73 North

Dumai, guided by a powerful pull toward her “mirror sister,” flies Furtia across the Broken Corridor into the Northern summer’s dim daylight. Though the sky seems quiet here, Dumai knows the wider world burns under the wyrms. She resolves to follow the call, believing another stone might help hold back the enemy until the comet arrives.

As they traverse a pale, frozen plain, an unseen assailant strikes: a massive spear lodges in Furtia’s crest. With Furtia losing altitude, Dumai climbs forward to help, but the dragon scrapes the ground. Nikeya abandons safety to reach Dumai, and both fall into deep snow as Furtia staggers away toward the mountains to heal.

Assessing their situation, Nikeya reports a distant watchtower fire—likely a Northern signal. She warns that locals may mistake Furtia for a wyrm and that either Hróthi or North Hüran patrols could kill strangers. The pair aim for a nearby cave for shelter, but a horn sounds and a wyrm strafes the ridge with red fire, driving them inside.

In darkness, Dumai summons her inner white light, the same power she touched on Brhazat, guiding them deeper through narrow clefts to a dry chamber. Without blankets, Nikeya shivers violently; Dumai holds her for warmth while they exchange guarded truths about court, loss, and loyalty.

Pressed on trust, Dumai challenges Nikeya’s Kuposa ties and manipulations, citing the dollhouse gift to Suzumai as emblematic of her father’s control. Nikeya insists her place in her father’s schemes is complicated and promises to explain when they are not exhausted. For now, they cling to each other, determined to survive, reunite with Furtia in the high places, and continue north toward the source of Dumai’s summons.