aid it needed—and the situation has vastly improved. But Tam and Linh returned to the Lost Cities not long after, so there’s no way to know if Tam’s performance would’ve progressed.
RELUCTANT CHANGES:
Tam and Linh agreed to help Sophie and her friends when they snuck into the ogres’ capital (Ravagog). And that mission led to the discovery of vital information on how to cure the gnomish plague. But in order to escape the ogres’ city, Linh was forced to flood (and destroy) more than half of Ravagog. So she—and her brother—seemed surprised when their efforts were viewed by the Council as a victory. And both twins were genuinely stunned (and a touch reluctant) when they were welcomed back into the Lost Cities and offered admission into Foxfire. They made it clear that should they return, they had no desire to live with their parents again, so special arrangements were made. And with that, Tam and Linh’s banishment ended. The Black Swan also offered to let them join the order—and Linh seemed eager to swear fealty. But Tam had a number of reservations and only joined the Black Swan when he apparently grew tired of his sister “nagging” him about it.
STILL SOMEWHAT ADRIFT:
Since leaving their makeshift camp near the Wildwood Colony, Tam and Linh have floated from home to home. They stayed in an empty dwarven house for a period. Then in one of the Black Swan’s hideouts—until that location was compromised. And now it appears they’re staying with Sir Tiergan in Solreef (since Wylie has moved to [LOCATION REDACTED FOR SECURITY] to be with his father during Prentice’s recovery). But it’s unclear if Solreef is a permanent arrangement, or whether they’ll be moving again. What is clear is that Tam continues to refuse his parents’ invitations to return to Choralmere (and while Linh recently dwelled there, the move was not meant to be permanent). The rift between the Song twins and their parents obviously needs more time (and perhaps more effort on Quan and Mai’s part) in order to heal.
A TEST OF TRUST:
Tam refuses to trust anyone until he’s taken a reading of their shadowvapor and measured their potential for darkness against their illumination. It’s unclear how often his readings lead him to reject someone as an associate, but reports do indicate that he tested Sophie Foster, as well as the rest of her friends—and the Black Swan—before working with them. In his defense, the process is both quick and painless, and does seem to shed at least some light on a person’s character.
FRENEMIES:
While the above term may seem too gimmicky for a subheading in an official file, it’s truly the best word to describe the strange relationship dynamic between Tam and Keefe Sencen. The two boys are decidedly not friends—in fact, reports suggest they disliked each other almost immediately (and the nicknames they use for each other range from the clever and witty to downright mean-spirited). Some suspect it’s because Tam violated Keefe’s privacy and read Keefe’s shadowvapor without his permission when they first met, while others would argue it’s because Keefe refused to have his shadowvapor read as though he had something to hide. Others still might suggest it’s actually because the two have quite a bit in common—but prefer to think of themselves as uniquely alone in their challenges and principles. Whatever the cause, it’s doubtful that Tam and Keefe will ever truly be friends. But it’s important to note that they have never appeared to truly be enemies, either—a fact that became increasingly vital when Tam was taken by the Neverseen and Keefe’s mom (Lady Gisela) forced him to use his ability on her son. Had there been true ill will between the boys, Tam wouldn’t have attempted to warn Keefe about what his mom was planning—and Keefe would’ve tried to harm Tam in their final showdown.
THE TRUE POWER OF DARKNESS:
Tam’s skill as a Shade has always been impressive—particularly considering the fact that he’s had so little formal training. For instance, on the mission to Ravagog, he was able to hide his friends in shadow and help them move through the city undetected. He also lifted the veils of shadowvapor in Prentice Endal’s mind, bringing back what little remained of Prentice’s shattered consciousness in order for Sophie to perform a mental healing. But a truly astounding aspect of Tam’s talent was discovered after the Neverseen’s Shade (who called herself Umber) attacked Sophie and Fitz with shadowflux. Few Shades can detect the rare sixth element, much less control