Thirty-Three

Jessyn’s third passage through asymmetric space is unexpectedly calm. The Carryx largely ignore the humans, leaving them to socialize, play games, and befriend a penitent Hannic refugee they nickname Skipper. In private, Jessyn tends her glass-farm culture that steadies her mind and contemplates her scar and absent connections, especially Garral, imagining the diverging lives they might lead.

Arrival at the world-palace brings a warm, organized reception by Bastien Korham and Llian Andermus. Jessyn tours a dramatically improved human quarter: farms, a communal hall, a school in progress, and even cultural touchstones like murals and music notices. The space is Carryx-made but now distinctly human in spirit.

Inquiring after her brother, Jessyn learns from Korham that Tonner Freis died after losing his temper with “Lord Alkhor,” whose guard overreacted; the nickname betrays unease about power. Urgency to report what she knows sends Jessyn searching for Alkhor—Dafyd.

Jessyn crosses a guarded garden, mastering fear at the sight of alien protectors, and finds Dafyd conversing with a woman named Clae. Dafyd introduces Clae as a former colleague of Else, now joining protein reconciliation. Clae is emotional but aligned with Dafyd’s secret efforts; her presence and cadence strike Jessyn as oddly familiar.

Once alone with Dafyd, Jessyn confirms she trusts Clae and then shares her critical field discoveries. She aided the Carryx’s legendary foe by sabotaging ships and assassinating a Sinen overseer so the enemy could escape, sending Garral Pär with them to exchange knowledge while the Carryx presume him dead. Finally, she delivers the central revelation: the so-called deathless enemy is human.