Even as Kovinglass attempted to open a magical portal, a quick slicing sound filled the air. A long panel of tent fabric fluttered down.

A split second later, an arrow took Kovinglass through the throat.

The soldiers spread out. Some had shields, but they didn’t know who had fired the shot.

Brother Qown, familiar with Ninavis’s archery skills, had a better idea, but he saw no reason to educate them. As a soldier grabbed him by the elbow, Qown faked a stumble and fell, using his weight to throw both himself and the guard off balance.

Arrows penetrated both azhock and Yoran bodies in equal proportions. Qown heard shouts and the sound of fighting.

“If you want to do something right…,” Senera muttered.

Brother Qown had the terrified thought Senera might have more blue smoke.

But no. She’d opened her own gate to replace Kovinglass’s failed portal. Several azhock walls had fallen by this point, so she’d also done it in full view of a great many Joratese. Whether she’d be considered Blood of Joras or not, she’d just given a lot of credence to Janel’s story.

As Brother Qown stood, a soldier saw him and swung his sword. A passing swing, much like swatting a bug. Qown heard his agolé rip; the sword edge parted skin. He fell backward, in agonizing pain, bleeding.

Another soldier grabbed him. He felt himself hoisted up onto a shoulder.

Senera ushered her men through the portal, including the ones carrying Janel’s body. “Well?” she said to Sir Oreth. “Are you coming or not?”

Sir Oreth scowled at her, but a shout from outside the tent made him leap through the portal. The soldiers followed with Brother Qown. Finally, Senera retreated with her puppy, closing the gate behind her.

By the time the Markreev, the duke, and a band that included Ninavis and Sir Baramon entered the tent, it was empty.

Or rather, it was empty, save for the corpses of several guards, one Gatekeeper, and a single old woman.

PART III

WINTER’S CHILDREN

32: BY THE SEASIDE

Jorat Dominion, Quuros Empire. Three days since Kihrin wondered if he could take Gadrith by himself (answer: no)

Kihrin just stared at Dorna.

“What?” she said. “Oh, like you’ve never been dead before?” She raised her eyebrows while reaching for her drink.

Kihrin paused. “That … is a fair point.” And his own death had only happened a few days previously, no matter how long ago it seemed. “I forget sometimes how easy it is to pull off if you know the right people.”

“Everything is easier to pull off if you know the right people,” Dorna said gently.

“I’m just curious,” Kihrin said, “what do you have over the Markreev of Stavira?”

“I have wondered that myself,” Janel said.