Thirteen

Hazan storms into the war room, furious that Kamran hired twelve-year-old Omid to replace him. Kamran deflects, citing suspicious avalanche reports across three mountain ranges that may indicate Tulanian spy activity. He refuses to dismiss Omid and instead announces his intent to knight Hazan, citing Hazan’s proven valor.

Kamran shares urgent political developments: the nobles have secretly summoned a quorum of Diviners to restore protections, his authority may be stripped within days, and Zahhak could soon seize the throne. Jamsheed, not Zahhak, relayed these updates—and also revealed that Kamran’s mother has abruptly left the palace under dubious pretenses.

Turning to Alizeh, Kamran produces her carpet bag. Hazan suspects it is Alizeh’s, and when Hazan says her name, Kamran experiences an involuntary, powerful sensation that has plagued him since morning. Hazan cannot explain it but attributes it to potent magic linking Kamran to Alizeh. Kamran suppresses personal feelings to focus on facts.

Kamran details that Miss Huda delivered the bag after Cyrus abducted her to the ball, and that Huda fears what the Tulanian king might do to Alizeh. The bag contains only sewing tools and personal effects, contradicting claims that Alizeh is an armed conspirator. Finally, Kamran reveals a waterlogged, clothbound book inscribed with a cryptic verse—suggesting prophetic significance and deepening the mystery around Alizeh’s role.