Odessa woke to the sound of seabirds and realized the fleet was nearing land. Eager for air and activity after days confined to her cabin, she discovered a fresh set of Turan-style clothes—embroidered tunic, leather pants, and new boots—left inside her locked room, implying the Guardian’s intrusion. She dressed despite Brielle’s disapproval of the pants and went on deck alone while her seasick maids stayed below.

On deck, Odessa confirmed the crew’s preparations and saw gulls above a sea now free of the marroweel’s carcass. A mustached crewman silently indicated she should look forward, but offered no conversation. The Guardian appeared and told her they would reach Turah by midday, admitted to delivering the clothes, and ignored her complaint about entering her room. He then produced his dagger, teasing her about shaving him and pushing her toward weapons training.

The Guardian announced he would train her with small weapons since there was no suitable sword aboard. Odessa reluctantly agreed. In their first lesson at the bow, her inexperience showed: she struggled with footing in the thick-soled boots, lost the dagger twice to the Guardian’s quick disarms, and was tripped once. He judged her vulnerable enough that someone might kill her with her own blade, yet returned the dagger for practice and instructed her on stance before ending the session when called by a crewman.

When Odessa pressed for his real name, the Guardian said she would have to earn it and told her flatly that he would never trust her. Hurt but determined to prove her worth to her father and fulfill her mission, Odessa walked laps to break in her boots and wrestled with feelings of being untrusted and adrift between kingdoms.

Zavier approached, confirmed they would arrive in Turah soon, and clarified the crew was allowed to speak with her despite their reserve. He noted she seemed sad; Odessa admitted to homesickness. A mustached crewman summoned Zavier to the Cannon, and he departed.

After midday, with anchors down, the crew launched rowboats for shore. Odessa informed Brielle and Jocelyn to pack, then returned topside to watch the coast. She noticed the Guardian at the bow monitoring land with a hard, unblinking stare, as if regarding Turah like an enemy or battlefield, which unsettled her. When it was time to board a rowboat, she let Brielle and Jocelyn go first, hesitating until the Guardian joined her side and, with a wolfish smile, said, “Welcome to Turah, my queen,” confirming they were not parting ways yet.