Adventure Summaries Sessions 87 to 100

The adventurers rest for the day at Colciago and make preparations to travel east to Helike. Martina gives Rohese 5 pounds to cover any expenses that arise which must be paid before the harvest is in.

The adventurers depart Colciago. Martina leaves her riding horse and warhorse behind and travels on foot.

That afternoon they reach the village of Potenza. The local lord, Sir Ezzelino, invites Martina and her companions to stay at his manor house that evening. Sir Ezzelino is friendly towards Martina but coolly distant towards Zeno, apparently because of some incidents that Zeno dismisses as "childish japes".

That evening, Hermione is not pleased that Armand tries to stop her entering her bedroom because Master Eddas is giving Wesley his evening lesson. Master Eddas refuses to continue teaching while Hermione is present. Hermione sarcastically tells Wesley she's fine with being forced out of her room, and while Wesley misses Hermione's meaning Armand intervenes to arrange for Wesley's evening lessons to be in his room instead.

Later, Dormita visits Luxian in his dreams to warn him that he's taken too long to return the Hatuli and must now face Mayauel's anger. Luxian wakes from his dream as the window to the bedroom he shares with Imilia is broken by a two-headed Mungodan monstrosity with hooks for hands that argues incessantly with itself. The monstrosity clambers into the room in pursuit of Luxian, who uses sorcery to turn invisible and hide until the monstrosity is forced away through the World of Spirits by Theresa.

Sijam searches outside for any clues, but only finds Feodora returning from exploring the village. Imilia refuses to share a room with Luxian while he's being pursued by the embodiment of another sorcerer's anger, and relocates to Sijam's room while Sijam moves in with Luxian so he isn't sleeping alone. Theresa loans the Hermitage Bible to Luxian so he can sleep with it in the hope that it protects him from Mayauel's anger, and gives Sijam permission to read the Bible to learn more about the Selentine True Faith.

The adventures depart Portara and continue travelling through the Duchy of Fossalta. Luxian checks with Imilia if she wants the group to detour and visit her parents, but Imila demurs.

That evening, Sijam searches the Hermitage Bible for guidance about finding good information that will lead the adventurers to find the statue in Ambardyr, and finds a parable about seeking out a wise and knowledgeable teacher who shares their expertise with those who show respect. Sijam discusses the parable with Luxian, who suggests visiting a bookseller he knows in Helike who specialises in rare and unusual books.

They pass a herald with a horn standing beside three shields (one white, one red and one black) in front of a display of seventeen shields belonging to various knights. When asked, Giunta the Herald explains that his master, Sir Rene of Chauvency, has vowed to accept the challenge of any passing knight for a period of twelve months. Any knight wishing to make a challenge is to blow the horn, choose the shield for their preferred weapon (white for axe, red for sword, black for jousting), and return in seven days to duel Sir Rene. If the challenger loses the duel, they must give Sir Rene their shield and wear a locked golden bracelet. The twelve-month challenge ends in the middle of Vintage-Month, when Sir Rene will award the greatest challenger he faced on each weapon a golden weapon as their prize, while those Sir Rene defeated must return either to have their bracelet unlocked (and forfeit their shield) or return the unlocked bracelet to reclaim their shield, having found the one with the key to unlock the shackle on their honour. Zeno is very disappointed that he can't stay for a week to challenge Sir Rene, and sadly continues on with the others.

That evening, the adventurers say in a coastal fishing village by the bay. Late at night, Sijam and Luxian are disturbed by someone scratching quietly at their door. When Sijam investigates he finds Imilia outside, looking for her parents as she woke up alone without any servants and isn't sure where everyone is. Imilia believes she is five years old and doesn't recognise any of the adventurers. When they check her room, they find her window overlooking the bay is open. There is a strange filmy substance on the water near the shore under her window that dissipates when Luxian draws close while carrying the Hermitage Bible.

Sijam dives into the bay to see if he can find anything, without success. Hermione alarms Sijam by speaking directly to his mind, using an ability she gained at Colciego thanks to Fierce. Fierce insists that Sijam praise Hermione's new ability and "tell her it was good", but Sijam dissembles, unwilling to praise Hermione's newest arcane ability. Feodora returns with a fish, as she went exploring and an old fisherman coached her in using a fishing rod, but didn't see anything unusual while she was out.

Neither Luxian nor Theresa are able to restore Imilia's memories using arcane sorcery so Theresa takes Imila to her room, where she tucks her in with Pauline and sings her to sleep with lullabies. Sijam reads the Hermitage Bible for guidance about how to restore Imilia to herself, and finds examples of healing the sick through prayer and the intercession of a holy person. Luxian uses his wax tablet to send a message to Master Federigo about the situation, strategically leaving out the detail that Imilia is the person affected. Luxian: "Someone was attacked and lost their memory. I tried to dispel magic, but it had no effect. We found some slime by the ocean. Could be the work of some kind of creature. We may need advice to fix this."

In the morning, Theresa uses an arcane ritual to give herself and anyone else who is willing to undergo the experience the ability to breathe water. Luxian accepts the offer but the others do not.

The adventurers travel around the southwestern end of the bay and start heading eastwards along the coast road.

In the morning, Theresa once again uses an arcane ritual to give herself and Luxian the ability to breathe water.

The adventurers travel along the coast road, passing the point where they left the coast road for the road to the mountain pass to Kevland in the initial stages of the Journey of a Thousand Leagues, and travel around the southernmost part of the bay.

The adventurers travel along the coast road as it starts turning northwards towards Kaxos.

While buying food for lunch at a village market, Feodora notices the fisherman she met late at night watching from an alley that leads to the shore. The fisherman turns and leaves while Feodora is trying to point him out to Luxian, who goes with Feodora to investigate. Hermione notices them leaving and alers the others, who start to trail after Hermione.

Feodora and Luxian go through the alley to the shore, where they are confronted by the fisherman and his bearded friend. There is strange filmy substance on the water near the shore. The fisherman gives Luxian permission to call him Khwarra and his friend Tishtar, and tells Luxian they have a contract signed in blood from Mayauel to recover the Hatuli. Tishtar holds up the contact for Luxian and Feodora to see, demonstrated he has unusually long arms when doing so.

