Summary

Chapter 30 opens with a quote by Jutik in his report of his travels to the Seven Merchant Lords of Cuecola as he says that Hokaia is the jewel of the plains and heart of Meridian, yet he thinks it is haunted.

Xiala and 13 others travel over the Meridian plains for hours on the backs of eagles. While Xiala hated it at first, she began to appreciate flight and how easily they avoided storms. When they make camp, Terzha asks Xiala what she sees in the sky. Xiala says she would use the stars to get home and secretly misses Serapio. Terzha says her dark mind came from studying with the spearmaiden even though the secondborn was supposed to be the one who went to war college. However, Numma saw Terzha as a more capable general once war came. Terzha says everyone must prepare...