Chapter XII

  During a typical meeting of the Masters, Ilirianna Iiji almost always stood beside the King, watching over the proceedings as she observed how best a monarch handled these most powerful mages. One of the only instances she could recall where this wasn’t the case was her return from Stellareid where she, Ryokumo, and Rennigan made their reports on what unfolded in the City of Starlight. Otherwise, there was no reason to be the one addressing them, but on that afternoon, she was practically on trial, and would have been should she be anybody but the Princess of Ijiria and the future Queen. She aided in the breaking of the Oralian Isolation Act, a crime punishable by death, and as such, she now stood across from a glaring King Markreas, keeping her posture tall and confident as she prepared to defend her actions with everything she had. She was not about to let anything happen to Abigail and Ryokumo, even if she had to raise hell to protect them.

  Currently, six of the eight Masters were present at the table, the only exception being Nakoma, who was off arresting Ryokumo, as well as Koroha, whose location was currently unknown and was probably at one of the many libraries in the city researching Keskivaara’s magic. On Ilirianna’s left sat a rather confused Sinna Cartus and Nyx Rana, both of whom were looking between the King and Princess as they silently tried to determine why Ilirianna was the one on trial. Seiras was impossible to read, as always, for a slight grin was twisting his features, while Edwar Grunly appeared on the verge of getting sick. His features were pale, his body was shaking, and he seemed about ready to break into tears and sob. She couldn’t imagine how he was feeling in the moment, knowing that he was the one who exposed the truth behind Abi’s disappearance. The guilt would be immense, leaving Ilirianna genuinely fearing for his health. However, she knew that he had done nothing wrong. It was Ilirianna’s own fault for placing such a massive secret on the shoulders of a man like him, and it was Nigreos and Album’s fault for cornering him and ripping the secret from his lips.

  Ilirianna’s eyes shifted to the other end of the table where the Masters of Darkness and Light were sitting quietly. Album’s head was lowered, refusing to look Ilirianna in the eyes, but Nigreos glanced back instantly as he fixed her with a challenging glare of his own. She loathed them, wished nothing but pain on them for as long as they lived, for they may have just killed Abigail Reiner. She understood them feeling betrayed and she could not blame them for being upset, but to throw Abi to the mercy of Ijiria was far too radical of a punishment. She expected nothing less of Nigreos, but Album had just betrayed them in a way that Ilirianna would never forget. If Abi and her family were executed or erased, Ilirianna would make them pay the very second she had the opportunity to.

  That was a promise.

  The Princess pried her eyes away from Nigreos as she returned her stare straight ahead, noting the presence of Queen Toranei beside the sitting Markreas. Ilirianna’s mother appeared more livid than the King in some ways, but that wasn’t a problem.

  If I’m pushed into a position where nothing can be done, if this is enough for them to revoke my status and turn the throne over to Anna, then Mother, I won’t hesitate to reveal your treachery, too. You’ll come down to hell with me…

  It only made sense, after all. Ilirianna was only sparing Toranei and Nakoma because she needed the throne, but if the throne was taken from her, there would no longer be any reason to keep quiet. Perhaps her claims wouldn’t be taken seriously at first, but a mere genetic test would make it inevitable.

  Abigail Reiner is one of the most important people to me, and it was my own selfishness and need for power that may have ruined everything, so at this point, absolutely nothing is off the table. I’m about to go to war with the Masters of Ijiria, and I’ll be fucking damned if I lose.

  She recalled the previous night when Nigreos stalked down to the bottom level of the royal suite, wasting little time as he boldly proclaimed,

  “King Markreas, Queen Toranei! Abigail’s alive in Omaruo!”

  She truly had wished she could cut him down then and there, but as she walked over to the edge of the loft and gazed down, listening to Nigreos detail nearly every single thing Grunly revealed, Markreas and Toranei’s shock and rage slowly shifted up to Ilirianna. The Princess held her ground, refusing to make eye contact with her stunned half-siblings as she faced the Queen and King. Naturally, they weren’t going to take Nigreos at his word unless he could provide them with proof, so the Master of Darkness requested this trial before the Masters so that she and Ryokumo could be presented with the allegations, as well as so that Grunly could be interrogated in front of everybody. Ilirianna was confined to the royal suite for the entire duration of the day, and once Markreas had everything in order, the eight were summoned.