Luxian negotiates his own contact to hand over the Hatuli without violence in exchange for the delivery "in due course" of an undamaged and legible first edition copy of My Journey to the West by Niccolo Wissenstein. Theresa is deeply concerned by Luxian's willingness to negotiate without using precise and exacting language, and Khwarra chides her that "we aren't elves" while having Luxian trace over the wording of the contract with his own blood. With the contract signed, Luxian returns to the wagon, collects the Hatuli, and hands it over to Khwarra for delivery to Mayauel.

That evening, Mayauel's anger returns to attack Luxian once again, and is once again driven away through the World of Spirits by Theresa's arcane power. Luxian is keen to let Mayauel know the Hatuli will be returned to her and approaches Wesley while he is having his evening lesson with Master Eddas to find out if Wesley knows how to summon Dormita. Master Eddas knows how to do that and tells Luxian to return before the sun rises, after he has finished teaching Wesley that arcane secret.

Imilia, Luxian and Theresa assemble before dawn in their black robes and return to Armand's room, which Armand has steadfastly guarded all night. Inside, Wesley and Master Eddas are both sky-clad: Theresa finds Wesley's hairy body a disturbing relevation. Wesley sets out the candles according to Master Eddas' instructions and uses sorcery to call Dormita to the room through the World of Spirits to answer their questions. Dormita agrees to let Mayauel know that the Hatuli is being returned by Khwarra and Tishtar. Luxian asks Dormita why she's interested in him and the other members of the Five, and Dormita replies that their dreams call to her. Before Dormita departs, Imilia asks her if she can teach others how to visit and control people's dreams, and Dormita confirms she can.

After Dormita leaves through the World of Spirits, Wesley dresses and stays in Armand's room for a catnap while the others return to their own rooms and change out of their black robes.

The adventurers continue to travel north along the coast road while Wesley and Armand both uncharacteristically doze in the wagon. As they travel the adventurers see Khwarra waiting for them up ahead, lounging on the ground beside the road. Khwarra gets to his feet as they approach and tells Luxian they have the book he asked for. Tishtar appears unexpectedly on the other side of the road, holding the book out to Luxian with one of his unusually long arms. Their work completed, Khwarra and Tishtar both disappear. Luxian passes the book to Sijam, who confirms it is a first edition copy of My Journey to the West by Niccolo Wissenstein. Sijam examines the page that was stolen from the book at the Pontifical Library by the other adventurers and confirms that the drawings are of half a dozen statues of pagan household deities.

The adventurers arrive at Kaxos late in the afternoon. Espin of Clyster meets them as they travel through the streets to Master Federigo's fortified house. Espin to Luxian: "You're late!" When they arrive at the house, the adventurers are welcomed by Farrukh, Goduku and Master Federigo. Master Federigo and Master Eddas talk privately while the others mingle, eat dinner and discuss what to do after Zeno and Martina visit Phocas tomorrow.

The discussion drifts to cover what each of them wants to learn next. Initially, the answers are relatively straightforward: Zeno wants to be fleeter of foot, Theresa wants to be able to cast spells without speaking or singing, Hermione wants to learn more about empowering mundane items with arcane power and Luxian wants to learn how to create permanent arcane items. In contrast, Martina wants to learn if her parents really did die in an accident, which prompts Luxian to share that he wants to learn why the Five are special. Lady Barleigh is asked what she wants to learn and volunteers that she wants to know if it's true that giants can sail a ship to the sun.

During the conversation Espin goes on his own to a balcony, where he is joined by Feodora. Espin returns briefly to collect two glasses of wine but is not seen again for a while. Martina grows concerned that they haven't returned and discovers the balcony is empty. Espin and Feodora eventually return and Feodora explains Espin introduced her to the gargoyles on the roof after he found her climbing up the wall from the balcony. Feodora is sternly warned against breaking into a sorcerer's home: when Feodora protests she's not a thief, Theresa points out the arcane wards can't tell her intent.

The adventurers plan to accompany Zeno and Martina when they call on Phocas after morning mass. Wesley tells Hermione that Master Eddas has told him he can invite one person to tonight's meeting of the Tirynian Circle, and while Master Eddas wasn't pleased when Wesley replied that he would invite her, Master Eddas didn't tell him not to.

Luxian stays behind when the others leave at Master Federigo's command and is tested on his arcane skills and knowledge. Satisfied, Master Federigo tells Luxian that he has asked Master Dioneo Pettarcha to nominate him for consideration as a potential magister at tonight's meeting of the Tirynian Circle, the first step on Luxian's journey to eventually becoming a master in his own right.

After attending church the adventurers go to Phocas' mansion, where they meet with his steward and Zeno and Martina's cousin, Ruffina of Elea. Ruffina advises that Phocas left several weeks ago for Criggen in Duneld Across the Water, taking with him 100 pounds of donations to assist the refugees of Old Duneld. While angry, Martina and Zeno both stop Theresa and Hermione's attempts to pressure Ruffina to return the 80 pounds "donated" by Martina. Instead, they accept Ruffina's offer to send a letter to Phocas, who Zeno pointedly calls "Master Phocas".

Concerned by Zeno and Martina's mood and the hostility of their friends, Ruffina takes Zeno aside to walk together and talk more privately. While they are gone, Theresa offers to bewitch Ruffina for Martina. Theresa: "Do you want repayment in gold or blood?" Ruffina doesn't attempt to persuade Zeno not to confront Phocas, instead warning him that he shouldn't expect help from the Head of the Company of Elea, Phocas' father Maximos, and should instead look for support from the Master of the Order of Saint Cornelius, Ursinos of Elea.

After they leave Phocas' mansion, Martina's anger boils over and she shares that while she's upset with Phocas for taking her savings to send Zeno a warning, she's used to him and the steward he assigned to manage her estate exploiting her inheritance and is more upset with Phocas for the shame of being too poor to travel on horseback like a knight should. Zeno offers to help Martina by buying a horse for her to ride, but she feels it would be a poor investment when they're about to travel by ship across the Coradian Sea. Theresa asks Martina what she can do to help and Martina replies that finding out if Phocas was involved in her parents' deaths would be most helpful. Theresa hugs Martina, starting a cascade that culminates in a group hug. Sijam tries to remain aloof but is physically dragged in by Theresa.

As they return to Master Federigo's mansion, Feodora mentions that she's been invited to the meeting of the Tirynian Circle that evening by Espin of Clyster. Theresa is suspicious, as only journeymen are allowed to invite a guest to meetings and Espin is still an apprentice, and warns Feodora to be careful. Theresa (explaining to Zeno): "He's just as likely to want to use her in a ritual as seduce her." Feodora explains that Master Federigo invited her and guesses that maybe he wanted to celebrate her recent birthday. Feodora isn't fussed about celebrating her birthday, as it's the first one without her father, but the others promise to give her gifts regardless.

