43 West

Glorian enjoys a rare snowfall at West with her ladies, briefly escaping worries sparked by Sabran’s troubling dreams. A desperate rider arrives, and later Florell privately informs Glorian that wreckage from the Conviction and other royal ships—blackened by fire—has been found. Glorian denies the possibility, clinging to hope that her parents survived.

Overwhelmed by grief, Glorian collapses into mourning as snow deepens outside. She realizes only a wyrm could have incinerated ships at sea and suspects the Nameless One’s return. The court keeps the catastrophe secret, even as cries of loss ripple through the castle.

Summoned after two days, Glorian faces the Dukes Spiritual. Lady Gladwin confirms survival is unlikely but will light towers and recover remains if possible. The council cites the twelve-day grace law before the heir must inherit; nine days remain. They fear pretenders and the erosion of faith if fire is linked to the wrecks.

The council decides to suppress evidence of fire and hasten a controlled transition. Since Glorian is underage, Lord Robart will serve as Lord Protector until her eighteenth year. For security, the court will move at once to Werstuth and then by sea to the fortified capital, Ascalun, despite Glorian’s dread of the ocean that claimed her parents.