Chapter Twenty-Three: Sylvia

In the mountain stronghold, the community responds to alarming news with a celebratory feast. Maia’s husband dances her through the hall; Lateef entertains children; Efra drums, and youths prepare food. Sylvia, unsettled by reports of troop surges in Omal and Essam, closed Orban routes, and Nizahli rearmament, questions the calm. Namsa frames celebration as defiance and confidence in a new plan.

Discussing threats, Sylvia worries about Nizahl’s commissioned weapons, but Namsa counters that magic cannot be forged. The talk shifts to the Mirayah: Namsa and Maia argue that ancient Essam-born magic can form hidden pockets like Ayume’s lingering corruption, suggesting such realms could evade detection—especially from someone once masked by cuffs. Sylvia concedes uncertainty and asks about departure.

Namsa schedules a departure in ten hours, proposing a five-day reach to Omal by a disconcerting method. When Maia lists many companions, Sylvia insists on a smaller group to avoid patrols, and Namsa agrees. Namsa hints at their unconventional transport, declining details.

Alone later, Sylvia examines her body and finds multiple new golden veins only she can see. She links each vein to recent magic uses: projecting to Arin, surviving the wreck, creating kitmers, and hurling Efra across the sea. Realizing the veins have multiplied, she panics, fearing a slide into magic-madness and loss of humanity like Rovial.

Pressed by the looming mission—convince Queen Hanan to reinstate her as Omal Heir or else raise the fortress using a deadly enchantment—Sylvia struggles to breathe and self-soothe. As she hides under a blanket, she feels magic pinch at the back of her skull; she throws off the cover just as her room vanishes, signaling the start of the team’s abrupt transport.