When they arrive Master Federigo summons Theresa to meet with him. Theresa lets Sijam borrow the Hermitage Bible before going to the meeting, where Master Federigo tells Theresa that he has asked Master Pampinea to nominate her for consideration as a potential magister at tonight's meeting. Theresa invites Zeno to go to the meeting as her guest.

Sijam looks for guidance in the Hermitage Bible about the possibility that Martina's parents were murdered by a person they knew well, and opens the Bible to a passage about the death of a king at the hands of one of their generals.

That evening, all the adventurers except Martina accompany Master Federigo and his other apprentices to the meeting of the Tirynian Circle. Wesley goes with them, carrying the reliquary containing Master Eddas. Martina stays behind at Master Federigo's mansion with Lady Barleigh and the others' servants (Armand, Hopkins and Pauline).

The adventurers go inside the gate and walk through the gardens surrounding the headquarters of the Tirynian Circle. Master Federigo warns Feodora not to go into gardens and disturb the mandrake plants, and she stays on the path with the others. Hermione summons Fierce, who is very concerned at where they are and unhappily stays with Hermione when she refuses to leave despite his admonishments and entreaties.

They go through the entry hall into the grand room where the other Magisters and their guests are already mingling. Feodora quickly slips away to explore the side rooms, trailed by Espin, while Luxian and Theresa call on their sponsors, Masters Dioneo Pettarcha and Pampinea respectively.

Hermione finds Feodora and Espin in a side room with an arcane being trapped in a bird cage. Shenda alternately between promises of great rewards for whoever can free her from the cage and dire threats of what will happen to everyone when she has her freedom. Espin explains that the Magister who crafted the bird cage passed away three centuries ago, and nobody knows the secret of releasing Shenda. Hermione takes Feodora back to the grand room, where Feodora takes Zeno and Sijam to see the Kattar automata in another side room that plays chess. Both men quickly lose against the automata, which dispassionately explains their mistakes while they play, greatly annoying Zeno.

Master Pampinea nominates Theresa to the assembled Magisters for consideration as a potential magister, and one by one they go to the designated side room to cast their votes. Wesley accompanies Master Eddas to be his hands for the vote.

Theresa mingles with the Magisters, while Zeno offers to assist her as best he can. Zeno: "I would like to say things in your favour when people talk of voting but I suspect it will have the opposite effect?" Theresa: "They're already voting - we didn't have as much time to mingle as I'd hoped. I don't think complimenting me would be a bad thing ..." The bowl of spherical tokens is brought into the great hall and tipped out onto a table: Theresa is pleased when all the tokens are white and roll into a single triangular stack.

After the vote, various Magisters congratulate Theresa. Master Bezrukov the Petkenak compares Theresa's beauty to that of Yara, the missing elven servant of his dead colleague, Master Shivnar. Bezrukov has been looking for Yara, and asks Theresa if she's heard of her. Theresa notices the part-elven woman standing with a towering Mercanian man is paying close attention to their conversation, and the woman relaxes when Theresa replies that she doesn't know anything about an elf named Yara.

Sijam also mingles with the Magisters, asking them about the drawings of the pagan household deities in My Journey to the West. Master Bezrukov recognises one of the drawings of the household gods as Sogomombar-kan, while Master Shawar ibn Marwan al Asad suggests that Sijam visit Opalar to consult with learned scholars who are familiar with the pagan gods of the Kadikai khanate. Master Kanthirava Narasaraja of Batubatan is not familiar with the pagan gods of the Khanates but talks at length about the oldest understanding of the True Faith, the Aujuna understanding discovered by Duryadhi the Revealer while she was in mourning for her husband on the mountain Ardamana ("the Navel of the World").

While mingling, Theresa makes sure to talk with the part-elven woman, Arene Cilarelis, who introduces Theresa to her husband Agarathar, and her friend Master Andolyn Mohan. Theresa is delighted to learn that Andolyn is married to the famous Teranian chef Gendrew Fliege, and her excited and animated conversation draws Hermione's attention. Hermione: "What's up?" Theresa: "She doesn't know the recipe for the gingerbread men!! Let him know I'll trade my recipe for mermaid's tail! You'll never taste a finer, more succulent meat!" Theresa is desperate to learn Gendrew's cheese souffle recipe: "Mine just have a fluffy light texture, not a clouds texture!" In time, Theresa squashes down her enthusiasm for cooking and resumes mingling with other Magisters.

Master Dioneo nominates Luxian to the assembled Magisters for consideration as a potential magister. While the others vote, Zeno finds himself in an unsatisfying discussion with Master Dioneo, who argues that logically Arda will eventually be empty of mortal souls if the True God is all-loving because it would be cruel to force mortal souls into an existence that contains suffering. Wesley seems troubled when he returns from the side hall with Master Eddas.

The bowl of spherical tokens is once again brought into the great hall and tipped out onto a table. This time, much to Master Federigo's displeasure, there is a single black sphere sitting alongside the triangular stack of white spheres, indicating one of the Magisters has concerns about Luxian's readiness to continue on the journey to becoming a master in his own right.

The guests quietly discuss the outcome of Luxian's vote as they continue to mingle and socialise. Feodora eventually returns with Espin, rejoins the others in the great hall and learns the news. Feodora (defensively): "I wasn't anywhere, and people were with me."

In time, the adventurers depart with Master Federigo and return to his mansion, where Martina is waiting up for them. When they arrive, Master Federigo immediately takes Luxian and his apprentices aside to discuss the vote and what Luxian is to do next.

Martina tells Theresa that Ardreth came looking for her while they were out and she went out into the grounds to meet with him. Martina warns Theresa that Ardreth seemed angry that she hadn't already found the statue using the Hatuli. Martina doesn't want Theresa to go outside on her own to see if Ardreth is still there, but Theresa insists that she'll be fine and slips away through the World of Spirits to avoid an argument. Martina accepts Zeno's offer to go and check that Theresa is fine and stays inside with Hermione and Feodora.

Zeno finds Theresa alone in the grounds, as Ardreth seems to have left some time ago. Zeno: "I know that you're afraid he would use us against you." Theresa (concerned Ardreth may be listening): "I didn't say that!"

