Unless youre lucky, you end up with a hole where your alchemical bench used to be, Greave said. Van Mers process involves initial immersion in water, and natrium explodes in water.

Hmm, Aldrin said with another nod. Finally, in the third year, how many sons did King Jurin have?

The third year? Greaves mind scrambled for an answer. Thats a trick question, he said at last. Youre hoping that someone will say that Jurin reigned in the sixtieth year of the two kingdoms being split.

Am I? Aldrin asked.

But in his fortieth year, he went mad. He declared that the world had to begin again, and he ordered the calendar reset. His sons rebelled against him, and he killed one in the second year of the war. So by the third year, he had two left.

Aldrin nodded. The questioning is complete. You may not enter.

What? It was what Greave was thinking, but it was Aurelle who said it, stepping past Greave. He answered your questions. He got them right, I take it?

Aldrin nodded. But what you seek also matters, and so does being a member of the House. You may not enter.

No, Greave said, all the air seeming to rush out of him at once. This… this wasnt fair. Of course, a hundred philosophers sprang to mind who could tell him that the world wasnt fair, but this… I came here to save my sister, he said. Tears stung his eyes. In that moment, he felt utterly broken. I

None of that matters, Aldrin said. He held up a hand. Step away now, or

Youll let us in, Aurelle said, stepping closer to the man. To Greaves shock, a knife seemed almost to spring into her hand, a slender thing that definitely wasnt for eating, just for killing. She pressed it to the scholars throat, starting to move him back toward the gate.

Greave couldnt contain his shock at that. Aurelle? What are you doing?

Something I shouldnt be doing, she said. Greave is a good man, trying to do a great thing. Hes traveled for days, fought monsters, to be here. Hes answered your stupid questions. Now let him

Bells sounded all around the city, interrupting Aurelle, making her step back from the scholar. He looked shocked, but it was hard to tell if that was because of her threat or because of the sounds of peeling chimes on every side.

People poured from buildings all around, some of them running toward the walls of the city, more of them heading toward the gates. They pushed at one another in panic, fighting as they tried to get clear.

What is it? Greave asked. Whats happening?

The bells, Aldrin said. They signal attack, but that… thats impossible!