ToP Chapter 75

Chapter Seventy-Five: Kingdom Roads

Solineus and Morik meet Tanzarêu, a Wayfinder known as Izimdwî (The Huntress), to track Seblêsu, who stole half of Hîmr’s Coin. Tanzarêu, initially skeptical of their competence, reveals her own attempt at Hîmr’s summit, naming it the Plateau of Stolen Breaths for its deadly air surges. Examining a vellum rub of the coin’s symbols, she identifies the coin as a Nêerubôlm (Tracking Stone), with its missing half a Waystone, enabling her to track Seblêsu’s location if not destroyed. Solineus theorizes Seblêsu, possibly of the Dark Waters cult, believes Hîmr lives, as the summit’s alternating breezes mimic breathing, supporting myths of Hîmr’s survival in a lava prison. The cult seeks Hîmr via underground black water rivers, and the Waystone could mark his location for rescue, triggering a mass pilgrimage—the Exodus of the Dark Waters—if placed. Suspecting a trap, Solineus deduces Seblêsu stole only half the coin to lure them, knowing the Tracking Stone’s power, either to ambush them or secure the coin later in Molikîn. Despite the risk, Solineus and Morik, bound by the Ironwing’s orders, resolve to pursue Seblêsu to Hedridôk, likely to consult scholar Tulstenar, with Tanzarêu’s guidance. Her cackle acknowledges their bold folly, as they prepare to chase destiny.

• ToP Chapter 74 — The Weight of Golden Feathers
• ToP Chapter 76 — Road to Wisdom
• Trail of Pyres - Main Chapter Listing