Theresa shares a laugh with Zeno about Master Eddas voting against Luxian because of past insults and going out of his way to involve Wesley in his petty vengeance. Zeno: "The utter prick, he killed someone without hands!" Theresa: "I know, right?" Zeno: "That's bad!" Theresa: "Oh, yes, it really is." (immediately stops laughing).

Inside, Hermione tells Martina she's being overprotective of Theresa and should leave her to make her own choices. Feodora points out that Hermione treats her the same way and that she's a youth just like Theresa. Hermione concedes the point and agrees to be less protective of Feodora going forward.

Theresa and Zeno return inside and the adventurers discuss the night's developments before retiring to sleep.

The adventurers farewell Master Federigo, his apprentices and Ralph. Master Federigo gives Luxian his fostering-day gift early, with instructions not to open it until the day.

The adventures go to the docks and board a ship crossing the Coradian Sea. Zeno and Theresa bring their horses with them while Ralph sets off for Kevland with the wagon and the spare horses.

The anniversary of Luxian's fostering-day. Luxian opens his gift from Master Federigo, but only tells Theresa about the arcane properties of the Ankh of Ausare.

The ship casts anchor some distance off shore from the island of the Hermitage. The adventurers row ashore, where Abbot Galena is waiting for their arrival with the other survivors of the attack while the newer members of their religious community continue their daily tasks. Abbot Galena was forewarned by the True God of Zeno's return and has a gift to give him after lunch, a plain meal that Theresa struggles to accept graciously.

After lunch, most of the adventurers accompany Wesley to examine the large black obelisk on the eastern hill while Abbot Galena accompanies Zeno, Martina, Hopkins and Pauline to the chapel to pray. There, Abbot Galena gives Zeno a woven lock of Saint Merel's hair to place back in his reliquary, as when she unwound the lock he left behind in their chapel to split it evenly there was sufficient hair for two full woven locks afterwards.

Wesley is delighted with the large black obelisk, talking at length while he examines it about the similarities and differences to the black obelisk in Navyn and the possibility of examining more Kaikuhuran obelisks in Opalar if they travel that far north. The seagull that was watching Sijam the last time they visited returns, and Sijam enlists Theresa's help in talking with it. Afer completing her arcane ritual, Theresa speaks with Virgil the seagull, who was once the familiar of a Kattar sorcerer who perished years ago in a shipwreck nearby. Theresa passes on Virgil's thanks to Sijam that they closed the rift empowered the undead Kattar from the shipwreck of the Tammeraut.

The adventurers return to the Hermitage when night falls. Theresa insists on taking over the cooking of dinner for the community. After dinner, everyone retires for the night to monastic cells, which the adventurers have to share in groups of two or three because there aren't enough for everyone to have one on their own. Pauline and Theresa quietly gossip about the Abbot's gift to Zeno and why Zeno would have left the lock of the Saint's hair behind.

Late at night, Sijam's sleep is troubled by muttering outside the window of the cell he is sharing with Luxian. When he goes to the window to look, Sijam is startled by Mayauel's anger, which has returned to attack Luxian once more. Theresa and Luxian find that their sorcery is less efffective than before, and the other adventurers have to battle for some time against Mayauel's anger. The battle becomes easier when the True God responds to Abbot Galena's prayers and fills the monastic cells with light as bright as day, Mayauel's anger eventually dissipates and returns to the World of Spirits.

The adventurers discuss this unexpected development, as they had thought returning the Hatuli would soothe Mayauel's anger. At Martina's suggestion they consult the Hermitage Bible for guidance about what Luxian should do, and the Bible opens to a parable about someone asking as a supplicant for forgiveness from someone they wronged and being forgiven. Sijam and Luxian keep the Hermitage Bible in their cell for the rest of the night.

The adventurers arrive at Sellasos, where Anna is hosting a visit by her father's steward. Jovan the Steward is interested in whether Lady Barleigh has any correspondence he can read on the Baron's behalf, as Alexios is currently at Legnano attending the court of the King of Asmuly to seek a resolution of some of his legal troubles. Lady Barleigh dissembles while Theresa stays quiet about the sealed letter from Roland that she has been guarding. The adventurers were planning to visit Legnano next on the way to Selentium, and Anna and Jovan both agree to accompany them back to Teleos and their waiting ship.

Jovan is currently being escorted by Sir Cosimo and Sir Zoran, who seeks out Sijam while he is catching up with the mute Sir Melissenos to find out if he's the same Kattar who visited last time or the time before that. Sir Zoran finds Sijam delightful and amusing. Sir Zoran: "Do you slap the illness out of people?" Sijam: "I can."

Theresa catches up privately with Anna about developments since they were last together, including what happened when Anna visited Adralestor's Hill for Mid-Summer's Eve. Theresa quietly warns Anna that Luxian has been regularly attacked by his enemies recently and arranges for Luxian to have a room near hers so she can assist in the event of trouble.

Late that evening, after everyone has settled in for the night, Anna, Theresa, Luxian and Hermione slip outside so Theresa can once again walk Anna's lands and strengthen the crops with fey sorcery. While they are out, Martina is roused from her sleep by a message from Theresa's master Ardreth, warning her that Theresa is in danger and summoning her outside to speak with him. Martina rouses Zeno, waking Sijam and drawing Feodora's attention in the process, then hurries outside to meet with Ardreth. Feodora: "Why am I the only one who gets in trouble for sneaking out at night?"

Meanwhile, Theresa and the others are accosted by red-haired elves, hunting at night on white fairy horses accompanied by white fairy hounds and harpies carrying nets. Theresa uses sorcery to give them all the power of flight, and Hermione is sent fleeing in terror through the sky back towards the castle when the lead hunter, Rathlond, blows his enchanted horn. Anna angrily tells off Rathlond and the other elves for hunting her sister while they are Adralestor's guests, and grudgingly leaves when Theresa persuades her to go and fetch help. The harpies trap Theresa in their nets and entrance her with their four-part harmonies while the hounds drag Luxian to the ground. One of the elves uses sorcery to stop time for Luxian, who is alone on the ground in the dark when time restarts.

The other adventurers are joined outside the castle by Hermione, then Anna, and finally Martina, who returns from meeting with Ardreth in a copse of trees. Martina relays Ardreth's warning that elves are planning to seize Theresa and take her back to her former master, Ninthalor.

The adventurers arm themselves and set off to rescue Theresa. Anna and Hermione lead them back to Luxian, who has also called Grund to him. Luxian cannot tell the others where the elves have gone with Theresa. Luxian: "Who knows how many haunts they have around here?" Zeno: "Sadly, only Theresa."