  Normally, the Masters didn’t preside over anything judicial, but given the fact that nearly everything in this case revolved around them, Markreas decided to tap into rarely used tradition in order to determine the fates of the accused. Once everything had been discussed, they would vote on what would happen to Ryokumo, Abi, and Grunly.

  The door to the Chambers slid open to permit Nakoma Taurus and a magically cuffed Ryokumo Caeli, who was rather aggressively dragged to Ilirianna’s side before the Master of Fire bowed to Markreas and took his seat on Nigreos and Album’s half of the table. Ryokumo looked sicker than Grunly, if that was even possible, as he lowered his head and refused to address anybody in that room.

  “Nakoma,” Markreas began in a low growl. “Did we ever locate Koroha?”

  “No, unfortunately not. I reached out to the Academy, but Headmaster Tykon said she wasn’t there today. My best guess is she’s at one of the local libraries.”

  The King snorted with displeasure. “Very well then. We’ll begin without her.” He then clicked his tongue with disgust as he regarded the silent wind mage. “Caeli, I should have known the day would come when we’d have to arrest you, but I would have never expected my own daughter to be at your side when we did. Did Master Taurus inform you of the accusations?”

  Ryokumo nodded weakly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “And how do you plead?”

  “I…” He was trembling as he spared a look Ilirianna’s way, as if wanting to ask if it was worth lying to the King and Masters. Unfortunately, she could only shake her head, knowing that at this point, telling the truth was the best route at their disposal. Ryokumo seemed to understand, so he took a deep breath and replied, “Guilty. What you’ve been told is correct. Liri and I helped Abi reach Omaruo in the aftermath of Stellareid with the realm dagger we were entrusted with. Am I correct in assuming the other Masters have been told of this particular item?”

  It was a rather bold question, indicating that perhaps Ryokumo’s own anger was beginning to overcome the somberness preceding it.

  Markreas smiled darkly in response to the young man’s challenge. “Yes, I have already filled the other Masters in on what Nigreos has told us. They’re aware we secretly kept Mallicent Malloway’s realm dagger, and they agreed that it was the right thing to do. They’ve also been given the details of Abigail Reiner’s situation. They know she abandoned her duty to the Empire and fled like a coward to a magicless realm. A pity she became a deserter after all the good she did.”

  Ryokumo narrowed his eyes with surprise, clearly noting the fact that Scott and Eric were not mentioned. As it so happened, the one place Nigreos refrained was in regards to Abi’s family, something she found strange but also wasn’t going to complain about. The problem was that either he or Album may change their mind and expose it in that very meeting, something she had to be ready for.

  “Liri…” Markreas went on, now addressing the Princess. “What do you have to say for yourself? I’ll admit, when Nigreos began telling your mother and I what you had done, I truly thought he must have lost his mind, yet you and Caeli have now admitted to it. Why would you break such a sacred law for a deserter like her? What compelled you to steal a realm dagger and to enable interaction between magical and magicless? Have you forgotten the lessons of the Kairan Genocide? Have you learned nothing from your studies of the Realm Forger Exodus? Hmm? What say you to that?”

  Ilirianna shrugged casually, wanting Markreas to know that she wasn't intimidated or scared, and that she believed she hadn’t done anything wrong. “What say I? I say I looked at my friend, saw how depressed and scared she had become, and decided to help her find some peace. I say I know Abigail Reiner better than any of you, so I was able to confidently state that she wouldn’t harm the magicless, wouldn’t expose magic to them, and would live among them without raising any suspicion. And I say that, in all these years, there hasn't been a single reading on the QuaerBasim that revealed her presence, which backs up my argument. Abi did nothing wrong, and as such, I would ask you to leave her be.”

  “Do not pretend to be a fool, Liri,” Toranei spat. “As if we've been watching that relic every hour of every day. Nothing of interest ever happens in the other realms, so the chances of us missing a reading from Reiner are high. As it stands, we know nothing about what she’s done there. And now we cannot even trust you. Who's to say you haven’t been covering up Basim readings?”

  Ilirianna smiled stiffly, feeling a pang of anger at the gall her mother had to utter the word “trust”. “I understand not wanting to believe me, but if you’ve called me here to apologize or repent, then don’t waste your breath. I stand in support of Abi, and I do not believe we should do anything to her.”

