The water knew, though—of course it knew, and it guided her with ease toward the heart of the Isles, where only the cleverest of ships could sail. Where only Nubrevnans dared risk the fickle seas and shallow shoals.

When she finally spotted Baile’s Blessing anchored in the hidden harbor of a crescent-shaped isle, the sun was just beginning its ascent. Golden light flickered against Vivia’s right side, and a warm figure leaned against her left: the Empress of Marstok, soaked by sea spray yet stiff and strong. She had her arms looped around Vivia, as if propping her for support. As if Vivia might have collapsed at any moment, and only Vaness’s iron spine kept her in place upon the dinghy.

It was as Vivia finally allowed the waters to slow—as the dinghy took a sudden lurching dip into the sea—that she realized she was about to collapse. Vaness was the only thing holding her upright.

“Thank you,” she tried to say, but words would not come. It was as if she had become the sea, and all she could do was bubble and froth.

Vaness seemed to understand, though, for she gripped Vivia more tightly and said, “Do not sink us just yet.” She lifted her voice next and shouted at the Blessing, at sailors now scurrying to the railing, “I have brought you your queen, Vivia Nihar. Help us. Please, help!”

Stix had never sprinted so fast in her life. Ryber was in danger, Ryber was in pain.

And Ryber was right. Kahina had returned after one day away, and now she was already back to claim what Stix had hidden from her.

Stix pounded through stone hallways, following the screams, always just out of sight, just out of reach. Until at last, she reached the wooden stall that led into the arena. She stumbled through, where she found the Ring had been drained, leaving a muddied basin that dipped down.

Kahina stood at the heart, watching Stix through half-lidded eyes, her pipe clutched between her teeth. No tobacco burned, no smoke puffed. Her hair was looser than usual, the tight curls free around her face, and her skin shimmering with sweat as if she too had just been running.

Though she was fifty paces away, Stix’s spectacles sharpened her, revealing a furious edge Stix had never seen before. This was not the Admiral who controlled the Ring. This was a Paladin thwarted.

“Where is Ryber?” Stix panted, stalking nearer. Mud squelched beneath her feet.

“Where are the blade and glass?” The jade around Kahina’s thumb flashed.

“I don’t know.”

“Wrong answer.”

The pain began.