Summary

Chapter 21

Joel lies awake in bed worrying about what might happen during his inception ceremony the following day. Joel decides to read to keep his mind busy. He reads the diary of a frontier woman who was attacked by wild chalkings. As he reads, Joel catches sight of a shadow out his window. Joel goes outside, thinking it is vandals. Instead, Joel is nearly attacked by chalkings. Joel begins to run, but realizes that the kidnapper will know which way he is running, so he changes direction just as he spots a Line of Forbiddance on the ground in front of him. Joel runs to the main office where Exton is working late. Exton brings Joel into the office and begins to draw a defense on the floor, revealing that he is a failed Rithmatist. Joel has discovered that the chalklings are...