“It would,” Arthur said reluctantly, “except under no circumstances should you get that close to Baron Zeppler. And it’s not just me being overprotective; the world can’t let him have the secrets your mind holds.”

Rory narrowed his eyes. “This baron is making things real personal.”

“Yes,” Arthur agreed tightly. “He is.”

They caught the first morning train east out of Syracuse to Utica and then another train north, into the Adirondacks. Rory watched the forest out of the train window with wide eyes. He’d been lost in visions of the past when his dad had him shipped off to the asylum, and even after Mrs. Brodigan and her sister got him free, he’d been too weak to see much beyond the walls of his room.

But now he could see mountains, and trees with their first green leaves. Arthur told Rory they were going to a campsite where he, Jade, and Zhang had once opened the Tempest Ring.

Rory wondered if he was ready to follow Arthur anywhere he wanted to go.

Jade met them at the train station. “Zhang and the Ivanovs are setting up,” she explained quietly, as the three of them piled into the back of a taxi.

The weather was still cool in April, and the summer tourists and campers hadn’t yet gone into full swing. Their taxi was the only car on the road, and Arthur promised the driver double if he’d return to their campsite the following day.

They hiked off the trails, to a deserted part of the forest.

“Pavel’s already been working on the potion,” Jade said as they walked.

Rory swallowed. “Is he...”

Jade nodded sadly. “His magic rushed him the instant he took the lodestone off. But the lodestone was strong enough you were able to enthrall an entire ship. We’re all hoping it will be enough to pull him back.”

She paused in the middle of the trail. “We placed warding magic up ahead. We know from your ring it won’t contain a relic’s magic, but we’re hoping it helps. There’s no one else around for miles, though. Zhang is keeping an eye out.”

“No one to breathe in the pomander. Well, of course, except for us,” Arthur said, without enthusiasm.

Rory frowned, realizing whose name he hadn’t heard. “Ling isn’t here?”

Jade shook her head. “We opened the pomander at Niagara Falls and Arthur promptly vomited. We’re not sure it’s safe for someone without magic to even be around it.”

Rory’s eyes widened. “But then what about Ace?”

“I have your magic in my aura,” said Arthur. “Your relic-strengthened magic. Believe me, I’ve felt the difference. Your magic is protection.”

Rory frowned but let it go.