The next time I open my eyes, I'm staring up at red brick, with Seir bent over me.

But not just him.

The pale-eyed Farrow witch is also there.

I jerk away from her instinctively back up against the...bed?

Yes, I'm in one of the beds in Seir's infirmary.

The witch stares at me with that eerie, fathomless gaze.

“Sorry,” I say, trying to control my racing heartbeat. “I was just...shocked.”

She says nothing, but I can tell she doesn't believe my excuse. She probably thinks I hate her simply because she's a Farrow witch. And I probably do.

Being tortured at the hands of the Farrow Witches, day in and day out, has a way of forming a permanent disinclination.

She doesn't say anything to me but turns to Seir. “Fluid and another dose of Falcon Tears, then send her home before her Wolf loses his patience and does something they both regret."

With that, she turns around and leaves, the curtain sweeping closed behind her.

“What does she mean by that?” I ask, and Seer sighs.

“Wolf is in the dungeon."

"What?”

"Yes. After you were poisoned, he kind of stormed into the dining hall and lunged at the King."

My heart stops. Oh no. People had been executed for less.

“I don’t think the King will execute him,” Seir says as though reading my mind. “If so he would have done it already. He probably just put him there to cool off. It took far too many Elite Soldiers to subdue him."

"It's not his fault," I say.

"I know. From what I've heard, General Halo and General Roki have managed to convince the King that it was a crime of passion and Wolf was driven mad at the thought of you dying."

"Ah." I already know why the Generals would go through that trouble. Wolf is a man with unlimited potential as a warrior and will eventually become a great champion of the North.

That is, until they betray him too.

"What about the server?" I ask now that my fears about Wolf are calmed. "The one with the wine. What happened to him?"

Seir is silent, closing the curtain to block out the hallway.

"He was executed this morning," he says. "He admitted to his crime after his mind was read by the Farrow Witch that the Ravens brought with them. His entire family was killed during the last siege and he had nothing left to lose."

I swallow, a river of guilt coursing through me. I did this. Perhaps indirectly but it doesn't matter. My actions led to an innocent man dying, as well as if I'd thrust the sword through his chest myself.

Don't be histrionic, The Voice states again. He's not the first one to die because of you and he won't be the last.

I let out a breath closing my eyes.

"How long have I been in here?" I ask.

"About five days," Seir answers. "We had to wash the poison from your system."

Five days. I nearly chuckle to myself. That bastard. So I don't even get the points for the second trial since the deadline has passed.

"It's not your fault," Seir says, his tone gentle.

"Yes, it is," I mumble. I severely underestimated both Tyne and the King.

"No. As I said, the Farrow Witch with them read the server's mind. She saw what he planned to do, saw him put the poison in the chalice."

Yes, but I doubt she saw everything. I'm sure that either the King or Tyne used a series of decoys to convince that man to do what he did. Perhaps he was even being mind-controlled by the King's Farrow Witch, if such a thing was possible. Either way, I doubt he did what he did of his own volition.

And now he's dead.

I feel a heaviness in my chest, but I don't dwell on it as the curtain pulls back.

And I come face to face with Tyne York.

This time, I don't hold back the pure loathing oozing from me. I don't think I can if I tried.

Tyne merely smiles. "Leave us, healer."

"Yes, sire." Seir throws me an apologetic glance and scurries out of there. Tyne closes the curtains behind him.

"I wouldn't look at me like that if I were you," Tyne warns in a falsely saccharine tone.

I force my gaze down, force myself to swallow the hatred. "I apologize."

"You tried to outsmart me, girl. And you failed." Tyne hums. "But I understand why you're upset. But, in a way the King and I did you a favor."

Outrage has my gaze shooting back up. "In what way?"

I can in part, understand some of the King's plan that day. Rather than go through with his original plan of poisoning the Raven girl, Tyne convinced him to use his scapegoat poisoner, and me by extension, to gain the Raven's trust. Now, they likely believe that the King is out to protect them or at the very least to honor their deal. And as such, they will be less suspicious of another attack from him.

