Chapter 35

Over drinks at Aunt Morwenna’s, Kazhimyr, Torryn, Rykaia, Allura, and Ravezio discuss Captain Zivant’s brutality, the king’s missing son, and superstitions. Morwenna introduces catallys claw and explains ombrevors—vengeful death spirits summoned by a seer—while a deimosi, thought to be her late husband Grendel’s shade, flickers through the house.

Later, Kazhimyr spots a shadow entering Dolion’s room. He and Torryn break down the door to find a cloaked intruder pursued by an ombrevor of roots and bone. The intruder proves to be Dravien. Despite Dravien’s attacks, the beast is relentless until Dolion, as room’s occupant, banishes it temporarily with a glyph.

Dravien seizes Dolion at knifepoint, but Dolion cites Elvyniran oath-law: Dravien once surrendered his life to Dolion, binding him from harming his rescuer. Dolion claims a favor and orders Dravien to escort Kazhimyr and Ravezio to the mortal lands to find Zevander Rydainn and Maevyth. Pressed, Dravien admits General Loyce hired him to target Dolion.

When asked about the ombrevor’s summons, Dravien confesses he stole a locket of vivicantem from a woman he bedded. Dolion forces him to surrender the locket, then opens the window and dismisses the ombrevor by returning the stolen token. With the curse ended, Dolion confirms Dravien’s debt now binds him to the escort mission.

The group resolves to depart at first light for the mortal lands, with Dravien compelled to guide them despite his resentment, escalating the collision course with Loyce and placing Zevander and Maevyth at the center of their next move.