Chapter 47

Over eleven days, Maevyth studies with Dolion and Allura, cooks with Magdah, teaches Rykaia to weave, trains with Zevander when he is not mysteriously summoned away, and sings to Branimir at night. Zevander grows more distant as Maevyth integrates with his household. Allura visits with tea and proposes using mind projection—sound-focused echolocation—to solve Maevyth’s stubborn puzzle box.

Guided by Allura, Maevyth visualizes a great tree and traces its pattern, unlocking the box. Inside is a carving of the Grymswood—a cursed tree housing a priestess’s soul—and a silver whistle with no audible note. When Maevyth blows it, a storm of ravens and a colossal feathered dragon with familiar crescent markings—Raivox—descends to her balcony, then vanishes when interrupted.

Rykaia bursts in, then whisks Maevyth to the dungeon and reveals her secret “cleaving” to travel through seams. She masks Maevyth’s mortal scent and alters both their faces before cleaving them to Costelwick’s main street. Amid stark inequality—spindling children in poverty and elites flaunting vivicantem—they shop for gowns and jewelry on a noble’s tab, planning to attend the princess’s masked Becoming despite the risk.

On their return, a miscleave leaves them far from Eidolon. Three fyredrakes give chase. With no way to call Zevander and Rykaia unable to cleave without a surface, Maevyth blows the whistle. Ravens descend, then Raivox lands, unleashing a silver blast that scatters the drakes. He accepts Maevyth’s reassurance toward Rykaia, then departs as swiftly as he came.

Shaken, they retrieve the dress and head back to the castle. Rykaia admits Zevander keeps the drakes to deter even worse intruders, underscoring the external dangers and the newfound utility of the whistle—and of Raivox—as Maevyth’s unexpected protector.