Chapter 35

On a tavern rooftop, Messer urges Jo to contact Kai, but Jo prioritizes reaching her mother. Weighing the coming Maile involvement, Jo confesses a critical secret: Chryse is her uncle, and Osiris—Chryse’s brother—was her father, whom Jo’s mother killed after learning he abducted Jo. Jo fears repeating betrayal if she backs Acker against Roison.

Messer counsels caution and proposes flying to Kai first to gauge his stance, despite the risk of leaks. He challenges Jo’s distrust of Acker, asserting Acker loves her and has never touched Irina. Jo resists but is shaken by Messer’s conviction.

Back in the tavern kitchen, Jo states her terms: Kai must take Alaha’s throne and receive Roison lands. Acker warns that Kai has allegedly sent mercenaries to kill him, though he admits his father or Wren could also be behind the attempts. Messer commits to seek Kai immediately.

Acker carves a rough map on the butcher block, marking current fronts, trolls, and locating Kai near the giants, where Kai works to keep them compliant. Jo announces she will check a dovecote to send a letter to her mother. Fredrich plans to ride east at dawn to find horse feed to keep their mounts alive.

Messer and Jo share a brief, practiced farewell; Messer will shift if the weather worsens. Jo heads downstairs, and as Acker trails her, Messer launches as a massive eyun, departing to find Kai. Jo proceeds toward the dovecote, with Acker accompanying her.