Odessa discovered her rope ladder had been reattached to her treehouse overnight, freeing her from the isolation the Guardian had imposed. Still fatigued and foggy-headed despite long sleep, she dressed in new Turan clothes provided for her and climbed down in search of food.

Tillia greeted Odessa and led her through Treow’s commons, pointing out four central buildings: the dining hall, mercantile, laundry, and a combined infirmary and library. Tillia explained Treow functioned like a military encampment whose meals were provided by the king, and that supplies arrived from nearby Ashmore, Perris, or Ellder—but pointedly not from Allesaria, a topic that chilled the mood whenever Odessa raised it.

After eating in the dining hall, Odessa noticed local children’s wary reactions to her presence; one girl with Ozarth’s distinctive eye coloration studied Odessa then vanished when Tillia returned. As they moved toward the library, the thunder of hooves announced a "pony rider"—a kingdom courier who delivered post rapidly between settlements. Tillia described the riders as numerous, fast-moving, and rarely lingering. Watching the exchange, Odessa considered whether riders might know routes to Allesaria, but recognized how difficult it would be to question one at length.

The Guardian arrived, diverted Tillia to handle the post, and claimed Odessa for training. He set a punishing pace to the training area, where multiple soldiers were practicing with weapons. Retrieving Odessa’s knives from the base of a tree—evidence he had entered her quarters—he chastised her about relying on maids and launched into drills.

For nearly three hours, the Guardian tripped and pressed Odessa until she repeatedly fell, her fatigue and sluggishness undermining her defense. After allowing a short water break, he answered a few of Odessa’s questions about Turah’s widespread martial training, saying most citizens learn basic weapons skills and that he himself trained as a child.

Prodded for personal history, the Guardian briefly described himself as a reckless, rule-defying boy who ran, jumped from windows, and skipped lessons to ride. Odessa observed his shifting eye colors and noticed intricate carvings on his grizzur-leather forearm cuff; he told her the engravings mark the lives he has taken, a memorial he carries so he will not forget.

When Odessa tried to prolong the respite by asking about Turan traditions, the Guardian ended the stalling with a veiled warning about Turah’s bone-deep loyalty, implying that any betrayal—such as seeking Allesaria against Turan interests—would have dire consequences for her.