Contents
Chapter 37
Overview
At the new crack, Yute demonstrates the mist’s malleability and calls it dangerous, while Evar learns fears can be shaped, not only weaponized. Yute links ganar automata to a time-spanning hunt possibly aimed at Evar. With King Oanold’s rival faction holding captives, the group opts to seek a distant exit and Livira. Wentworth unexpectedly leads them to the chamber’s center, where the smell of blood suggests Livira is very near—and in peril.
Summary
Evar and Clovis confront a black mist boiling from a new crack. Yute approaches, reveals he can shape the mist into forms, and explains it knits strong emotion into tangible constructs—a dangerous tool rather than mere terror. Evar recognizes he understands Yute beyond language, and Yute cautions against dreaming near the crack.
Meelan reunites with his sister Leetar as more refugees arrive. Arpix shows Yute the iron orb that repels skeers; Yute identifies it as ganar work and recounts that ganar automata neither guide nor curate but defend themselves and may be hunting someone through time. Yute suggests an enemy with Exchange access could have seeded hunters after Evar. He warns never to speak to ghosts.
Yute reveals their refugees fractured under King Oanold, who declared himself, demanded impossible returns to a pre-fire city, and took prisoners, including friends of Livira’s. The group debates confronting Oanold, but Clovis refuses to yield the orb, and Yute fears bloody conflict if canith meet the king’s soldiers.
They decide to search for a far-off, human-openable exit while asking Wentworth to find Livira. Yute notes Exchange travel is perilous despite his past emergency use. After Salamonda pointedly calls the cat, Wentworth sets off—not toward any door, but into the chamber’s middle, implying Livira is close.
Clovis warns of a heavy scent Evar finally acknowledges: old and fresh blood, and filth. The implication is immediate danger nearby as Wentworth leads them straight toward it.
Who Appears
- EvarCanith protagonist; urges search for Livira, questions automata hunting him, and follows Wentworth toward a blood-scented threat.
- YuteLibrarian; manipulates the crack’s mist, explains its risks, outlines ganar automata hunts, and the split with King Oanold.
- ClovisCanith warrior; guards the ganar orb, resists yielding it, warns of blood scent, ready to fight if Oanold confronts them.
- ArpixDeputy; presents the orb, mediates group decisions, recounts automata encounters, supports plan to find exit and Livira.
- WentworthCat guide; after prodding, leads the group toward the chamber’s center, indicating Livira is very near.
- MeelanRefugee; bravely follows Yute and reunites with his sister Leetar among the arrivals.
- LeetarMeelan’s sister; arrives with a patrol and embraces him, confirming family among survivors.
- KerrolCanith ally; observes Meelan and Leetar, supports Evar during tense discussions.
- NeeraLivira’s friend; explains Oanold’s brutality and the escape from his control with Wentworth’s help.
- SalamondaOlder woman; successfully summons Wentworth to begin the search for Livira.
- King OanoldOff-page antagonist; leads rival faction, holds prisoners, previously threatened torture to force impossible demands.