On the way from Dera Falls, Sora had talked intently with Hana about Tidepool, learning everything her sister knew about the ryuu. From that discussion, Sora had concluded two very important things: Tidepool was more practical than emotional, and she loved herself immensely. This meant she was definitely not a martyr. While Tidepool believed in the Dragon Prince’s pursuit of the Evermore, she wasn’t going to fall on her sword just in the name of honor.

“This is where Fairy comes in,” Sora said, pointing to her roommate, whose eyes lit up with anticipation. “I want you to poison Tidepool with something that would kill her if left unchecked but that could be held at bay if we gave her small doses of an antidote every few hours. Tidepool loves herself too much to let the poison simply take hold. I believe she’ll do our bidding if it means she can stay alive. Do you have something in your botanicals that can do this?”

Fairy was already unlatching the satchel at her belt. She grinned as she pulled out a small glass jar that clinked with what looked like tiny black, star-shaped candies inside. “This is abrinori. If left unchecked, it dissolves internal organs, beginning with the stomach, then working its way through the bloodstream to the intestines, the kidneys, and the heart. And this”—she held up a slender vial full of a viscous, bright yellow liquid—“is the antidote. One drop every two hours will counteract the abrinori. And I can concoct a permanent antidote if we wanted to cure Tidepool after we successfully get to all the kingdoms and return with their navies.”

“Perfect,” Sora said. “The team for the mainland journey will be you for coercion, Broomstick for force, and Empress Aki for diplomacy. You’ll have five days, which, with Tidepool’s powers, ought to give you enough time to cross the ocean, spend a day each in Brin, Caldan, and Fale Po Tair, and return to Kichona. Everyone on board?”

The three of them pounded fists over hearts.

Papa snarled. It caught everyone off guard, and they jumped back from him. But a moment later, Papa rubbed his eyes as if trying to wake from a strange dream. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what’s come over me.”

Daemon spoke up. “This is what’s happening to Kichona’s people with Zomuri’s gloom influencing them. Even the kindest men lash out. That’s another reason we have to kill Prince Gin soon and get Empress Aki back on the throne, so she can reinstate Sola as our patron god.”

Papa looked horrified. Hana hugged him and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll be yourself again soon. We’ll make sure of it.” He relaxed a little. Her word—even just her closeness—seemed to mean so much to him. Sora felt better about allowing Hana to join them.