Chapter 58

Becky enters the Fortis family fortress with the group behind her, dreading the return to a home she thought she had left forever. The magenta gates open onto the beautiful, enchanted grounds of her childhood, and despite Becky’s resentment toward her family, the innocent familiarity of the land, trees, mushrooms, and flower-lined path brings her close to tears.

At the front doors, Archibald, the Fortis family butler, greets Becky with warmth and emotion. Becky feels undeserving because she had last left him by slamming the door in his face, but Archibald welcomes Becky and her companions inside and sends for Becky’s parents, explaining that Becky’s father is in his spice garden and Becky’s brothers are training in the Trench.

As Archibald leads the group through the colorful fortress, Becky reflects on the Fortis family’s loyalty to Myrtalia rather than any ruler or prophecy. Becky considers that her family’s history of sheltering people might explain their connection to Nura Sage, even though Becky’s mother never mentioned Nura or starlight power.

The house itself reacts to Becky’s return: plants straighten as Becky passes, and roses playfully wrap around Becky’s wrist. Becky scolds the flowers but softens, privately admitting she may have missed them a little and promising to say goodbye before leaving again. Clare is amazed by the land-blessed magical plants, and Becky explains that the fortress sits atop the most powerful point in Rennedawn.

In the green room, the group finds Kingsley causing chaos while Trystan pulls the frog away from a fly. Becky dismisses the disturbance because the Fortis household is full of animals, but the sounds from the hall shift into a barking noise and approaching voices that unsettle her. The door crashes open, and Becky identifies the loud arrivals as her brothers.