I wasn’t sure what island we’d stopped at, but the town was small, nearly engulfed by a thick rainforest on all sides. Mountains rose sharply from just beyond it, looming over the buildings like jagged teeth. Mist lay heavy over both mountains and forest. “Don’t wander off,” I said to Mephi as we walked into town. “This is a less populated place than you’re used to and I don’t know what sort of creatures live in the forest here.” I’d heard stories, and had even seen a trophy or two from some strange animal. Wasn’t keen on meeting one in the flesh.

I’d never been to this island, but I knew how to find the Ioph Carn. Their network was extensive. If there was an island in the Empire untouched by them, I hadn’t heard of it.

I wandered through the streets, stopping at one of the few stalls to purchase steamed fish in a black bean sauce for Mephi. He sat on his haunches to eat it, picking through it with his paws as though they were fingers. The vendor gave him a curious look and then cast me a raised eyebrow. I only shrugged and continued on my way. I didn’t owe him answers.

It took me only a little longer to find it. A doorway carved in an intricate pattern. But hidden in the pattern was a symbol. I glanced down the street and then, spotting none of Lin’s maidservants or guards, knocked softly on the door.

Footsteps creaked from inside. “Who is it?”

“Just a midnight songbird, looking for a roost.”

For a moment, I thought the password might have changed. I tightened my hand around my staff, wondering if the person behind the door was readying an attack. And then the door cracked open. A short old woman peered at me. It took her only a quick glance to assess me: my uniform, my staff, Mephi at my side.

“Jovis,” she said. “I’ve been told to expect you.”

“You… what?” There was no way Kaphra could have known I’d stop at this particular island and come looking for the Ioph Carn. She gestured me inside and I followed, a bit bemused.

She shut the door behind me. “Kaphra sent missives to all the islands. It came in two parts: one telling us you might come to us, and a second with instructions for you.” She went to the desk by her window, opened a drawer, opened a false bottom and pulled out a piece of parchment. I caught a glimpse of silver darts before she let the false bottom fall back into place. Not as defenseless as she looked then.

“Here.” She proffered the paper to me.

I was tapping my staff again unconsciously so I stilled my hand. “I never said what I was here for.”