  “But that’s not an option, now is it?” Nigreos stated with a scoff. “By law, we cannot knowingly leave a magical woman in Omaruo. She must be brought back to Ijiria.”

  Ilirianna rounded on him, barely able to contain her fury as she demanded, “So then, Nigreos, you would have your dear old friend brought back for execution, all for the mere crime of wanting a more peaceful life?! You would condemn Abi to death?!”

  “I am not suggesting she be executed!” Nigreos shot back. “Like you, I trust she’s done nothing wrong, but we can’t always ensure that. I believe she should be taken back here and reintegrated. She’s a logical person, she can be reasoned with! She will understand why it was necessary!”

  “I’m sorry, Master Noctis,” Sinna cut in before Ilirianna could retort. “But the law is the law. If Abigail Reiner has broken the Oralian Isolation Act, then she must be put to death, regardless of her reasoning. We cannot reintegrate.”

  Nigreos and Ilirianna both turned on Sinna confrontationally, the former instantly growling, “There can always be exceptions, and this should be one of them.”

  “Why” the Master of Rock demanded. “Because she was your friend? Because you care for her? Those are not reasons to spare her life. Why would you even trust a word she said? She lied to you, Noctis, so can you really look her in the eye and believe her if she tried to tell you she did nothing illegal in Omaruo?”

  “I…” He trailed off, a bitter expression contorting his face as he failed to deny Sinna’s argument.

  However, to Ilirianna’s surprise, Album was quick to back him up. “Deserter or not, she did a lot of good while fighting in the royal team. She was an imperative part of the Hiriech Investigation, was the one who sniffed out Vesh and Mallicent’s treachery, and was integral to Mallicent’s defeat in Omaruo. For years, she fought the Kosah-Rei in the north, and it was Abi who managed to learn the secret behind Barron Kristoff’s armor—a secret Master Taurus and Master Rhitta just weeks ago used to kill him. I am not excusing her actions, but I think there is logic behind mercy.”

  If you wanted to give her mercy, Album, then you and Nigreos should have kept your fucking mouths shut, Ilirianna hissed in the privacy of her mind.

  “But as Master Cartus said,” Nakoma began, “we do not know what she’s been doing in Omaruo. If Ilirianna tells the truth, then there’s validity to what you’re claiming, but if Ilirianna is hiding things…”

  Album slowly turned to regard Nakoma, her features blank and emotionless. “I’m not disagreeing. But perhaps we should determine this when she arrives. At the very least, I’m in support of a delayed execution while we talk things through.”

  “Well…” Nakoma let out a long breath. “I suppose I can agree to that. I’ve spent some time with Reiner as well, so I do not think she would do anything harmful on purpose. That being said, a law is a law.”

  The Master of Fire looked to Markreas, as did everybody else gathered in the Chambers as they all awaited the King’s input on the debate. The emerald-haired man twisted his lips in thought, and when he realized they were waiting on him, he sat up straighter and made his declaration.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Unfortunately, I cannot promise we will do as Nakoma and Album suggest. This law is sacred, even given Abigail’s many feats. It would be a different matter if we knew as fact what she had done while in Omaruo, but since Toranei is correct and we can’t, I am left in a difficult position. And that’s not even taking into account the fact that she stole one of the most priceless artifacts in Ijirian possession…”

  Shit… He can’t even promise to delay it?! Damn it all! If Abi dies because of this…

  “And…” His voice shaking, Grunly finally managed to open his mouth, resulting in an angry gaze from most in the room. “May I ask, what is to become of me? To be honest, Markreas, I am a little surprised I’m not standing at the front with Princess Ilirianna and Mr Caeli.”

  “A valid question,” Markreas rumbled. “And one I have already decided upon. Ed, retire. You have lived a life of loyalty and honor. Yours is a legacy I wish not to taint with a poor decision made at the very end. I have determined you will not pay for anything you’ve done, but my condition is that today will be your last one serving as Master of Nature. My other condition is that I will nominate your successor. There will be none of this Iris Mackia nonsense.”

  Ilirianna’s eyes went wide with horror, her fists clenching at her side impulsively as Markreas made everything she had done pointless with that single declaration. If Iris was not appointed the Master of Nature then what was it all for? Why was Abi’s life ripped apart if they didn’t even attain what they risked it all for?