Anna goes on her own to Adralestor's Hill to complain about the behaviour of his guests while Zeno's prayers guide the adventurers through the night after Theresa.

The adventurers continue on into the woods, where they approach the marble ruins of an abandoned city of the Emphidian golden age. As they approach the ruins of an ancient amphitheatre they hear beautiful singing in four-part harmony, with the alto part doubled. The singing entrances Grund, Hermione, Luxian and Zeno, who all begin to walk towards the sound. Martina and Sijam try to restrain the others, while Feodora prioritises slapping the others in the face to make them snap out of it. Zeno only needs a single slap, while the others need more. Grund slips away from the others, who let him go rather than pursue him into what could be an ambush.

The adventurers cautiously follow Grund until they can see into the amphitheatre, where three of the four elves are waiting with their horses and hounds while Theresa accompanies the four harpies in song. A collection of night birds and forest animals have gathered to listen to the singing, and Grund joins them. Now appraised of the situation, the adventurers quickly make a plan. They split into two groups, with Feodora, Hermione, Sijam and Luxian sneaking around to the other side of the amphitheatre while Martina and Zeno stay in place. When in position, Sijam is to dash over and snatch Theresa away while Martina and Zeno noisily approach to distract the elves and buy the others time to escape with Theresa.

As they approach the far side of the amphitheatre, the adventurers pause to let an entranced werewolf walk past them to join the assembled listeners, then enact the plan. Sijam dashes over and snatches up Theresa, who remains entranced and continues to sing with the harpies. Luxian hurls one of the spheres of fireball at the harpies, who swarm him in response. An elf dressed in black silk interwoven with faint silvery threads ensnares Sijam and Theresa in webs, which burn away when Feodora gets another sphere of fireball from Luxian's backpack and hurls it near them. The flash of heat startles Theresa out of her entranced state.

Martina and Zeno loudly approach from the other side of the amphitheatre, singing battle hymns until one of the elves uses sorcery to send Zeno into the World of Spirits. The pack of fairy hounds attacks Martina and Sijam releases Theresa before running to Martina's aid. No longer entranced, the werewolf snatches up Theresa while Feodora picks up Luxian after the harpies bludgeon him into submission. Feodora runs off with Luxian despite his protests while Theresa uses her sorcery to persuade the werewolf to take her back to Sellasos. In response, the werewolf tells Theresa to "hold on", transforms into a large wolf beneath her and runs off into the night while Theresa clings to his back. They are quickly joined by half-a-dozen other werewolves who had presumably been searching from their missing comrade.

Luxian wriggles free of Feodora's grip and insists on going back to rescue Theresa and Zeno, much to Feodora's frustration. Feodora comes back with Luxian, but insists he has to make a plan so he doesn't just get captured. Luxian directs Grund to attack the increasingly wroth Rathlond, who has mounted his fairy horse and could potentially pursue Theresa's werewolf through the woods. In doing so, Grund gives Sijam the chance to withdraw, which he takes. Sijam encourages Martina to withdraw as well, but she refuses to abandon Zeno and insists to the other elves that she wants her friend back. The other elves seem unwilling to continue the battle and the sorcerer who dispatched Zeno to the World of Spirits recalls Zeno from the seemingly-inescapable maze he was trapped in. Reunited with Zeno, the adventurers carefully retreat into the woods and start making their way back to Sellasos.

While running through the fields, the werewolf pack is suddenly confronted by an armoured knight on an auroch, with Anna behind him on a pillion. The other werewolves scatter while Theresa's werewolf growls, ready to defend her from Adralestor. Theresa uses her sorcery to fly upwards into the sky, freeing the werewolf from her enchantment, and he quickly runs off after his companions. Anna is relieved to see Theresa is safe while Adralestor is pleased to see that his guests obeyed his instruction to release her unharmed. Anna dismounts, farewells Adralestor and leaves with Theresa.

The adventurers regroup at Sellasos. Theresa seems genuinely touched that she has friends who rescued her and is initially put out that her master didn't do anything to help until Martina explains that Ardreth gave her a warning.

After lunch, the adventurers set out for Teleos with Anna and her retinue (including Alexios and Sir Melissenos) as well as Jovan the Steward and his retinue (including Sir Cosimo and Sir Zoran). Jovan travels in a luxurious covered wagon and has Theresa keep him company while Martina rides Theresa's horse.

That evening, Luxian is once again attacked by Mayauel's anger. The other adventurers come to his aid and battle Mayauel's anger until it eventually dissipates and returns to the World of Spirits. Concerned that Mayauel's anger is harder to overcome each time it appears, Luxian explores options for reaching out to ask Mayauel to call back her anger.

The adventurers and their companions continue to travel towards Teleos. Theresa skilfully deflects Jovan's questions about last night's attack while they travel.

Late that evening, Luxian and Theresa go to Armand's room, where Wesley uses sorcery under Master Eddas' supervision to call Dormita to the room through the World of Spirits. Dormita assures Luxian that Mayauel is happy that he has returned the Hatuli and explains that Mayauel has no connection to her anger after she sent it to pursue Luxian. Luxian isn't sure how to stop the anger returning as fighting and apologising haven't stopped it returning. Dormita encourages him not to fight against the anger while trying to placate it.

Theresa avoids spending much time on the deck during the day, and retreats to her cabin with the Hermitage Bible after dolphins swim with and chase after the ship. Theresa: "I've heard they abduct women, I'm going below decks - I'm taking no chances!" Theresa decides to read the Bible for insight into what she should do to fulfil her Master's third mission, framing her question as a negotiation with the True God for her to get baptised after fulfiling her commitments to Ardreth. Theresa opens the Bible to a story about someone who is uncertain about what to do with their life going to a saint, who baptises them and gives them their purpose in life. Theresa: "Well that's very pushy - I need my answer first!"

During the night, the ship is becalmed, drifting slowly onwards towards Legnano with the prevailing currents.

In the morning, the ship drifts past the mostly submerged ruins of an ancient city from the Golden Age of Emphidor. Half an hour later, two merfolk hail the ship looking for Zeno. Demophon and Laodice have been sent by their priest, Waveskimmer the dolphin, to let Zeno know about the dark and mysterious presence that has taken up residence at a half-sunken pagan temple in the ruins, where it lures in those who come too close, influencing them to stay and transforming them into its servants.

