Contents
Chapter 13 — Oro
Overview
Back on Lightlark, Grim rejects cosmic stakes, insisting Isla’s rescue comes first, while Oro balances love with duty. Realizing they need a link to the cursed world, they seek Skyling ruler Azul. Banking on a soul fragment left by the curses, they ask Azul to contact his late Moonling husband, a scholar who might hold crucial knowledge. Azul, shaken but resolute, agrees.
Summary
At Oro’s castle, Grim denounces the lost king’s usefulness and declares he cares only about rescuing Isla, dismissing the Threads of Time’s broader purpose. Oro counters that love for Isla includes protecting their world, noting Isla shares that belief.
Needing a route to the cursed world, Grim says he requires a tangible connection to it to open a portal. Oro recalls the lost king’s claim that every realm must play a role and reasons that those who died in the curses might have soul fragments in that world.
Oro suggests approaching Skyling ruler Azul, whose husband perished during the curses and had been a Moonling scholar. Grim questions the value, but Oro argues the scholar’s lost knowledge could help reach Isla.
They portal to the Skyling castle, alarming courtiers who flee at the sight of Grim. In private, Azul demands to know Isla’s fate. Oro explains Isla portaled Lark away to save their world; Azul acknowledges they owe her a great debt.
Oro shares Cleo’s prophecy of Crowntide—a war between worlds—and the existential stakes, while Grim remains focused solely on Isla. They ask Azul to contact his dead husband, believing a soul fragment remains in the cursed world and might offer guidance. Despite shock, Azul agrees and tells them to take him to his husband.
Who Appears
- OroSunling ruler; balances love for Isla with duty, devises plan to reach cursed world via Azul’s late husband.
- GrimNightshade ruler; fiercely prioritizes rescuing Isla, pressures Azul, dismisses cosmic stakes.
- AzulSkyling ruler; aided Isla earlier; learns of her peril and agrees to contact his deceased Moonling husband.