He slid down Gorgrun’s wing onto the island, too caught up in the Thisbe and Fifer saga to spend much time worrying about traveling via volcano. He pulled the component out of his pocket again and looked at the note he’d barely started. His heart was heavy. Could he risk this? What would happen if he did? But also… what would happen if he didn’t reach out? Maybe, if Thisbe had really followed her dark side to the Revinir, he could be the one to stop the worst from happening.

He sat down in a quiet spot and pulled out the pencil, then continued where he’d left off.

Thisbe,

How could you do this? To me, and to all of us? Please reconsider. I’m devastated. I await your explanation while clinging to hope and love.

Rohan

The ground shivered. Sky shouted a warning and a reminder to everyone: “Be ready! Just a minute or two and we’ll all go down. Stick together if you can and aim for the first portal!”

Rohan quickly reread the note. His hands were sweating. Should he send it? Or not? Did he sound desperate? Afraid? Angry? He shouldn’t have said “love.”

The pencil had no eraser. As Rohan’s heart pounded faster and faster, the ground began to shake more and more. “Rohan!” Maiven called out. “Come join me, please.”

Rohan gripped the component and rushed toward Maiven just as the volcano shook again. He grabbed the queen by the hand and tried to take a few deep breaths. When the volcano began to descend, Rohan squeezed his eyes shut. He concentrated. And as water came up around his ankles, he whispered, “Send.”

A Major Wrinkle

Thisbe opened her room door and ran into her servant, who’d been newly assigned to her apartment to watch Thisbe’s every move. “Oh,” said Thisbe. “Hello. I’m ready to speak with the Revinir again.” She hesitated. “What is your name?”

The woman, whose eyes were glazed with mind control, didn’t answer. She went down the hallway and stopped, then turned and looked at Thisbe as if she expected her to follow. Thisbe hastily grabbed her wooden dagger, shoved it into her belt, and closed her door. Then she went after the servant, straightening her vest and double-checking her inner pocket. Everything was where it should be.

They returned to the ballroom, where several servants awaited instructions that might never come. Thisbe’s servant went out to the balcony to let the Revinir know that the girl had returned. The two came back inside.