77 North

Wulf wakes injured in the Járthfall outpost, fevered and bandaged, recalling Karlsten’s attack and the wyrm’s slaughter. Canthe introduces herself and Tunuva Melim, explaining Tunuva speaks little Inysh and that Thrit is keeping watch. Canthe reveals Tunuva is Wulf’s mother. Shocked and bitter over his abandonment, Wulf demands to know why he was left in Inys.

Through Canthe’s translation, Tunuva insists she does not know how Wulf reached Inys and believes he was abducted. Canthe notes they buried the Hróthi dead safely and that the plague does not take root in witches. She urges Wulf to come south to Lasia to learn his heritage and power. Torn between oath to Einlek and the need for truth, Wulf relents when Tunuva softly calls him by his birth name and agrees to go.

Days later, far from the glacier, Furtia Stormcaller collapses from a spear wound. Dumai and Nikeya work together to wrench the spear free, while Dumai fights off the invasive voice from her dreams, suspecting her pale dream-messenger was a wyrm spirit sent to mislead her. They discuss finding water so Furtia can heal.

When Nikeya produces the blue stone, she challenges Dumai for taking it from Tonra, calling it grave-goods. Stung, Dumai rebukes her, asserting Kanifa entrusted it to her. The dispute strains their fragile bond, and Dumai is left remorseful but resolute.

Dumai asks Furtia about the stone. Furtia communicates that the star shed it, that it drinks and binds from afar, has little power left, but sings to dragons. Furtia affirms it is of the star, as are she and Dumai, and that the stone will strengthen them and lead them back to the salt waters—home.