45 South

Moving by night to keep Ninuru safe, Tunuva pushes southeast through Lasia, troubled by harsh weather and dreams of Esbar. On Suttu’s Highway, Ninuru leads Tunuva to a dried lake where they find signs of Siyu and the baby, Lukiri, confirming the trail.

They reach Bujato on the River Gedunyu. In a sacred garden, an orchardist confirms a woman with a child and an ichneumon passed the previous evening, tired and with an unsettled infant. Pressed for time, Tunuva prepares to swim the river with Ninuru.

Canthe of Nurtha arrives unexpectedly, sent after Tunuva by Denag and Hidat. Though Tunuva rebukes her for leaving the Priory without sanction, Canthe argues her knowledge of Carmentum is essential and that Ninuru cannot enter the city. Tunuva relents, and Canthe mounts behind her as Ninuru swims them across the Gedunyu.

On the far shore, they enter the Valley of the Joyful Few, choosing a high, hidden cave to avoid pursuit. Supplies are scarce, and Tunuva shares food with Ninuru while Canthe claims she can subsist mostly on water due to her hawthorn-altered longevity.

As night chills the canyon, Tunuva explains Siyu’s flight and the history with Anyso, withholding only Hidat’s hand in Anyso’s death. They resolve to search Carmentum for Anyso’s baker family as a lead. Canthe recounts her travels, including to the East where many worship sea wyrms, and admits the siden’s fire fades without its fruit, leaving her vulnerable to cold.

With wind howling through the cursed valley, Tunuva invites Canthe to share warmth beside sleeping Ninuru. Their shared fears and revelations cement a tenuous alliance as they prepare to enter Carmentum and retrieve Siyu and Lukiri.