On the ride toward Treow, Evangeline sat in front of the Guardian on his stallion while Odessa rode alongside. To entertain Evangeline, the Guardian privately shared the horse’s name, Aurinda, which he explained was chosen for a twin foal who survived after his sister died, echoing the legend of the twin moons Aurinda and Aurrellia. Odessa reflected on the myth and its connection to Calandra and noted how the Guardian’s tenderness with Evangeline affected her.

Conversation turned to religion and politics. Evangeline asked Odessa about Voster priests, and Odessa explained emissaries had visited her family in Quentis. When Evangeline asked about Odessa’s father, Odessa revealed he is the Gold King of Quentis, confirming she is a princess. Evangeline, slipping, revealed she too is a princess and grew anxious until the Guardian allowed her to share this with Odessa in confidence. Odessa promised to keep Evangeline’s secret and someday share why she left Quentis.

As Evangeline grew drowsy and napped, Odessa and the Guardian spoke privately. Odessa asked how the Guardian navigated the path and why Luella had not joined them; he said he would watch Evangeline. When Odessa pressed about Zavier’s absences, the Guardian said Zavier was hunting monsters and that three hunting parties were active: one led by Zavier, a second by Halston (Tillia’s husband), and a third by the Cutter’s captain who patrolled the Krisenth and shoreline.

Odessa pushed for answers about Lyssa, recalling the wolves’ green blood in Ashmore. The Guardian described Lyssa as an infection of unknown origin discovered within the last four years. He contrasted normal monster behavior—predatory but purposive—with Lyssa’s effect, which turns monsters into indiscriminate killers comparable to the migration’s crux. He stated that the Voster had investigated and ruled out the last migration as the source.

Odessa asked how Lyssa spreads, fearing blood exposure; the Guardian clarified it spreads only by bite, not by contact with blood. He did not know if other animals could be infected because none bitten had survived. When Odessa asked about human bites, realization dawned on her, and the Guardian revealed a bite-scar on his forearm beneath his engraved cuff, admitting he had been bitten by a Lyssa-infected bariwolf four years earlier and survived, seemingly the only known survivor.

Confronted with the scale of the threat, Odessa asked what they should do. The Guardian answered bleakly that they must kill all monsters, every last one, implying his own death would follow. He ended with a sardonic remark about how Odessa’s father would be pleased when he died, inviting Odessa to claim the credit as “my queen the assassin.”

Along the way, Odessa also discussed her red-metal, silver-winged pendant with Evangeline, admitting she did not know its meaning and had found it long ago, though she wore it for beauty and hope. The day’s ride continued under the trees toward the encampment near Treow, with Evangeline asleep in the Guardian’s arms.