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“I am your grand counselor, Athenia Pelia. It is an honor to have met many of you already today. I am the director of your conference this week. I hope that this is going to be a memorable learning experience for all of you and something you can look back on fondly in years to come. There is no doubt in my mind that connections will be made, knowledge will be gained and challenges will be conquered. Before we eat, I would like to introduce you to the mentors you will be studying with this week.” She gestured toward the counselors’ table, and the woman closest to the podium stood up.
    â€œColleen Umeo Hashiro, hailing from Kauai, USA, is our resident historian with more than twenty-five years of experience in the fields of archaeology, world history and information services. You will see her for workshops on knowledge foundations, archives, history and mythology, information science and the future of information technologies.”
    Charlie nodded and scribbled. “That one’s on my itinerary.”
    The next woman stood up, and Lil recognized her from registration earlier in the day. Her hair had been only slightly tamed since then, and she had a new shirt on for the dinner.
    Athenia smiled and continued. “Trudy Finnegan. Known across continents for her groundbreaking work in particle acceleration. You’ll be seeing her this week in the lab. You will not want to miss her series of workshops called Women in Science and Technology: The Next Generation.”
    Sydney’s eyes seemed to light up and she jotted a few notes in her folder.
    â€œJust past Trudy, you will see Bente Formo,” Athenia continued.
    Lil’s heart shot into her throat at the sound of her name.
    â€œComing to you from Krigsskolen Academy in Norway, she is here to lead the workshop on women in military service, leadership roles and the future of women in combat.”
    Lil watched Bente stand. Shoulders back. Chin up. Jaw tight. A serious face, but not unkind, like Mom, someone you wanted to make proud. She looked a little older than the rest of the women, but stronger, too.
    â€œOh jeez.” Sydney capped her pen. “I am not going within fifty feet of her. Do you see the size of her biceps?”
    â€œI’m pretty sure the schedule is nonnegotiable. Rotating through each workshop every day,” Charlie whispered.
    â€œNo way. I’m getting a headache during that one. Do they have a nurse here?”
    â€œI’m excited about it,” Lil said.
    â€œDo you really want to go into the military?” Sydney hissed, leaning across the table toward her. “Do you realize how dangerous that is?”
    â€œI’m going to fly,” Lil said, involuntarily looking out the window.
    â€œAre you speaking metaphorically?” Charlie whispered, looking up from her journal. “I do love metaphors.”
    â€œNo,” Lil said. “I mean, I’m going to fly . . . a plane . . .”
    It took a moment for Lil to realize that the room had gone quiet and several pairs of eyes were looking at her. Athenia paused with hands in the air, and when her gaze finally landed on Lil, she looked almost as if she had seen a ghost. Lil felt her face flush.
    Athenia cleared her throat. “If we are quite ready, we will continue.”
    Lil’s eyes found her hands. She heard a giggle and didn’t have to look to know it was Vivi Lancaster.
    Luckily, Lil felt the focus return to the front of the room as Athenia continued. “And lastly, I will be teaching Women in Arts and Culture: Present, Past and Future.” A few claps resounded around the table as the artists made themselves known. “I will also be holding open studio hours all week long, so you will have plenty of opportunity to explore the wonderful world of art.”
    Athenia paused and checked a notepad in front of her.
    â€œShould you need anything throughout your stay, there will always be someone