50 East

Dumai, Kanifa, and Nikeya arrive in the Empire of the Twelve Lakes aboard Furtia Stormcaller and land at Black Lake Palace. Greeted by officials and the Minister of Ceremony, Dumai requests hospitality and an urgent audience. She seeks the alchemist Kiprun to understand the earth’s torment and the wyrm that rose in Sepul; she learns Kiprun is away but will return soon. Furtia hints only “fallen night” can stop the rising fire.

Resting in the former Seiikinese ambassador’s apartments, Dumai enters an interstice dream, speaking with a shadowed “sister” across distance. She warns this counterpart to be ready for a wyrm. Waking, Dumai prepares for a midnight audience. She allows Nikeya to tend her hair; their charged exchange reveals Nikeya’s past and a fainting spell from altitude sickness, which Dumai treats, before leaving her to rest.

At midnight, Dumai and Kanifa cross the Inner Shim to a water opera where Consort Jekhen receives her informally. Jekhen confirms Kiprun has been summoned and discusses whether to wake the Imperial Dragon, noting the danger Dumai faced in Sepul and the uncertainty of ancient tales of the Nameless One. Dumai argues the present crisis differs from legend and may demand bold action.

Princess Irebül, the Hüran heir resident at court, arrives with urgent news: the King of Hróth is dead, risking war in the North. She also reveals the return of the great dragon Nayimathun of the Deep Snows, delighting the court. Confronted with looming conflict and a newly awakened power, Jekhen signals the Empire may follow Dumai’s example in preparing its dragons for the threat.