  “M-Markreas, that’s—”

  “Or would you rather live out the rest of your days in a cell?” the King interrupted him, to which Grunly meekly lowered his head and shook his head.

  “N-no… Okay then… I’ll step down…”

  “Good. Then as King of Ijiria, I bestow my pardon upon you.” Markreas then raised his hand and pointed his finger towards the door. “Now depart. As you are no longer the Master of Nature, you have no place in these proceedings. Return to your quarters, Ed. I’ll summon you for a more private discussion later.”

  Grunly’s lower lip shook, making Ilirianna wonder if he had something else to say, but he kept it to himself as he bowed, climbed out of his chair with his cane, then gradually made his way past Ryokumo and the Princess towards the door, though not without muttering,

  “I am so sorry, Ilirianna.”

  “So am I,” she uttered back, watching as the former Master of Nature disappeared into the corridors beyond.

  “So what of them?” Nyx asked once the Chambers had gone quiet. “I do not expect Princess Ilirianna to be executed, but what of Caeli?”

  Ilirianna went cold, her body tensing for whatever was about to happen. Ryokumo’s fate was another thing she would never compromise on, so if he was bestowed a punishment any harsher than freedom, she would scorch the earth with all she had. Losing Iris as Grunly’s successor was the only sacrifice she was willing to accept that day.

  Markreas regarded Nyx for a few seconds, as if having failed to come up with an answer, before he turned his head and looked at them. “As you said, Liri will not be executed, but she will be watched under more scrutiny than before. I do not wish to let what is mostly an innocent crime come in between herself and her future. As for Caeli, well…” The King smiled darkly. “That is worthy of discussion, for I do not believe it to be an easy answer.”

  Sinna let out a snort. “Is it not? Caeli has always been an impulsive menace, even if he is a talented mage. He may not have broken the law himself, but he was an accomplice in it. Execution is appropriate, My King.”

  “It is,” Markreas conceded. “But many of Album’s points in regards to Abigail hold true for him. In the Battle of Ankalla, it was he who butchered Rotana Vesh, a man I loathed more than anybody else besides Keskivaara, perhaps. He also fought alongside Liri and my wife when Sartella became a dragon. There is far more reason to spare him than there is Abigail, so I will at least pardon his life. Execution will not happen, but confinement may be necessary. I thought I would leave Caeli’s sentencing to a vote from the Masters.”

  “A vote from us?” Nakoma parroted. “But My King, he isn’t a Master or Iiji the way Grunly and Liri are, so would the Council not have a say in his fate?”

  Markreas’s smile widened into one filled with smugness. “Normally, yes… But as it happens, I faced the Council of Elders a mere hour ago in an emergency session. I requested full authority over the case, as well as the rights to use a realm dagger to retrieve Abigail Reiner. Truth be told, I did not expect an easy fight, but I was given permission for everything I desired.”

  “W-what?” Nigreos stuttered, leaning forward with anticipation. “You were? Kloras Glaus permitted all of that?”

  Markreas shook his head. “He did not, but for reasons I am still unaware of, Elder Glaus did not attend the meeting. Since it was for an emergency, the vote took place anyway, and without the guidance of their dear shepherd, the sheep on the Council were swayed by Orland. We may choose Ryokumo Caeli’s fate, and we may retrieve Abigail Reiner…as early as tonight.”

  Nigreos licked his lips with surprise. “Tonight? Then My King, did you—?”

  “I did,” he assured the Master of Darkness. “And I have decided to allow it. For those who don’t know…” Markreas surveyed the other Masters as he explained what he and Nigreos were referring to. “Nigreos requested that he be the one to bring Abigail back. He argued that she would be more cooperative should an old friend come to retrieve her as opposed to another Master. Since Liri and Caeli are far from options, and Album denied interest, I have decided to leave it to Nigreos. Upon the conclusion of this discussion, he shall depart for Omaruo.”

  N-no… Ilirianna’s lips tightened as panic began to set in. She had been fully confident that there was plenty of time to come up with a solution. Never in her life had the Council of Elders supported Markreas so easily and so quickly, especially not in regards to the usage of a realm dagger. She recalled when they got stuck in Omaruo during their pursuit of Mallicent, Koroha said it took as long as it did to pick them up because Kloras dug his heels in. So of all the fucking times for Kloras Glaus to abstain, it had to be now?! If they bring Abi back tonight, then I’m absolutely screwed! Should Markreas decide it, Abi could be put to death before dawn!

