Chapter 10

Fleeing the Tower of Knowledge, Aris shows a stolen map marking the Beast Tree, where creatures can be claimed. Kira proposes a pact: vote on big choices, protect one another when possible, and cut loose anyone who endangers the group. Aris, Kira, and Zane seal it blade-to-blade and unanimously choose the Beast Tree over the safer route.

On an ancient, empty road, masked immortals (Masks) demand a “face” as road-toll for their god of journeys. When Aris plants her sword, a ruby-masked woman fails to lift it and is killed by an ally’s arrow. Chaos erupts; the gold-masked thief kills the green-masked archer, then corners Aris, until Zane beheads him. The trio take the heads to satisfy further tolls and press on toward Westwere at dusk.

At Westwere’s gate, a towering immortal lets them in just before sunset. Inside Xara’s inn, the armed patrons eye Aris’s sword but cannot lift it. A hooded mortal later catches Aris from falling down the stairs, taunts her, and leaves. Xara provides food and safety, confirms their map, and speaks candidly about the Beast Tree: heirs once leapt from its heights, surviving only if a rare creature chose to catch and bond with them; most now die.

Xara warns them to avoid forests and roads—the Masks will seek revenge—and to find shelter before sunset, as the God of Death’s demons emerge nightly and have slaughtered even immortals. She reveals her past as a knight with imprinted weapons and an enchanted, self-running inn. Trusting their cause, she lends them an enchanted boat and provisions, directing them to travel the river north through the night to approach the Beast Tree by day.