Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ruko wins the Raven Trial with a perfect score, Shal places second, Cain third, and Katsan protests. Cain rebuffs Katsan and, with a chilling look, implicitly defends Neema from slander, reminding contenders that accusations require proof. Neema recognizes his support but decides not to entangle Cain in her growing peril.

Seeking a way off the island to pursue proof of her discoveries, Neema goes to the Fox palace. After deliberate misdirections from Foxes, she finds Abbot Ish Fort training. She offers a deal: passage to the mainland in exchange for what she has learned. Fort agrees to extract her at ten o’clock from the northern steps—alone and unwatched—then punctuates the pact by throwing a hidden dagger past her ear, a warning and test.

That afternoon, Shal endures three rounds against Ruko and loses with honor, while Havoc and Katsan draw, leaving the crowd subdued. Bersun watches, displeased. Neema counts the hours to her escape, sends Benna away to keep her uninvolved, and prepares to travel light, even apologizing to the ominous book she cannot bring.

Grace Eliat arrives with an imperial command: Neema must attend a memorial dinner for Gaida at the Garden at the Edge of the World. Grace dresses Neema in a beaded black gown and a silver necklace. When the ruined opening-ceremony dress is mentioned, Grace vehemently denies ever paying for it, contradicting Benna’s story. Neema concludes Grace is likely lying to avoid embarrassment, and resolves to make her escape in style despite the summons.