Blackout
West Point Castle First Floor
Raia pulls Sia off of Gin. 
"Sia stop. Let him up." Raia says as Gin scrambles to his feet. "Gin, if you really want leave I won't stop you. I've taken enough of your life. You don't owe me any more." 
"You mean everything to me Raia." Gin says. He turns to leave. Raia grabs his arm. 
"I've decided. You are still my attendant. Now and forever. Return to me when you are through with your journey." Raia takes a deep breath. "Please Gin." Gin is quiet for a long time. 
"Sia, I'm counting on you to keep Raia happy." Gin says. Raia releases him and he takes his pack and leaves without saying anything more. 

Later that night Raia and Sia sit in the upper chamber drinking wine and sake. Raia has been quiet and pensive since earlier with Gin.
"Did I do the right thing? Letting him go?" Raia leans against Sia. "I can't help but feel that I've stolen his life from him. Would he have fallen in love with me under different circumstances?   He never said anything. He never gave any hint to what he was feeling." In the distance a golden bolt of lightning strikes in the desert. 


Mountain Fortress 
The Blood Baron curses as Gaul slaughters his way past him. As Gaul nears the top three more Barons join and surround him. 

Meanwhile, the Bloodmen catch a scent. Bloody like their own but different enough to notice. A small detachment peel off to track it down. 

The Bloodmen pursuing Blaze scatter and crash into each other hurling barely intelligible curses. 
"Where fox go?"
"Not see. Scent not right."


Rebel camp
Karnariel taps his fingers on the table looking over reports. The Sun Cloaks march for the cove. If Lexianna is right they could be marching unopposed. The Scouts are having no luck finding the Valkyrie. Karnariel crumbles the paper and tosses it into the fire. 
"I'll find you Kara. I swear on my mother."


Father's Prison
Nel stirs. She sits up and looks around. 
"Candle man?"

Across the hall Nevermore is still unresponsive.