his feet. He did not want to appear afraid.
The Firebird looked at him with warm, golden eyes, and Gerard knew that he could hide nothing from this creature. He also knew that the Firebird saw his courage in the face of his fear and loved him for it. The huge eagle bent his head until his beak brushed Gerard’s forehead and uttered one word. “Mine.”
Then the light went out, except for one tiny spark on the sand. Gerard picked it up—a golden feather, warm and glowing. He saw a trail, then, leading away into the caves beside the beach. He followed the trail, carrying the golden feather. The darkness seemed to press against him. Darker and deeper he went, until he could see nothing except the feather. He clutched it in both hands, terrified that he would lose it, that he would lose himself in the darkness.
The Guild of the Cowry Catchers, Book 1: Embers Page 11