Chapter Eleven

Sylvia recovers from a terror in Essam Woods, realizing the decayed vision of Hanim was a conjured likeness by someone who knew Hanim’s death. As she debates whether Jasadi groups are truly dangerous, hoofbeats approach. Recognizing Arin’s presence would scare off her attacker, she flees toward the Hirun river.

At the cliffed riverbank, Sylvia climbs a tree to hide, discarding her boots. Arin arrives, preternaturally calm, and hurls knives, pinning and wounding her calf and arm while deducing her magic is blocked. Sylvia retaliates by striking his horse, but Arin anchors a rope and climbs a neighboring tree, methodically pressing her toward surrender.

Refusing capture, Sylvia threatens suicide, dangling over the cliff to deny Arin control. As her strength wanes from blood loss, Arin negotiates: he claims hundreds have disappeared across kingdoms, tied to two Jasadi factions—the Mufsids, who violently recruit or kill, and the Urabi, who abduct targets without a trace—both likely seeking Sylvia for her former status.

Arin reiterates his promise: if Sylvia completes his plan and wins the Alcalah as Nizahl’s Champion, she will gain freedom, with independent guards beyond his command. Skeptical but calculating the risks, Sylvia concedes she believes him. As she loses consciousness and slips, Arin lunges, and they collide, tumbling over the cliff’s edge.