Chapter Forty

Neema regains consciousness on a camp bed, nauseated by an oily, metallic aftertaste and the memory that the Eight and the Last Return are real. Cain soothes her with ice and leaves for his match with Katsan, while Benna sits close, her braid threaded with warm, reassuring ribbons she says the Bear gifted in a dream.

A medic checks Neema for concussion and prescribes rest. After he leaves, Benna breaks down and admits she deliberately dosed Neema with Dragonscale oil. Neema, recalling dreams of Grace Eliat and Yana, connects Benna’s Westhaven roots and Dolrun Forest to Shal Worthy’s report: Yana had fallen ill and recovered near Dolrun, likely cared for by a child—Benna—who later learned of Yana’s hidden Dragonscale and funds.

Neema confirms her hunch with Grace’s staff and confronts Benna gently. Benna confesses to sending Ruko the note and taking the Blade but insists she did not kill Gaida, saying Gaida was already dead when she found her. Neema believes Benna and warns that others will try to pin the murder on her; they resolve to plan privately as Neema battles renewed waves of sickness.

Two Hounds in dark blue uniforms, fresh from the Samra academy, arrive and arrest Benna for disrupting a platform fight, citing imperial orders and ignoring Neema’s protests about warrants and jurisdiction. Too ill to intervene, Neema watches as Benna is manacled and taken away, promising she will fix it.