Contents
Chapter Two
Overview
Mikail processes Euyn’s secrecy about Sora’s father and chooses to stand by Euyn, persuading Sora not to kill him. The group concludes King Joon will betray them and must die. Arriving at Quu Harbor, Mikail reveals forged papers and a plan to contact Fallador to access Queen Quilimar.
Summary
Mikail, reeling from the revelation that Euyn knew Sora’s identity, weighs his love against Euyn’s secrecy and decides to stand with him despite doubts. He reminds Sora that Euyn spared Chul, reframing Euyn’s banishment as proof. The admission cools Sora’s rage just enough to prevent her from killing Euyn.
The group debates their larger goal. Mikail argues King Joon will inevitably betray them—refusing to free Hwan and likely forcing them toward suicidal tasks—so Joon must die. Royo, shaken, accepts that Joon cannot be trusted. Sora’s anger ebbs into grief, but she aligns with the plan to target Joon.
They reach Quu Harbor as ship bells ring. Anticipating Khitan’s restrictions, Mikail has forged papers for Sora, Aeri, and Euyn, masking indentures and deaths, and he maintains his own alias. Determined to outmaneuver Joon, Mikail sets the next step: meet Fallador, the exiled Prince of Gaya, to find a path to Queen Quilimar and advance their bid to free their homeland.
Who Appears
- MikailNarrator; chooses to back Euyn, calms Sora, forges papers, and plans to contact Fallador.
- SoraFurious over Euyn hunting her father; stays her hand when told Chul was spared.
- EuynAbsent but central; revealed to have known Sora’s identity and spared Chul.
- RoyoMan of honor; realizes Joon would not spare Hwan and agrees Joon must die.
- King JoonAntagonist; expected to betray them, prompting the decision that he must be killed.
- ChulSora’s father; previously hunted by Euyn but ultimately spared, altering Sora’s response.
- HwanPrisoner Royo wants freed; used to illustrate Joon’s likely treachery.
- AeriTraveling with the group; receives forged papers to enter Khitan undetected.
- FalladorExiled Prince of Gaya; planned contact to reach Queen Quilimar.
- Queen QuilimarDistant target; access sought through Fallador to advance their larger mission.