The evening sun spilled through the stained-glass windows of the quiet lecture hall, casting a warm amber across the stone floor.

Erith held the small Kaida gem he had taken from the Pining Frost camp between his fingers, turning it slowly in the fading light. In his other hand, Maeric's deep ruby-red gem rested in his palm.

Then let's walk that path. Together.

Maeric's words circled in Erith's thoughts. He barely registered the creak of the door or the soft footsteps approaching.

Saryn stopped a few steps in front of him. Erith remained leaned against the table, lost in the glint of the gem.

"They say that gems are what connected our worlds." Saryn began, her voice calm.

Erith looked up, finally meeting her gaze. She was no longer in the flowing healer's robes of the Soliri. Instead, she wore travel-worn trousers tucked with leather boots and a fitted vest over a dark linen shirt, sleeves rolled just past the elbow. At her waist, a belt of small pouches and a dagger at her side.

"The gems left behind by storms have always held Kaida—and there were plenty of them left behind. Storms weren't as sparse. They swept across the continent more freely. The wake of the storm provided safe travel from Murasi, so a group from Loradun followed the storm's path. A group from Aldarath followed another."

She glanced toward the fractured pane of glass as golden light passed through it.

"Their paths had met. History turns to a new page," she said, her voice low, but resolute as the dust drifted lazily through the light.

A chill stirred up the back of his neck, a tension building—as though Saryn were watching him despite her gaze fixed on the window.

"It was Loradun who first understood that gems could be refilled," she continued. "Though it was those who came before us who truly understood it. From what they left behind, we learned Kaida gems could be reshaped—reforged into containers to hold refined Kaida. With this development, cities began to thrive. Kingdoms began to expand."

"History turns a new page," Erith murmured.

"The blades of kingdoms remain at the door of the Soliri. I'll admit—I haven't kept them entirely out." She turned to Erith, meeting his gaze.

"I've done what I could to help Loradun. Quietly. I've told myself it was in the service of healing a country still damaged from wars past.

The amber glow caught the quiet resignation etched in her features. She was no older than Tal, yet held a steadiness beyond her years.

"But what I witnessed here—what you can do..." she shook her head, her voice quieter now.

"You guided someone through the Balance. And when they returned, they were more attuned to Kaida, more capable than anyone I've ever seen come through the Balance."

Saryn let out a slow, steady breath.

"I've watched people survive things here in the Soliri that healing alone couldn't explain. Gifts, we would say. Mercy from the gods. And what you did?" Her voice grew quiet, as if she were speaking to herself. "That's all it was. Luck. A god's hand. Something beyond reason."

She lingered in that thought for a moment, but then her tone sharpened.

"Because if it were more than that—if what you possess could be harnessed, controlled—then the blades of kingdoms wouldn't be enough."

Saryn looked at him fully now, her eyes a tangle of awe and caution.

"And I won't be the one to help them use that."

A stretch of silence settled over the ancient lecture hall.

Finally, she nodded her head toward the hallway.

"Tal means more to me than any kingdom. She always has. And I can see that you mean something to them now too."

Her voice softened.

"History has turned a new page, Erith. I don't know what will be written—but whatever comes... let's make it through."

She stepped forward and placed a hand gently on his shoulder, offering a small, warm grin as she passed.

"I need a word with Tal and Rin," Saryn called out over her shoulder. "Then I'll be ready."

Then let's walk that path. Together.

Erith's mind drifted as his eyes fell again onto the gems in his hands.

A soft hand on his shoulder startled him.

"Let's get the gems refilled," Saryn said. "Tal and the others have nearly finished packing everything from the markets. They'll be ready to move at a moment's notice."

"Were you able to arrange the travel, then?" Erith asked, lifting his head.

"We should be ready to move tomorrow evening, if everything goes to plan. C'mon, let's get going."

The sky had settled into a deep purple as Erith and Saryn walked through the Soliri gardens and descended into the lower city.

"You've really never seen gems refilled? After all that time with the Pining Frost?" Saryn asked, cutting down a narrow alleyway.

Erith rubbed the back of his neck. "I was always out in the fields sifting. Hardly ever went near the refinery."

"Well, there's not much to it. Another Loradun discovery, but of course—"

"Was it a discovery of something left behind by the ones before us?" Erith offered.

Saryn nodded her head. "Tools imbued with Mura, but could channel Kaida." She glanced at him, as if gauging his reaction. "You've heard of Orunai, haven't you?"

Erith slowed his pace. "I've heard stories. They say it's where the Murasi were born? Where Loradun freed them into the world?"

A wry grin crossed Saryn's face. "Maybe they were born there. Maybe we did free them. Who knows? It's a legend by now. But the warning has always held: stay far from Orunai. An ancient land overrun with Murasi like nowhere else in this world—worse than the Dead Plains.

They descended a tight cobblestone stairway in between stone buildings within the alley.

"A warning that stark only lasts so long. Curiosity always wins out. Many in Loradun have set out to reach the ruins. I don't recall any who—"

As they turned the corner at the stair's base, Saryn stopped mid-step.

Before them stood the barrier garrison, a large stone structure anchored by an enormous Kaida container embedded into its rear wall, facing the city square. Flames flickered from torches mounted outside, casting dim light on the carts, horses, and guards on the street below.

In the middle of the street, Cerus Viceri stood with a small company of guards. As one of them pointed toward the stairway, Cerus turned.

"Ah. Saryn. Helpful timing," he called, his tone smooth and satisfied. "What brings you to the barrier garrison?"

Saryn stepped forward, her voice firm. "Checking on the barrier, Cerus. That falls under my care, does it not?"

"Not anymore. In fact, I'm glad I didn't have to search the Soliri for you. Less commotion, don't you agree?"

He smiled faintly, then continued, "King Veneroth has decreed that, for the safety of all citizens of Velmoran, Aldarath will now maintain both of the city's barrier."

Saryn's eyes dropped briefly to the street before meeting his gaze.

Behind Cerus, two guards entered the building.

"The Soliri has managed this barrier for quite some time," she said, a tension threading her words. "This container predates both our kingdoms. It's not like the other barrier. Refined Kaida is volatile—dangerous if mishandled. Stretching Aldarath's resources across both city barriers? It's reckless. You're putting the entire city at risk."

A moment later, a guard stepped out of the building, a man trailing behind him.

"Which is why," Cerus added, "we brought in the best."

He turned slightly as the man approached.

"The Pining Frost arrived in port earlier today."

The man stopped at Cerus's side.

His eyes locked on Erith.

The Warden.

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