Magic always comes with a price.  Because it’s a tightly controlled commodity divvied out, as they see fit, by the Order of Thorns. The Order is ancient and enigmatic. Nobody even knows how or why they came to control the access to the magic so absolutely, only that it has been this way for centuries. Lyra is an elf girl with no questions about the Order, or the magic, or who is or isn’t pulling the strings. Lyra likes plants. And mushrooms. But a chance encounter in the forest the day before she heads to the big city leaves her with something in her mind, and in her pocket, that will change everything.  Lyra is about to learn more than she ever asked to know, not only about the ancient mysteries of the Order of the Thorn, but also about the worlds of humans, dwarves, and the very nature of magic itself. And meet at LEAST one cute boy along the way. - Chapters will be initially released without editing. I'd welcome and love any feedback you might have! Thank you!