Chapter 37

Jovie wakes to a wary camp and follows the food line despite hostile stares. Beau joins her, explaining an unusual aura-sight gift that perceives emotions and connections. Over breakfast, Beau says she saw Acker’s and Jovie’s auras merge the previous night, calling them fated, but stresses that bonds don’t dictate choices. Jovie admits frustration over lost agency; Beau urges focusing on decisions over feelings.

Rising commotion draws them south toward the border, where two riders under a white flag retreat to Roison. Acker informs Jovie, Beau, Hallis, and Rango that the envoy was Jorgen, father of Sven, who never returned after the tavern incident; Jorgen suspects a bounty drew Sven on their trail. Acker told Jorgen the truth and promises to return Sven’s remains, despite the risk of sending men across the border.

Acker reports rumors spreading in Roison that Kenta destroyed the Dark Forest to gain border access. Hallis argues troop movements are necessary for defense, while Beau warns of escalation. Acker anticipates Chryse sending forces and weighs scouting needs.

Messer arrives, looking reinvigorated, and volunteers to go—both to return Sven’s remains and to scout Roison—framing it as a step toward earning Acker’s trust. He pointedly tests Acker by casually gripping Jovie’s shoulders; Acker responds by assigning Messer to retrieve the carcass immediately from the Forest’s remains, before scavengers ruin it further.

Messer theatrically strips to spare his clothes the stench, earns Beau’s amusement, then shape-shifts into a bird and launches skyward, leaving soldiers unsettled by the eyun and Jovie and Beau sharing a wry acknowledgment of the camp’s fear.