Contents
Chapter Sixty
Overview
Racing through the Northern Pass toward Quu, Euyn, Mikail, and Gambria debate looming realm-war and the Dragon Lord relics. Euyn suspects Joon engineered the crisis, possibly holds the Sands of Time, and plans to steal Quilimar’s Ring. Tension flares over Mikail’s connection to Fallador, sharpening Euyn’s resolve.
Summary
Crossing the Northern Pass back to Quu, Euyn rides up front with Mikail and Gambria while Aeri, Royo, and Sora sit behind with a trunk of clothes. Euyn notes Aeri and Royo’s new closeness but keeps lingering suspicion to himself as the group focuses on the threat of a realm-war.
Speaking in Khitanese, Gambria presses Mikail on why war would doom them. Mikail pushes her to consider that war would concentrate the Dragon Lord’s relics. Euyn counters that the Sands of Time is long lost, but Mikail suggests Joon could have secretly found it and left the palace to secure it when they were sent north.
Euyn tallies the relics—Joon’s Immortal Crown and Flaming Sword, Quilimar’s Golden Ring, Wei’s Water Scepter—and realizes that with the Sands of Time Joon could tilt war or even attempt to become the Dragon Lord. Euyn suspects Joon orchestrated the priestly murders to frame Quilimar and trigger the edicts demanding war on Khitan soil, though he admits Quilimar might also be responsible. He decides that delivering the Ring to Joon could buy their pardons and survival.
When Gambria mentions asking Fallador, Mikail’s source in Quu, Euyn recognizes the name and infers a deeper bond. Jealousy stirs as Euyn recalls Mikail’s recent distance, but he suppresses it, focusing on a plan to steal Quilimar’s Ring regardless of the others’ consent.
Who Appears
- EuynStrategist narrator; suspects Joon engineered war, considers Sands of Time, and resolves to steal Quilimar’s Ring.
- MikailWarns that war could unite relics; hints Joon may hold the Sands; linked to source Fallador.
- GambriaGayan ally; questions Mikail, suggests checking with Fallador; travels with the group to Quu.
- AeriCloser to Royo; rides in the back, largely silent amid the relics-and-war debate.
- RoyoShows new closeness with Aeri; rides with the group, listening to plans.
- SoraTravels with the group, observing as Euyn and Mikail debate relics and war.
- FalladorMikail’s source in Quu; off-page but central to leads on the Sands of Time.