Our drakes carry us down the path to the manor house and into the front yard. Prince Meilek waves away the servants who rush out to greet us. I lead the prince around the back of the manor to a narrow trickle of water that cuts through the property. The water isn’t safe to drink, but it’ll lead me to Spinner’s End. All I have to do is survive a full day in the Dead Wood. My stomach turns.

I rub my palms down Yandor’s neck. I don’t want to take him into the Dead Wood, but there’s no other choice. If the Falcon Warrior sees fit to protect us, I’m confident we can outrun the grasp of the trees. My connection to Saengo might be weak, but it’s still there. Although I don’t have the strength to grasp any living souls, I might have enough to fend off dead ones.

“You’re sure about this?” he asks.

“I have to try. Please look after Saengo. I’m trusting her to you.”

He reaches out, clasping my shoulder. “You have my word that I’ll take care of her. Good luck, Sirscha.”

“I’m going to need it.”

“We’ll see each other again. When this is over, we’ll go to Byrth. We’ll watch the ships make port, ride in a drake race, and eat sugared plum blossoms until we’re sick.”

I smile, and I’m glad that it’s too dark for him to see the sadness in it. I don’t have his capacity for hope; my victories have always been hard-won.

“May the Falcon Warrior protect you,” I say.

“May the Demon Crone guide you,” he replies, reciting the old prayer of the Five Sisters. I haven’t spoken it since childhood, but I join him now, and our voices murmur together in the dark: “May the Serpent Mother provide. May the Twins lend you favor. Carry with you the faith of the Sisters, and be blessed.”

I lift my hand in farewell and then guide Yandor toward the abyss of the Dead Wood. Yandor growls and backs away in objection. “Please, my friend. I need you to be brave. I wouldn’t ask this of you if it weren’t of the utmost importance.”

With an indignant shake and a few angry huffs, he lowers his head and charges into the embrace of the trees. I turn to see Prince Meilek vanish into the shadows of the property. I have to trust that Saengo will be okay, that the prince will do all within his ability to stop his sister from igniting war.

Then I face forward, focusing my full attention on the darkness that engulfs us. We head south, riding close along the right bank of the brook. The water is murky but allows for a narrow break in the branches overhead, providing enough moonlight to illuminate our path.