EoS Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen: The Barique Pearl

Solineus, an amnesiac Emudar warrior, awakens outside the Koest family’s home in Purdonis Bay, roused by Kinesee’s goat, Tengkur, and offered a crushed egg biscuit by the girl. As the Choerkin fishermen, including Iku, prepare their dories, Solineus helps carry a boat to the shore, bantering with Iku about Migu Tortoise. A sudden premonition grips him with pain, urging him to find Kinesee. Alu directs him to a pearl stash northwest, and he sprints along a deer trail, senses heightened, finding Kinesee fleeing four bandits. With uncanny skill, he disables three with a branch—breaking bones and sparing their lives—while the fourth flees. Kinesee reveals her pearls, including a glowing one Solineus imbues with a protective bond, promising to aid her if she rubs it in danger. Iku arrives, and Solineus hands Kinesee over, leaving the bandits’ fate to her father’s justice, shielding her from the violence as they return home.

• EoS Chapter 13 — The Bloody Scholar
• EoS Chapter 15 — The Archival Con