The adventurers immediately set out to investigate the ruined temple. The merfolk talk with the adventurers while they row in a boat back towards the ruins, but will not accompany them into the ruins, which they avoided as dangerous even before the dark presence arrived. The adventurers identify the temple as originally belonging to the twin god Apellaios, and Theresa uses her sorcery to appear as Mary the bard before they make landfall.

The adventurers investigate the upper ruins of the temple complex, where they find fishmen and crab monsters singing and dancing around the tip of a black obelisk that looks like it runs all the way up through the mostly submerged temple. Theresa's sorcery allows her to understand their strange language as they sing to "the Dark Lord who rules the world and wears the crown".

The adventurers battle the fishmen and crab monsters, trying not to seriously injure them in case they're bewitched. Feodora finds a cache of weapons left behind by local pirates and takes a light crossbow, which she finds difficult to aim accurately. Luxian shatters the uppermost part of the black obelisk with his sorcery during the battle, which ends with the fishmen subdued or driven away and the crab monsters subdued.

Zeno's prayers transform one of the crab monsters back into a giant crab, proving that they have indeed been transformed by arcane sorcery. Theresa names the giant crab Snippy.

The adventurers descend into the ruins of the temple, searching through the chambers used by the local priates. The far door in the first room they explore is slightly ajar, and when Zeno pushes it open a bronze bucket filled with acidic gloop falls on his helmet and armour. Zeno quickly scrapes the gloop off his armour, and Feodora brings the bucket with her as they continue to explore. The adventurers pass through a dormitory room with moldy bedding to a room with a large pool, filled with more acidic gloop. Feodora refills the bucket while Theresa uses sorcery to summon a spectral hand that she uses to recover a bronze ring from the bottom of the pool.

Continuing on, the adventurers enter a large and half-flooded room where most of the floor steeply falls away below the sea level. Rising out of the water on the far side of the room is an oversized statue of a handsome nude Emphidian man with a cluster of tentacles where his head should be. They are confronted by a terrible arcane creature, with short, writhing mouth tentacles, a part of faceted walleyes bulging on either side of its head, a red chitinous body, large crab-like pincers, chicken-like legs and the tail of a fish. The monster claims to be the First Servant of the Dark Lord who rules the world while it battles the adventurers, trying to rend them with its pincers while vomiting acidic gloop at them. When the battle turns against it, the monster tries to escape but is unable to get away before it is struck down and killed, sinking into the deep water below.

Before going underwater to seek out the Dark Lord, the adventurers carefully search all the rooms behind them to make sure nothing is lurking that can ambush them or cut off their line of retreat. Under a bed in one room they find a moving pile of flesh with many eyes and mouths. Zeno prays to the True God for his mercy, and the pile of flesh miraculously separates back into half a dozen naked men. The local pirates awkwardly follow the directions of the adventurers, quickly dressing before being escorted to the surface, where they promise not to take the adventurer's rowboat and leave the temple to collect their own rowboat from a hidden cove.

The adventurers return to the half-flooded room, where Theresa conducts the ritual to give the others the ability to breathe underwater by holding them face-down in the water until they can't hold their breath any longer and inhale water. Everyone except for Luxian and Grund descend into the flooded ruins after tying a rope around Grund so he can help Zeno and Martina climb back up out of their water in their heavy suits of armour when they're ready to leave.

As they descend, the adventurers pass a large armoured shark that is too busy devouring the corpse of the First Servant to show any interest in them. Further down in the ruins of the main temple complex they are confronted by fish-like merfolk with smaller sharks. Theresa tricks the merfolk into letting them pass by claiming they have been summoned by the Dark Lord, and the merfolk give them directions through the ruined basilica to the temple below.

The adventurers take the steps down to the upper tier of the temple and decide to explore the side chambers before continuing down from what was once the upper balcony. They are ambushed by crab monsters in one chamber and kelp-covered warriors in another, subduing their transformed opponents both times.

After clearing out the side chambers, the adventurers return to the main stairway and swim down into the temple. They find a small army of fishmen, fish-like merfolk and crab monsters guarding the inner sanctum, and Theresa once again tricks them into letting the adventurers pass by claiming they have been summoned by the Dark Lord. As they raise the portcullis to let them through, the merfolk complain jealously about how lucky the adventurers are to have been called into the Dark Lord's presence.

Within the inner sanctum the adventurers find more fishmen dancing around a bloated fish-like monstrosity with a long tubular body. The Dark Lord is already aware of their presence and sends its worshippers against the intruders while it speaks directly into their minds. The Dark Lord is amused by what it learns of their greatest desires, commenting on how unusual it is that two of them share one in common, and tries to use their hopes and desires agaisnt them. Theresa briefly succumbs to the Dark Lord's bewitching commands, but quickly breaks free before Feodora has to slap her back to her senses. Theresa: "I already have a master, and it's not you!"

The adventurers initially struggle to resist the fishmen, and Theresa kills one of them with her sorcery while Hermione is recovering from its attack. The adventurers slowly gain the advantage against the Dark Lord and its servants, and the Dark Lord summons the other guards from the outer sanctum. Zeno holds down the portcullis to give Feodora the time she needs to disable the mechanism, and when the Dark Lord creates an internal wave in the inner sanctum that sweeps Zeno away, Martina takes his place. With the other guards locked out of the inner sanctum and unable to intervene, the adventurers finish overpowering the fishmen and turn their full attention against the Dark Lord until it is slain.

After the battle the adventurers search the inner sanctum and find the Dark Lord's Crown, a diadem shaped like multiple interlocking tentacles with a dark onyx gem at the front, which they take with them to store in Luxian's sack of cursed magic items. Feodora repairs the portcullis mechanism so Zeno and Martina can lift it up, and the adventurers escort the dazed and complaint former servants of the Dark Lord back to Luxian and Grund, and from there to the upper ruins.

The adventurers leave the former servants to mill around in the upper ruins while they row back out to rejoin Demophon and Laodice, who have been joined by other merfolk and dolphins, including Waveskimmer the priest. Zeno is blessed by the True God with the gift of speaking the language of dolphins so he can talk with Waveskimmer, who praises Zeno and his allies for their great deeds and assures him that everyone who has been ensorcelled by the Dark Lord will be restored by their faith in the True God. Waveskimmer leads the merfolk and dolphins into the ruins, singing a hymn in dolphin as they go, while the adventurers row back to their ship. When they are all aboard a strong favourable breeze quickly fills the sails, carrying the ship westwards once more.