Once again, Tyne outplotted me. I did not see the bigger picture and was used as a pawn in a scheme I didn't understand. My suffering was not the point but it was a bonus benefit for the King.

"You don't understand what we've done?" Tyne cocks his head as though disappointed. "Really. I thought you would. You have been very clever up until now.

"Not clever enough," I say then swiftly swallow my pride and soften my tone to add. "Sir, I apologize. I know you don't trust me but I was honest with you. And I just don't know what I did wrong to deserve this."

Tyne stares at me for a second and then sighs. "It's not something you did. It's what you are the King doesn't like."

"A Muzungu?"

"Amongst other things." Tyne actually gives me a pitying look as he says, "But from now on, I'll help you communicate better with the King. I suggest you come to me with your visions henceforth, rather than going directly to him."

"I did," I say accusatorily. "That got me poisoned."

"But not killed. I also ensured the King didn't kill your Wolf either, a generous thing considering the boy's disrespect."

"Right." As if they don't plan on using Wolf the same way they used me.

Tyne plants his hand on the bed, leaning in, his perfume breath making me slightly ill.

"You may think me your enemy," he says. "But we're on the same side here. We both want the same thing...for the North to win this war against the Pangean bastards."

I stay silent, watching his unflinching gaze. He has no idea what I truly want.

I could care less if the North wins or loses the war, for it's own sake. But the North losing means that I die and so do my friends. It means I don't get the power to protect them.

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"I think you would make a fine partner, Adria Elvswick," Tyne says.

Foul bastard. You said those words in the past too, you snake.

"You've betrayed me once before. How do I know that I can trust you again?" I already know I can't but, at this point, having Tyne at least pretend to be on my side is more beneficial than not.

Tyne smiles. "It's better you don't. We'll call this a business relationship, favor for favor. You helped prevent a disaster so I will do you a favor in regards to your mission."

"My mission?" I have to think about it, then realize he's talking about the second stage of the third trial. "But the time limit has elapsed?"

"Yes, but I'm giving you extra time, another week to complete it."

I narrow my eyes. "Is that the favor?"

"No. The favor is this. The Raven girl...she's the key if you want to infiltrate their abode. And she seems to enjoy that thing that you and the healer were discussing when I walked in on you...what was it? Alchemy?"

I blink at him. "She believes in alchemy?"

"She has several books on the topic. Why do you think we gave you this mission?" He tutts, straightening and crossing his arms over his chest. "I had faith that you would figure it out earlier Adria, especially given how friendly the girl has already been to you."

Friendly? I recall the nod as I passed by her in the King's throne room. He called that friendly?

"How was I supposed to? You gave us not a single clue." I frown at him. "If you truly want us to succeed, wouldn't it be better to make things easier? At least have the Elite Guards outside the tower privy to it, so they help us?"

"But where would the fun be in that?" Tyne smirks. "It's too risky to have too many people know about this mission. Besides, without the challenge, we wouldn't be able to adequately test your abilities."

I'm quiet as his words sink in.

Not test my team's abilities.

Test my abilities.

Somehow I don't think he's talking about the foresight.

His eyes seem shrewd and I consider everything he's just said again, including the midnight meeting at the King's study and the fact that the poison didn't kill me.

"The King wants me to work for him," I conclude.

"No," Tyne says. "At least not yet. But I'm convincing him of your usefulness beyond the foresight. He can always get another Seer but your skills are far more than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been observing you since the first trial. I have a feeling you don't know the sheer potential you hold. And the King is always in need of shrewd advisors."

My jaw drops in shock. "You want me to become a King's advisor?"

"Why not?" Tyne shrugs. "So far, only I occupy the role. There's more than enough space for a few people."

"Yes but..." Traditionally, the King's advisors have been men from noble families, not a foreign-born woman with an unknown father. There's no way the King will allow that to happen.

