In the morning, Tillia arrived at Odessa’s treehouse and relayed that the Guardian wanted Tillia to train Odessa that day, warning of harsher training if Odessa refused. Odessa agreed and followed Tillia through Treow, learning that a lionwick from the previous night had been trapped and relocated, not killed. Tillia explained Turah’s preference to preserve balance by avoiding killing unless a beast is a direct threat, though grizzurs and bariwolves are slain on sight.

At the training grounds, Tillia deemed Odessa unready for knives and switched to sparring. The session was grueling; Odessa’s technique improved marginally in footwork and balance, but she was exhausted and battered. A young water runner recoiled at Odessa’s unstarlit eyes before Tillia reassured him and offered Odessa encouragement. Odessa asked after Zavier and learned only that he was traveling from Perris to Ellder.

As Odessa headed toward the commons afterward, the Guardian galloped through camp, visibly furious, and moments later Treow shifted into a tense alert. Tillia hid Odessa behind a tree. A silent column of at least fifty armed soldiers entered, surrounding the square. Their armor bore a jeweled wolf emblem, and their leader, King Ramsey of Turah, arrived wearing a silver circlet. Tillia knelt before Ramsey; he confirmed Zavier was absent and then quietly directed actions that left her visibly strained.

On Ramsey’s command, his soldiers dismounted and fanned out, raiding buildings and treehouses. Odessa and Cathlin watched as soldiers hauled books from the library and homes, piling them in the commons. Cathlin, devastated, could only nod when Odessa realized the books would be destroyed. A spark set the heap ablaze, and the soldiers continued feeding the fire under Ramsey’s supervision before withdrawing as quickly as they had appeared.

After ensuring the blaze would not spread, Treow’s people dispersed to assess damage. Odessa returned to her treehouse to find it ransacked: clothes strewn, furniture overturned, her hair dye spilled, her crown missing, and the borrowed books gone. Feeling violated, she climbed to retrieve a hidden satchel containing her journal, coin, and necklace, confirming they were safe.

As Odessa climbed back down, the Guardian appeared on his neighboring balcony, having witnessed her retrieval. He acknowledged her precaution with a sardonic compliment, signaling that he now knew she was hiding valuables despite the soldiers’ search.