The ship arrives at Legnano, capital of Asmuly, in the early afternoon. The adventurers decide to spend some time in the city before leaving with Anna, Alexios and Jovan for the nearby estate where Baron Dekanos is staying as a guest of one of his Asmulian allies. Feodora leaves to explore the city on her own while Martina frets but chooses to accompany Zeno to visit the Company of Elea. Zeno: "She'll get in less danger than us, Martina." Luxian (calling after them): "Don't get in more debt!" Hermione accompanies Theresa while she shops, Luxian goes to visit Professor Anselmo at the University of Legnano, and Sijam goes in search of a church where he can get a priest to bless a large nautilus shell as a gift for Theresa.

At the Company of Elea, Zeno and Martina meet his brother Spyridon, who is in Legnano with their father Parmenides and their younger sister Sophia to visit their brother Alexios at the court of the King of Legnano, where he is a household knight of Baron Gattilusio. Zeno is delighted at the opportunity to catch up with his family, but less pleased to learn that Phocas recently met with Parmenides before travelling on to Selentium, and that Phocas has arranged for Sophia to be introduced to Andronikos of Elea as a potential husband. Spyridon invites Zeno to bring his friends and stay with them at the Baron's estate, but happily settles for catching up with them at the court tomorrow.

Theresa and Hermione shop in the harbour market for spices until they draw the atttention of Sir Francesco the centaur, who checks if they are newly arrived visitors to the King's court. Sir Francesco guides them to the businesses of spice merchants and clockmakers so that they can make expensive purchases with less risk of drawing the attention of thieves and robbers.

Luxian talks with Profesor Anselmo about the ancient obelisks and pyramid tombs of Kaikuhuru. Professor Anselmo counsels Luxian about how best to obtain a licence in Opalar to explore a tomb, and that the licence for a previously looted tomb is significantly cheaper than the licence for an unlooted tomb. He also shares that expeditions are being organised to investigate reports of Kaikuhuru tombs in the Cosh Goyope.

Sijam visits the Church of Saint Galwain, where the deacon who meets him assumes he's a recently arrrived Kattar traveller and fetches a Kattar priest. The priest blesses Sijam's nautilus shell, counsels him about the best route for travelling on pilgrimage to Selentium, and gives him the badge of Saint Galwain, whose symbol is also a nautilus shell. Sijam is too polite to correct the priest's assumptions and meekly accepts his directions.

The adventurers regroup with Anna, Alexios and Jovan at the agreed time for the trip out of the city to Baron Dekanos' residence. Jovan has a newly acquired and even more luxurious covered wagon. Before they start their journey, Sijam gifts Theresa the blessed nautilus shell and explains to the others that he's now travelling to Selentium on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Galwain.

The journey takes more than an hour, and they arrive late in the afternoon. Griffo the jester meets them outside and capers for their entertainment until Baron Dekanos arrives, escorted by Sir Lorenza of Noratu and several other household knights. The Baron greets Anna first, then Theresa, and finally Alexios, who he fusses over the most. Theresa hands over the letter from King Roland and is disappointed that Baron Dekanos takes Jovan with him to read it in private and discuss the contents. Theresa dispatches Feodora to spy on their conversation.

Feodora returns and reports back to Theresa and the others that the Baron and Jovan discussed Roland's interest in the Baron legitimating Theresa and made plans to increase the asking-price from 2,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds or more now that Roland is the King of Kevland and to send Jovan directly to Kevland to expedite the negotiations. Lady Barleigh listens as the adventurers discuss this news and Theresa plans to try and influence her father to lower the asking-price. When asked any questions about the situation Lady Barleigh's only response is, "I can't say."

Theresa to Luxian: "Du ... King Roland thinks I'm worth at least two thousand pounds. That's nice, don't you think?! I really am worth five thousand pounds by now though. But I'd rather my father got less and my future husband keep more." Luxian: "You've grown well since you were traded for some horse. You're definitely worth more than that." Theresa: "A clockwork horse. I believe it was worth around two or three thousand."

After breakfast, the adventurers travel with Baron Dekanos and his retinue to the palace of the King of Asmuly. Zeno is reunited at the court with his father Parmenides and his siblings Sir Alexios, Spyridon and Sophia, and also meets his sister-in-law Theresa for the first time. Feodora takes Sophia away with her to explore while Parmenides talks with Zeno about his recent meeting with Phocas. Phocas has taken Zeno's nephew Orestis into his service as a page and has arranged a potential marriage between Sophia and Andronikos.

Theresa points out Sir Francesco the centaur to the others. Lady Juana Doukainas spots the adventurers and comes over to talk with Theresa and Hermione about Sir Anthimos and his squire Miguel, who are both still in Duneld. When she learns that they will travel on to Selentium, Lady Juana invites them to stay at her estate.

Hermione hopes to talk with a dwarf she sees at the court about clocks and machines, but isn't confident about introducing herself to him. Luxian steps in, introduces himself to Aksel the master clockmaker, and then brings over his friend Hermione to introduce her to him. Aksel is initially hostile towards Hermione because of her draconic eye, as he is a veteran of the Great War, but warms up when the conversation shifts to his area of expertise.

Sir Piero arrives at the court and is delighted to see his friend's beautiful daughter Anna and meet his even more beautiful daughter Theresa. Baron Dekanos quickly steps in to shut down any flirtatious conversation and takes Sir Piero away for his report about developments in Emphidor. Theresa: "Sijam, dear, go see if you can eavesdrop on my father."

When Sijam goes to eavesdrop, he bumps into Feodora and Sophia doing the same thing. They listen as Sir Piero tells Baron Dekanos about his efforts to deal with his disloyal vassals and their petitions and claims. Sir Piero mostly seems to act through various nefarious schemes, including forcing someone to answer his questions by trapping them in a crypt with a vampire, then leaving them with a stake to try and defend themselves. Sijam and Feodora sneak away with Sophia and report back to Theresa and the others: Martina also shares what she has learned about the Baron's ongoing difficulties with his vassals, who have mostly been forced to accept his rulership by violence and treachery and therefore constantly look for ways to break the oaths of fealty he imposed on them.

Before they leave the King's Court, Zeno arranges for his family to visit Baron Dekanos' residence tomorrow.

