Bleddyn’s eyes flick over me in cool assessment. “Well, you’re turning out to be a complete disaster. Like this whole situation.” She glances west, frowning. “Vogel’s ordered the Amaz off their land, did you know that? We just got word.”

Fear breaks like a wave, dread clutching at my throat as I think of Wynter and all the Amaz I met. “That’s how it started with the Lupines,” I warn, praying Kam Vin can get my warning to Amazakaraan in time.

Bleddyn gives me an intense look. “Yeah, well, the Gardnerians and Alfsigr are intent on driving everyone who is not them out of the Western Realm.” She glances toward the runic border. “That refugee camp on the other side of the border? It’s small compared to what’s coming.” She huffs. “Greater Isaan and Southern Ishkartaan are also walling themselves up.” She flicks her finger toward Noilaan’s border. “They’ve built one of those monstrous runic things. Everyone’s walling up, while everyone else runs for their lives or dies of the Grippe. That’s what the future looks like.”

“Until Vogel invades,” I say.

She nods. “And everyone over here is breaking into separate groups instead of coming together to fight him.” She turns and glares at Zosh Lyyo’s restaurant. “Those like Zosh Lyyo can bask in their ‘cultural superiority’ while the Gardnerians fly in and take over every last thing.” Her frown deepens. “This isn’t a time for division, but we lack a unifying principle. I fear our fragmentation is going to be the Eastern Realm’s downfall.”

“What do you think could bring everyone together?” I ask, surprised to be finding so much common ground.

Bleddyn seems to ponder this, her green brow furrowing. “At this point, I don’t know. But I think we better find that thing, and fast. ‘Noilaan for the Noi’ certainly won’t be able to fight what’s coming.” She eyes me. “The East is going to have to pool the magic of every single culture, whether the Noi Conclave wants to accept that or not.” She angles a finger at our Black Witch figurines and gives me a pointed look. “We’re also going to need every weapon we can find. Including this little witch here. And Fae power too.”

Her mention of Fae power brings a certain Fire Fae to mind. “Have you seen Iris?” I ask with some wariness. I can’t risk perpetually hostile Iris happening upon me.

Bleddyn tosses me a scowl, as if reading my concerns. “She’s well north of here, and won’t be seeking me out anytime soon. She’s become quite the Lasair zealot. She’s decided the Lasair Fae are superior to everyone else, so that’s put a pretty firm dent in our friendship.”

I give Bleddyn a look of amazement. Their friendship seemed forged in steel.