Chapter 56

At dawn after a violent storm in Alaha, Brynn confesses to Kai that she secretly broke a Kenta soldier out of the brig. She explains the captive swore a blood oath to Kai’s father not to reveal her identity and is convinced she is ignorant of magic and her bloodline. Believing he is the Kenta prince, Brynn intends to exploit his assumptions to be taken to land—and ultimately to the palace.

Kai warns that the prince is ruthless and that the sea crossing in a small fishing boat is deadly, but Brynn argues the rebellion is running out of options and supplies with the Market barred and fishing halted. She reasons that if people think the prince abducted her, panic could pressure Kai’s father to work with the Roison.

Shifting to strategy, they agree Dupre must be neutralized and that his death should be attributed to the prince. To erase suspicions of manipulation, Brynn proposes letting the prince witness Kai using his influence on her, leveraging the prince’s belief that Kai has coerced her affections.

They finalize the ruse: when the captive’s absence is discovered, Kai will lead the search in the grove and publicly exert his influence on Brynn to make her compliance undeniable, even to the famed metal slinger of Kenta. Kai admits his father’s favoritism may not protect him if the rebellion is exposed, and Brynn agrees to lower the shield he taught her to keep.

Despite the risks—including the possibility that the prince could kill her—Brynn commits to the plan, vowing to act if threatened. They part with Kai instructing her not to tell Messer, anticipating his explosive reaction.