Chapter Thirty-Six

Lore slips out of the Citadel while guards are distracted by the Church fire. Determined to lessen the gods’ hold by leaving Auverraine, she reaches the old storm drain, bends the iron grates with Mortem, and escapes into the city, noting public works that show Bastian still trying to help despite Apollius’s influence.

At the harbor ticket booth she learns the “King” has frozen all commercial voyages, likely to trap her. With sea routes blocked, she instinctively heads to Val and Mari’s warehouse, where a shaken Lore is taken in. Michal, now working with them, helps settle her as she confesses she must leave the country without revealing the full divine stakes.

Val and Mari press for clarity; Lore admits danger will follow if she stays. Seeing her worsening Mortem, they propose using their privately owned vessel, with Michal volunteering to captain. Plans form for a quiet departure at dawn.

Gabe, Malcolm, and Alie then arrive, also intent on fleeing after Amelia’s death and Bastian’s alarming behavior. When Val demands context, Lore states the truth: Bastian is possessed by Apollius. Rumors in the city now paint Lore as Amelia’s jealous murderer, while the travel freeze confirms Apollius’s control.

Lore argues her leaving alone might sever the gods’ influence on her friends, but Alie refuses, insisting they stay together for safety. Malcolm suggests leveraging Caldien contacts and the university to reach the Prime Minister for aid. The group agrees to sail south, keeping near the coast to avoid Kirytheans, with Michal dryly noting he can handle Bastian the man—but not a god.