Chapter Seventeen

Tiyung, imprisoned in Idle Prison, Yusan, drifts between hunger and sleep, clinging to dreams of Sora. The monsoons drum outside as he tries to conserve strength, recalling their intimacy and the impossibility of touching her in reality.

A guard admits Hana—now calling herself Zahara—who arrives with a lantern and a sack of food. Tiyung hesitates, fearing strings, but she offers no conditions. He eats ravenously, overwhelmed by deprivation.

Hana then presses him: why hasn’t Tiyung mentioned saving her brother Nayo? She explains Nayo received a gold bar and passage to Tamneki, and deduces Tiyung funded his freedom. Tiyung insists the purpose was simply to free Nayo from abuse, hiding it from Seok and even his intermediaries; he adds that his mother quietly helped him free other indentures.

Disbelieving, Hana withdraws the food, demanding honesty. When Tiyung asks about Sora, Hana states Sora is in Khitan and must steal the Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord or die, implying men’s lust for power is driving this peril.

As Tiyung tries to understand, excruciating pain wracks his body—poison. Hana steps over him, takes the lantern, and leaves. Tiyung collapses on the floor, sweating and shaking, expecting death while the threat over Sora sharpens.