But Thisbe couldn’t leave here. Maiven needed her! And they had training to do. Plus there was no way to get home, unless Drock was somehow not under the Revinir’s influence and she could actually find him. And of course the Revinir would definitely find out if they left—would that cause even more trouble for Artimé in the long run? What would stop her from chasing after Thisbe again? Going back to Artimé just didn’t seem possible without causing even more problems.

Thisbe read the note a third time. While the request didn’t sound frantic, Florence was deadly serious, even though Florence had no idea what challenges Thisbe was facing at the moment. For all Florence knew, Thisbe could be back in the dungeon, and any false move could cause a series of disastrous events.

And what about Fifer and Seth and her other friends? Had anyone been hurt? Was Aaron okay? He was the one that the horrible Frieda Stubbs was after. Had she done something to him? Killed him? Was Florence just trying to get Thisbe to come home because she really needed to tell her that she’d lost someone else in her life?

The dilemma was so large it was painful. Thisbe dropped her head into her hands, conflicted.

Rohan popped into the room where Thisbe sat. “We’re getting some sword training now. I know you’ve had it in Artimé, but you’re welcome to—” He stopped when he saw that she didn’t lift her gaze. “Is everything okay?”

Thisbe shook her head and held the paper out to him. “Apparently they improved the seek spell, and Florence replied to mine with this note.”

Rohan came and knelt next to her and read it. “Oh dear,” he said when he finished. He turned it over and back and read it again. “That’s a blow, isn’t it.”

“A huge blow,” said Thisbe.

“I guess I didn’t realize until now how much I was counting on them coming to help us here.”

Thisbe nodded. “Me too. I just assumed they’d come when I called them. I mean, I knew they had some sticky things to work out, but Artimé doesn’t have civil wars! Artimé is the most wonderful place. It sounds like things just went completely bonkers.”

Rohan glanced sidelong at Thisbe and chewed his bottom lip, consternated. “What are you going to do?”