  “Are we sure this is wise?” Sinna inquired sharply. “Noctis was a friend of Reiner’s. Can we say with confidence he won’t lie to save her—that he wouldn’t report she’s dead just to make sure we never track her down?”

  “I trust him, Sinna,” Markreas stated without room for argument. “If he wanted to protect Abi from me, he would not have come to me in the first place. We had no idea, after all, and it is because of him that we can address this particular issue.”

  “Thank you, My King!” Nigreos said with a deep bow, ignoring Sinna’s click of disapproval. “Truly, with all my heart, I thank you. I shall bring Abi back to Ijiria peacefully and without the need to rely on erasure.”

  But does he mean that? Are Nigreos and Album going to spare Scott and Eric? Ilirianna watched the Masters of Darkness and Light carefully, still interested to know why they left out that particular detail despite both clearly interested in dragging Abi back. I have to step with caution…or else I’m damning us all…

  “Of course, Nigreos, and thank you for bringing this all to my attention. With that said, I’d like to begin wrapping things up,” Markreas went on. “Now, we shall vote on the fate of Ryokumo Caeli. Raise your hand if you are in favor of confinement.”

  Ilirianna’s breath caught in her throat as hands raised into the air, but she was surprised to find that only three of them voted to lock Ryokumo in the dungeons. The Princess’s eyes shifted between them, noting that Nyx, Nigreos, and Seiras had chosen to allow Ryokumo freedom, while Sinna, Nakoma, and Album chose to lock him away.

  Album, you bitch, Ilirianna fumed. But, I’m really confused. Nakoma and Sinna make sense, but why are Nigreos, Nyx, and Seiras refraining?

  “A tie?” Markreas muttered. “Intriguing. Would any of you like to explain yourselves?”

  Sinna nodded firmly, her eyes locked on the Master of Water as she demanded, “Yes, please do. Why on earth would we give him a full pardon, Nyx?”

  The smaller woman slowly raised her head to gaze at her fellow Master, and to Ilirianna’s surprise, there was a meaningful look shared between them, as if her reasoning was something only they should know.

  “Sinna, please, have we not done enough?” Nyx whispered. “I just…don’t feel like he deserves that. King Markreas is right anyway. Caeli killed Vesh.”

  “That was my reasoning as well,” Seiras chimed in, the sound of his voice always a rarity in these discussions. “From my perspective, this all seems like an emotional situation. Princess Ilirianna and Mr Caeli cared for their friend, were worried about her, and aided her flight to Omaruo out of love. It was a foolish decision, but not one I feel should snuff out a candle that may one day become a blaze. Far too much potential, and for what? Tradition? No harm was done, so unless I’m shown otherwise, I stand in Caeli’s favor.”

  “I fully agree with Master Ka’s reasoning,” Nigreos added. “Besides, Ryokumo and I are friends, I hope, so I don’t wish to lock him away.”

  Markreas watched the three of them explain their positions before turning towards Nakoma and Album, the former of which was the first to speak.

  “I hear what they're saying,” he admitted. “But I don’t support it. Nigreos is speaking emotionally, and I fear Nyx is misleading herself, but I think we’re doing Caeli enough justice simply by sparing his life. The likelihood that Abigail faces death is high, so are we really going to kill her and let Caeli run free? No. A year or two incarcerated is already mercy.”

  Still showing none of what he thought, Markreas turned to Album as said, “And you? I confess, your lack of mercy was surprising, Album. I’d have expected you to spare him. Why do you choose to convict?”

  Album lowered her head, still not allowing herself to look anybody in the eye, as she gave a single sentence for an answer, and one that hardly explained anything. “I just don’t trust him.”

  “Hmm…?” The King sighed, eyeing the silent Toranei for a second only to find the Queen remaining neutral.

  Drawing attention back towards her, Ilirianna had to internally admit that she was surprised her mother had remained as silent as she did. Normally, the Queen wasn’t one to hold back her opinions, so Ilirianna couldn’t help but wonder why, even when Markreas looked to her for wisdom, she refused to give it.

  “Very well,” the King muttered after a second. “We shall vote once more, and if it remains a tie, then I shall break it myself. I ask you again, who here is in favor of detaining Ryokumo Caeli?”

