Trystan’s expression remains calm, but a torrent of lightning is crackling through his lines. “Ren, the Eastern Realm will be essentially defenseless if Vogel can dismantle Vu Trin runes. And the city would collapse. Much of Noilaan’s architecture is held up by dome-supported runes. And all the rune ships here, like this one...the water ships too...they’re all powered by the dome. That’s why they can’t stray far from the border.”

I hold my brother’s intense gaze. “Which is why you need to warn the Vu Trin and the Amaz. Immediately.”

We still for one tension-fraught moment, then Trystan nods, his aura of power steadying.

“How fast can Vogel’s forces get across the desert?” I ask.

Trystan draws in a breath, his jaw tensing. “A month, maybe two. So the Eastern forces might have time to gird the East against Mage attack.”

“The Shadow magic in Vogel’s wand... Chi Nam thought it originated from some type of primordial demonic power.”

Trystan seems to consider this. “If that’s the case, then Smaragdalfar varg runes might be of use against it. The Subland Elves developed those runes to fight the demons the Alfsigr use to control them.”

My worry is only partially assuaged. “Could the Gardnerians have more portals they can get here through?”

Trystan shakes his head. “The scorpios tipped the Vu Trin off to the existence of that one hidden portal. They cast a search-net over Noilaan and didn’t locate anymore. The portal was stolen from the Amaz. It was incapable of sending large numbers of people or beasts across such a vast distance.” He pauses and gives me a grave look. “Ren...it was the portal the Mages sent the assassin through who killed Yvan. I only just learned of it—”

“No. Yvan’s alive,” I emphatically counter. I tell him of the powerful Wyvernfire aura that seized hold of me when the scorpios attacked me and again when the kraken struck. “I felt him, Trystan. I know it was Yvan’s fire.”

“I don’t understand. How?”

An ache cuts through me, chafingly raw. “Yvan kissed me and gave me his Wyvernfire. He...bound himself to me in that way. But then we were separated... I don’t think the connection can be felt from far away. But when I portaled here...”

“You might be close enough,” Trystan finishes, realization starting to dawn.

“What were you told about Yvan’s ‘death’?”

He gives me a weighted look. “Kam Vin told me that he was killed by a glamoured wandmaster sent by Marcus Vogel. Ren, Vogel sent a spy to confirm Yvan’s death. Are you sure it was his fire you sensed?”