Page 132 of Queen’s Gambit

Riordan sat by my desk, hidden by a mountain of reports. A tired smile lit his face as I entered.

‘Rey, good to have you back,’ he said as he stood and rushed across the room to me in a few long strides.

He embraced me, frowning when he glanced outside.

‘Sana…?’

‘She was needed in Tangra. Did Irsha and Tova arrive? Have you had time to check the dwarf’s mind?’ Somehow, upon entering this room, I reverted to my usual mindset. If there were problems, I would fix them, and this kingdom still had plenty.

‘What? Tangra? Yes, they arrived. Something’s happened, hasn’t it? I haven’t seen Tova. Irsha’s got him locked down in the Brotherhood mansion with men guarding the entrance. Rey, what the hell happened in Tivalaran?’

The ghostly fingers of his magic probed my mind for answers, but I shook my head.

‘Not now. Let me bathe and rest. Come to my study later. There’s a lot to go over.’

‘I heard about the Songstress. It’s Sana, isn’t it? News travels fast.’

I nodded, thinking of Tivala’s punishment, Niersen’s transformation, the army of creatures, and the strange sensation of Sana drifting beyond my reach.

‘You haven’t heard the worst of it. Sana… I fear even I’m not privy to her secrets anymore, Ri.’