  Ilirianna tensed, but to her utter relief, this vote fell in favor of pardoning Ryokumo, four to two, though like before, the votes were not as she expected.

  Instead of Album, for reasons that made little sense to the Princess, it was Sinna Cartus who switched sides.

  ***

  A part of her was surprised that Markreas accepted the results, for as the King of Ijiria, he had every right to ignore what the Masters wanted and convict Ryokumo anyway. It made her wonder if he really didn’t want Ryokumo to be arrested, but regardless of his logic, the young wind mage was allowed to walk free. At the meeting’s end, Nakoma got to his feet, walked around the side of the table, then removed the magic-suppressing cuffs from Ryokumo’s wrists, returning his power to him and freeing him from the threat of conviction. With that, the Masters dispersed, with Nigreos and Album immediately following the King so the former could acquire the realm dagger and hop to Omaruo while the rest of them went their individual ways. Seiras made some comment about having a meeting down in the city, Nyx and Sinna hurried off whispering amongst themselves, and Nakoma returned to the table with Toranei, deep in thought. It was only as Ilirianna and Ryokumo stalked from the room that the Queen called out,

  “Liri, a moment please?”

  But Ilirianna ignored her completely as she marched into the silver corridors beyond with Ryokumo in tow, her mind spinning as she desperately tried to figure out what to do. Her friend didn’t speak, an oddity for him, leaving her wondering just what was going through his mind. She had no idea how much he already knew, but based on the way he conducted himself, she had a feeling he’d been informed one way or another. Like her, Ryokumo must have been blaming himself, and perhaps he, too, was desperately trying to find a way to save Abi.

  But we don’t have time… Ilirianna lamented as they reached a lift and began descending. Nigreos is leaving now, and with Omaruo running faster than Ijiria, once he’s gone, he’ll be back quickly. If we were to act, we have to do it instantly, but what the hell am I supposed to do?! I barely made it out of there with Kumo, and it was clearly his hand in Vesh’s death that provided that opportunity! Just as Markreas respects Kumo’s role in the Kosah-Rei’s defeat, he won’t be so easy on Abi for running from it! Then there’s the fact that, at any time, Album or Nigreos may expose Scott and Eric, and if Markreas learns of that, he’ll order Album to erase them without mercy. I’m backed into a fucking corner, and I’m powerless to do anything!

  “Liri?” Ryokumo uttered. “Can we…save Abi? Or is it all hopeless?”

  Ilirianna clenched her teeth, feeling a stab of guilt at the dark tone in her friend’s voice. She wished she could reassure him—tell him that everything was going to be okay and that she could handle it. She didn’t want him or Grunly bearing any of the weight of Abi’s death, and she didn’t want Abi to die.

  It’s my fault… she thought, barely fighting back her tears. Nigreos only found out because of Grunly, and I’m the one who put that pressure on an old man who couldn’t bear it. I was selfish! I knew I was risking everything Abi loves, just to attain power! I can’t believe I’ve done this… I thought…

  Suddenly, Ryokumo’s arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her back close to his chest and leaned his head against her shoulder. His warmth was a salvation she desperately needed, and as she reached down to clutch his hand, Ilirianna began to cry.

  “I can’t do anything…” she confessed. “The only person who can spare Abi now is Markreas…and I don’t think he’ll hear me out after all of this… Abi’s going to die, because of me…”

  “Liri… It’s not—”

  “It is though.” Ilirianna laughed bitterly. “Kumo, I’m such an idiot… I shouldn’t have disturbed the peace in Omaruo! It was all perfectly fine until I insisted on bringing Grunly, and now Abi might die! I can’t allow that to happen! I’d do anything to save her, but I’m powerless… Unless I was…”

  She trailed off, an intrusive thought clawing its way into her mind. Unless I was the Queen…

  “I ordered Vesh to pit him against Markreas, so if we’re lucky, the People’s Mind may have already marked our dear King. You might be able to get rid of him as we speak.”

  “Unless I was the Queen…”

  Her hand moved on autopilot as she slid her fingers into the pocket of her pants and produced a small red ring. It rested in the palm of her hand, unassuming and unsensible, yet more powerful than anybody knew.

  “Liri?” Ryokumo began with a frown. “What’s that?”

  “The Teritus.”