Livira, fearing discovery of her theft from Yamala’s private library, struggles to pick the lock on the heavy, iron-bound book while the black hound watches with accusatory calm. Arpix arrives, and as he fumbles and forces at the binding, the dog half-emerges from the wall, growling. In the scuffle, the volume springs open—Arpix identifies an Al-Athan trick spine disguised as a lock.

With the book open—The Forest Between—Livira reads obsessively. The tales outline the Exchange’s nature and hint that chambers may slowly shift over centuries, with rare Mechanisms scattered across reading rooms. Concrete instructions are scarce until a line appears: “A circle drawn with the blood of a white one will open the way to the wood.”

Arpix doubts harming assistants is possible or ethical, but Livira remembers seeing the “white one” in Chamber Seven bleed after a fall. They conclude access may require that blood, but Chamber Seven is sealed. Past failures to summon the Raven suggest they need its feather and true name.

Livira speaks the hound’s name—Volente—summoning it fully. When she asks for the Raven, Volente shudders, coughs violently, and hacks up a black feather. This provides the missing component for summoning and access.

Galvanized, Livira declares they will try immediately. Believing Volente can help open Chamber Seven and the feather can call the Raven if needed, she drags a rattled but willing Arpix to the library to attempt entry to the Exchange.