Chapter 48

At dawn, a hawk brings Messer into Acker’s chambers with news. Jovie wakes to find Messer and is irritated to still be chained; Acker admits the restraint appeases Edmond and privately calms his own fears. Messer confirms Fredrich reached Wells’s smithy and cleared hostile squatters. Acker instructs Messer to guard Jovie while he shows himself at court and checks on Irina and Zion; Messer shifts into an orange tabby to remain inconspicuous.

Acker extends Jovie’s leash length but keeps her collared, then departs, uneasy about leaving her defenseless. He notes unfamiliar soldiers and revelers filling the corridors. In the dining hall, he confronts hostile councilmen; Paul insults Jovie, and Acker pointedly shuts him down before Edmond intervenes and steers Acker away.

Edmond, unusually warm, guides Acker to a towering stranger marked by a yellow emblem: King Chryse of Roison. Under the court’s scrutiny, Acker meets Chryse, who pointedly references Acker’s past raids. Edmond claims their alliance depends on an “asset” secured in the dungeons and cites a white-flag truce stalling the eastern front.

Privately, Acker challenges the logic of aligning with their enemy and asks after Wren, but Edmond delays explanations until a meeting that night. Edmond then reports that Tyreek resisted the “new order” and was agitating councilors; Acker conceals his anger and asks to see the imprisoned Zion. Edmond allows the visit while gripping Acker’s neck and issues a cold warning not to try anything, underscoring the peril of defiance.