"You let me worry about convincing the King," Tyne says and instantly I see what his main goal here is. He means to put me in a role as the King's advisor but truly I will only be able to access the King through him. Effectively, I will be Tyne's lackey.

Indignation roars through me at the thought. Even now, he still looks down on me, underestimating me.

And the most irritating thing is, he's still outsmarting me too.

"Pass this test and you won't need to become an Elite soldier," he tells me. "As an advisor, you will be on par with the nobles. No one will look down on you anymore for your heritage, and no one will be able to harm you, or mock you." His eyes glitter as though speaking from a bitter experience. "You can put them to death if you want, punish anyone who stands against you. You will also have a say in important policies, foreign and domestic, and how the Kingdom is run. Pass this test, Adria Elvswick and I will make you stand next to me and the King. I will give you power. I will make you as good as a Queen."

***

After Tyne leaves, with his words ringing in my head, the curtains are drawn again.

I glance up, expecting it to be Seir with more medicine but instead, it's the Raven girl, with a tall, stern-faced Knight standing beside her.

"Hello," she greets in that odd sing-songy tone of hers. "Thank you for saving my life. I'm in your debt."

"It's fine," I respond, not knowing entirely how to react. My eyes travel to what she's holding in her hands. I may not be able to read what's on the cover but I know from the symbols what it is.

“Is that an alchemy book?" I ask.

"Yes. It's Liefmann's Compilation of Alchemy Symbology." She appears surprised. "You know about alchemy?"

“A little,” I say. “A friend told me about it and it has always fascinated me. I have one of the foundational books, Klaus' Book of Alchemy. I've been poring over it for days with another friend but I still haven't been able to crack the first two pages."

"Oh," she frowns. "I read that three years ago. It was an easy read. Why can't you read it?" She doesn't ask mockingly, more so in a curious way.

I shrug. "I've always had a problem with reading. Words and letters get jumbled up easily so I have to go slow."

"Ah. You must have dyslexia then."

"The...what?"

"It’s a disorder of the mind," she says easily. "Makes reading difficult. A cousin of mine had it too. I have something that can help if you want. It's back in my room. You can come with me to get it."

The Knight frowns. "Princess, I don't think–"

"It's fine," she dismisses breezily. "Father wants to see her anyway."

"Okay," I say, seizing the opportunity to get out of here and get an idea of the Raven room layout.

I wonder if this visit was orchestrated by Tyne too, but then I tell myself I don't care. My intention remains the same. To become an Elite Soldier and gain power.

I get to my feet a little shakily, since I haven't used my legs in five days. Oddly enough, I'm not as weak as I should be, which means Seir likely fed me while I was asleep. I'm grateful.

"Bye, Seir," I say as we leave. He's scribbling something in his book, looks up, and says, "Come back for more medicine tomorrow."

I nod. "Will do."

Then I follow the Raven girl out of there. She walks fast, not like she's in a hurry to get somewhere, but more so that her legs move rapidly and she's not sure how to slow herself down.

She doesn't talk to me at first, returning to her glancing around and muttering. I watch her but then notice her Knight watching me closely. His eyes are narrowed. It seems I haven't earned his trust yet. Good, they would be stupid to trust me after I saved her life once.

I try to remember what I know about the Ravens of Pangea. It' s not much but I know they were a clever business-savvy clan, known for owning most of the wealthier businesses in the capital. Although they're not a magic-rich race, they've managed to build themselves up to one of the more important clans in the whole of Pangea.

And they have weapons that were basically like magic, and sometimes even better.

"I’ve heard about you, you know." Lady Raven speaks up suddenly while we're crossing the courtyard, almost at the entrance of the guest tower. She nods absent-mindedly to the guards as we enter.

I raise an eyebrow. "You have?’

"Yes," she says, her voice echoes on the cool stones as we climb the staircase. "You’re Adria Elvswick, daughter of a Kabanni seamstress. No father. You were recently engaged to the prince but he broke your engagement to engage another woman. Since then, you have been with a man they call Wolf."

