She nodded.

“Karam, we don’t know how to row.”

“We don’t need to.”

“They’re rowboats,” Arjun said. “And I don’t even think these old things could handle the task.”

He stepped toward them and knocked one lightly with his foot.

“It would be two days’ journey at least.”

“You’re a Spiritcrafter,” Karam said to him. “With the help of your magic, you can harness the wind to propel us onward. We could do it in half the time and with half the effort.”

Arjun’s frown softened as he thought this over. Spiritcrafters could channel the weather, and if Arjun could help them move a train through the perilous waters of Ejm Voten, where nobody dared cross, and toward Dante Ashwood’s hidden isle, then he could push a rowboat over to the next city.

He looked to Karam, and for the first time in days, Arjun smiled.

“We’re not stuck here,” Karam said to him. “We’re going back.”

18

WESLEY

Wesley stood in the center of the tree house and peered down at the forest below, alight in green and the dim yellow glow of the lanterns. He could hear the trees singing, like a lullaby in the night.

“Enjoying the view?” Tavia asked. “You said you wanted updates, but if you just feel like sightseeing, let us know.”

Wesley gave her a sullen look. “Take it away,” he said, and gestured to the magical fire in the center of the room, where Saxony was currently warming her hands. “What have the new busker boss and Crafter Liege been up to while I was away?”

“I’ve stolen enough magic from the Rishiyat buskers to fuel our people,” Tavia said. “And now that we have Casim’s buskers with us, all that’s left is to wait for him to convince the other underbosses to help. Though now that you’re back, you could probably do a better job at rallying them.”

“And you?” Wesley asked, looking to Saxony.

She stood and sighed, to let him know that she didn’t like the thought of reporting to him.

“Tavia already told you that I summoned Crafter Lieges from across the realms,” Saxony said. “Most have already made their way here.”

“And when the others come, are they all going to be happy about you being Head Liege of all Lieges?” Wesley asked. “We need a united magical army for this to work.”

Saxony cleared her throat. “I’m not a Liege,” she said, and the way she looked down at the floor told Wesley that it wasn’t a choice she’d made for herself. “My amja is taking over Zekia’s duties for now.”

“Bullshit.”

Saxony’s head shot up. “Excuse me?”

“You have the experience,” Wesley said. “You fought against Ashwood and you took the initiative to summon the other Crafters. Why are you taking orders from anyone else?”

“Because that’s the way it is.”

“Until you say otherwise.”