Late in the evening, Martina wakes from a troubling dream. She rouses Theresa and warns her that her master is very angry about her lack of progress. Martina seems deeply shaken, but refuses to let Theresa lend her the Hermitage Bible as it prevents Theresa's master entering her dreams. Theresa invites Martina to sleep with her so that the Hermitage Bible protects both of them (plus Pauline).

At breakfast, Martina is still visibly disturbed at the recollection of last night's dream. The adventurers agree that Theresa needs to make demonstrable progress on her quest before contacting her master, and plan to leave Legnano for Selentium tomorrow.

Zeno's family visit for the day as planned. Zeno talks at length to his father about Phocas, while Sophia asks Hermione about Andronikos. In return, Zeno's family ask about Lady Ostara.

That evening, the adventurers have dinner with Baron Dekanos before retiring for the evening. Sijam's attention to drawn to tapping on his bedroom evening and goes to investigate. When he opens the window, Sijam is confronted by a cockatrice in a cage lowered from the roof. The gaze and breath of the cockatrice slowly turn Sijam to stone. When the others come to investigate Sijam's cries for help, they find a statue of Sijam in front of an empty window.

The adventurers look for clues about what happened to Sijam. Hermione uses Fierce's gift to speak directly inside Sijam's mind, learning that he is still conscious while a statue. Sijam's explanation of what he saw guides the adventurers to the roof, where they find evidence that a winch had been attached to the roof's edge to lower the cockatrice's cage. Hermione also finds a small strand of carpet thread that has torn off on an edge.

Unable to restore Sijam through their own efforts, the adventurers plan to take turns staying up and guarding Sijam through the night in case the cockatrice's owner returns.

Baron Dekanos checks on Sijam and the adventurers, but seems more concerned at the potential risk to his son Alexios than to the adventurers or his daughters.

While guarding Sijam during the early hours of the morning, Zeno presses Martina for more details about her troubling dream, and learns that Theresa's master flayed Martina in the dream. Martina is determined to protect Theresa from her master's wrathful anger, which is why she insists Theresa keeps the Hermitage Bible with her when she sleeps. Zeno: "I understand I'm not the brightest in the family, but is there a solution in which no-one gets flayed?" Zeno gives Martina the Reliquary of Saint Merel to wear for additional protection against Theresa's master.

Luxian takes over the watch for the final hours before dawn. When he hears a quiet tapping at the window, Luxian keeps his back to the window and uses his sorcery to alert the others. The adventurers prepare for trouble only to discover that the person knocking on the window is Feodora, who went exploring outside and wanted to report that the guards on the rooftop aren't keeping a good watch.

Shortly before Zeno's family arrives to farewell the adventurers for their planned departure to Selenium, Martina reports to the others that the Baron's servants have suggested a nearby saint, Helena of Hudristania, may be able to restore Sijam. Rather than carry Sijam to her monastery, Zeno, Martina, Theresa, Hermione, Spyridon and Sophia ride there while Luxian and Feodora stay behind to guard Sijam.

When they arrive, Helena of Hudristania is weeding in the fields with other monks and nuns. After explaining the situation to her, Helena spits on some dirt to moisten it, shapes it into a ball of mud, and gives it to Zeno with instructions to coat Sijam with it. In gratitude, the adventurers stay to assist with weeding the crops to show their gratitude.

While the others are gone, Feodora questions Luxian about Andronikos, as Zeno has asked her to give Sophia a full and honest summary about Andronikos but she's never met him. Their watch is interrupted by visits, first by Sir Piero, and later by Sir Francesco.

The adventurers return with the ball of mud. They smear it over Sijam, coating him with some of the mud, which hardens around him like a shell. Sijam breaks free of the shell, miraculously restored to flesh and blood. Very hungry after his long fast, Sijam wraps the remaining ball of mud in cloth and packs it into his medicinal kit before going with the others for a late lunch.

During the afernoon, Zeno consults with Spyridon about what he should about Phocas. Spyridon counsels Zeno against rashly confronting Phocas and agrees to accompany Zeno to Selentium. Luxian takes the opportunity to ask what Zeno was like when he was younger, while Zeno's family learn more about King Roland and the complexities of his relationship with Theresa. Zeno: "Theresa will marry a king or I'll throw him out a window." Feodora privately questions Theresa about Andronikos so that she can tell Sophia about him, and Theresa in turn tells Feodora not to sneak in on the others without announcing herself.

After dinner, the adventurers gather in Theresa's rooms so she can use her crystal ball to try and locate the carpet using the carpet thread Hermione found on the roof last night. Theresa succeeds in finding the carpet, which is flying through the night sky over mountains carrying a woman and several boxes. Theresa uses her sorcery to show the others an image of the woman, and Hopkins is called in to verify that it's Lady Newbury, the assassin who killed Gebhard in Asti. Hopkins: "It's dyed indelibry in my mind!"

While the others prepare for bed, Zeno takes Theresa aside to talk privately with her. Zeno tells Theresa in confidence about what her master did to Martina in the dream, but Theresa seems unwilling to believe her master would act like that, suggesting perhaps it was one of the other elves. Theresa: "He's a good master - not like the others."

The adventurers farewell Baron Dekanos, Anna and Alexios, but not Sir Piero, who left yesterday evening before dinner. Anna entrusts Sir Melissenos into their care, as she is travelling south to Kevland with Jovan the Steward and Lady Barleigh. The adventurers leave for Legnano with their new travelling companion, Zeno's brother Spyridon, where Armand hires a wagon for the three-day journey to Selentium. Zeno spends the day walking with Martina and Sijam, who is on a pilgrimage, while Theresa rides with Spyridon.

That evening, the adventurers stay in a pilgrim's hostel. Feodora pointedly stops at doorways and announces her presence before entering the others' rooms.

Late in the evening, Mayauel's anger once again attacks Luxian, who is enraged by its presence and easily provoked to wrath. The anger's presence also influences some of other adventurers, making Martina grumpy and snarky while provoking hostility from Sijam until he realises his behaviour is unwarranted and still his mind. Feodora also seems argumentative and contrary, but is jarred out of her distemper when Theresa insists that they're friends.

Zeno's prayers clear Luxian's mind, and he apologises unreservedly to the anger. Hermione intervenes to keep Luxian and the anger apart, and leaves after being asked not to intervene. Luxian continues to seek the anger's forgiveness, and it hugs him before dissipating. Martina regains her equanimity after the anger dissipates, but Feodora's attitude remains prickly.

After the others return to bed, Zeno and Feodora stay up drinking with Luxian until Feodora passes out.