I blink at her. How does she know all that? I doubt anyone would tell her all that information.

She looks at me with eyes that are wide and deceptively guileless.

I seem to have underestimated her. And from now on, I have to be more careful.

"Don’t be too frightened,” she says. "I'm not a Seer. Just observant. And good at knowing things. It’s amazing what people say when they think no one is listening, the information they reveal without intending to. I catch most of it and process it into something useful. It used to unnerve my mother. And my brother." She shrugs and then admits. "I unnerve a lot of people."

That makes me laugh for whatever reason. "So do I."

"I know. People don’t like you here much." Again, she says it matter-of-factly without a trace of pity in her voice. I can't help but appreciate her honesty.

She purses her lips. "It’s ok. I’m not particularly well regarded in my home either."

"Why not?" I ask.

She shrugs. “Not sure. Dad says it’s because I say the most inappropriate things at the worst times.”

"You do." The door at the top of the tower opens and a male voice comes booming out. We pause as her father emerges from the door and smiles warmly at his daughter. "And you're also perpetually late."

Lady Raven shakes her head. "No, I'm not. Technically my timekeeper is the most accurate there is as it was calibrated right at the center of earth." She takes a breath. "So I prefer to think of it as everyone being far too early."

Her father shakes his head at her and then turns to me.

"Hello dear," he says. "Glad to see you're doing okay."

It takes me a second to realize he's talking to me and another to recover from his smile. Dear. No one has ever called me that before. I’m not used to people showing me kindness especially not strangers.

Plus he has kind eyes, the kind with a hint of sadness in them.

"I'm fine," I say, oddly a little uncomfortable now. "Thank you."

"No, thank you. You saved my daughter's life."

His gratitude makes me even more uncomfortable. "Think nothing of it. Really."

“Father," Lady Raven says and he switches his fond look back to her. “Where are you going?”

“Out for a walk around,’" he sighs. “We've asked the Guards and there isn't much to do around here for entertainment. Traveling troupes rarely ever come here and they don't have a performance center."

"Why not? It doesn't cost that much to have a performance center."

"The North doesn't value performers," I say and they both turn to me. "I'm a dancer so I know. Usually, we'd have to perform at the Hovel."

"What's the hovel?"

I share a look with her father.

"It's a...gentleman's establishment," he says. "Like the ones your Cousin Ramsey used to go to."

"Ah." She nods, then wrinkles her nose. "Why on earth would you perform there?"

"You ask far too many questions, my dear." Lord Raven saves me from having to answer by caressing his daughter's cheek.

"Because I enjoy knowing things. Although sometimes it's smarter to keep those things to myself so I don't end up poisoned for my efforts."

I frown.

Did she just call me stupid?

She pauses and eyes me. Frowns as though she can sense that she said something wrong but she's not quite sure what.

"I think I might have made a faux pas," she says finally.

"It’s fine," I respond weakly. "I'm not mad."

"You’re not?"

"No."

She hesitates, peering at me. "Are you sure?"

I shake my head increasingly amused. "Yes. You remind me of a friend of actually. He's also not great with words." Speaking of which, of which, I need to wrap this up so I can go find Wolf and assure him I'm okay.

And assure myself that he's okay too.

"If you would like, Lord Raven, I have a group that I dance with," I tell the Raven Lord. "We don't have instrumentalists but..."

"It's fine," Lady Raven interrupts. "We have a machine that can play music."

Of course, you do.

"Ah, in that case, I have dancers that can entertain you and your guests."

"Hmm. You're free on such short notice?" Lord Raven asks.

I nod. "Yes. It would be a fine way to earn money. The men at the Hovel don't exactly pay well."

A trace of pity enters his expression and he rubs his chin, then nods. "Yes, I suppose that would be a fine idea."

Yes. It would be.

And just like that, we have our way in.