Chapter Forty-Four: This for That[edit | edit source]

Solineus, driven by an inexplicable connection to Polênu Juvilêus, the Contessa of Mostul Ûbar, seeks her ship, the Silver Willow, despite Adinvan’s skepticism and Sîu’s concerns. After locating the vibrant caravel, Polênu confirms the Boboru’s bounty on Solineus and his longships, offering passage to the Mâbuhon River aboard her ship, which flies flags to evade Boboru scrutiny. Their mutual recognition of speaking Edan—a language Polênu didn’t know she knew—deepens the mystery of their connection, though she denies recalling Solineus. In exchange for safe passage, Polênu demands Solineus locate the source of Honêsh (Dûfoldu), a rare herb with healing and dangerous psychoactive properties, dismissing his offer of vast wealth. Sîu warns of the herb’s lethal potential, reinforcing doubts about Polênu’s motives. Solineus, wary but pragmatic, weighs leaving his longships behind and navigating Polênu’s enigmatic agenda, likening her to an unpredictable wind he must skillfully harness to reach his people, balancing trust and necessity in a high-stakes bargain.

WoG Chapter 43 - A Name Unearned
WoG Chapter 45 — The Gulf Between
Whispers of Ghosts - Main Chapter Listing