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the garden, twisted trunks climbing up to lush, fruit-bearing branches. The sound of bells sent a flurry of birds skyward. She thought she saw a few rushing sheep and a turbaned head ducking in and out of the trees. The clouds above rowed their way across the sky, their dark bellies lit by the fire of the dying day. The wind picked up, drumming across the rooftop, and Lil could hear her mother’s voice in it, as if this was where it had always lived:
Min zeis aplos.
Zeis tolmira
. Do not just live. Live boldly.
    A knock came at the door and Lil jumped, shoving the picture into her pocket.
    â€œLil? Lil?”
    She rushed inside, pulling the balcony doors shut behind her, and opened the dormitory door. Sydney and Charlie looked in at her.
    â€œIt’s six fifty now,” Sydney said, holding her watch out for Lil to see. “Dinner?”
    â€œSorry!” Lil said, grabbing her folder.
    â€œDon’t forget your candle,” Charlie said, holding hers up.
    â€œOr you can both leave your candles and I’ll bring the flashlight,” Sydney said. “I actually have rechargeable batteries in it.” She waved it in front of Lil. “Who’s sustainable now?”
    â€œYeah, but if we don’t come back at the same time,” Lil said, wondering if she might see . . . might talk to Bente.
    Sydney shrugged.
    Lil picked the candle up from the dresser and pushed it into a waiting candleholder, then joined the others in the hall.
    They made their way downstairs, past the kitchen and office into the foyer. Girls began to trickle down the spiral staircase. A large wooden door hinged to its frame with strapped iron stood open, welcoming them into the dining hall.
    Lil scanned the room, savoring the simple beauty of it. If this was Greek, maybe she was Greek after all. The idea was definitely growing on her.
    One long wooden table cut the room in half. Beeswax candles warmed the bellies of large and small glass jars. The dark stone that made up the walls seemed to absorb the twinkle, but a fading beam of sunset silhouetted the hollyhocks that had reached the windows and craned their cheerful faces inside. Kindling had been set in a squat fireplace on one end of the room, and a large fresco of a woman holding a ball of thread ornamented the wall just above it. More Ariadne. But without the other symbols this time. Lil wondered how long the fresco had been there. It looked faded, salmon colored, barely detectable. The chairs that hugged the table were short-backed and wicker. Each seat was set with a copper-rimmed plate and a matching porcelain bowl. And the mugs looked to be handcrafted and ranged from deep blue, to sea green, to blood red.
    â€œWant to sit over here?” Charlie asked, heading across the room to a few seats in the middle.
    Sydney nodded, and Lil could see no reason to disagree. It was a small group, much smaller than she had realized it would be. It didn’t really matter where they sat. They would be able to see the counselors’ table and the podium that stood next to the fireplace. Lil just wanted to spot Bente. She hoped the woman might notice her in the crowd.
    Lil pulled out a chair and took a seat. The roasted chickens had been placed evenly down the center of the table. Little cast-iron pots sat between them, the ends of ladles poking out like flags. And big bowls of salad were filled with smile-shaped tomato wedges drowning in oil. Lil was tempted to snatch one out of its bowl.
    The intercom crackled, and a voice emanated throughout the manor.
    â€œHello, future leaders. This is your grand counselor, Athenia Pelia. Opening remarks will commence in five minutes, followed by dinner. Please make your way to the dining hall.” She repeated herself in Greek, German, French, Spanish and Chinese.
    By the time the announcement came to a close, most of the seats at the table were occupied. Sydney pulled her packet onto the table, and Lil noticed that she had