Chapter 27

At dawn, Amina and Raksh trek into the island’s interior to petition the air court. The forest falls unnaturally silent as frost ripples outward, heralding the court’s arrival. A vortex of wind seizes them and carries them into a vast, mist-filled, treetop chamber dusted with impossible snow.

Surrounded by hundreds of winged peris, Amina steadies herself on an illusory floor while a dove-like peri clerk demands her name and nature. Learning Amina is human, the clerk cites strict rules: humans are forbidden here and cannot leave alive. Amina and Raksh insist on presenting a petition.

Amina warns of Falco—a human who bound a marid with blood magic—and his pursuit of the Moon of Saba to wreak devastation. The peris consult shimmering scrolls, bicker over myths, and settle on an entry labeling the Moon of Saba a low-to-insignificant-risk Transgression, its turmoil considered within normal human violence.

Raksh argues that the coming eclipse could let the Moon’s basin grant dominion over discord, but some peris coolly hope such chaos might break the lunar spirit’s bond and “restore natural order.” Weighing their noninterference stance above mortal cost, the peris deny Amina’s request.

Having refused aid, the clerk turns to enforcement. Because humans may not know of or depart the island, she orders Amina’s removal. The illusory floor vanishes beneath Amina, plunging her toward the distant ground.