A brass tracking needle on Claire Vance’s navigation table spun three times and locked onto the southern horizon with a sharp metallic click.
The lead spark inside the compass glowed with steady crimson light.
“The resonance is clear,” Claire said, looking up from the sea chart. “Ancestor Pyre has left Sun-Marrow Island. His aura just crossed the northern straits into the Blood-Star Citadel.”
Sera Thorne leaned against the cabin wall, twirling a dagger between her fingers.
“He is meeting with Inquisitor Thorne-Crow and Ancestor Draven,” Sera said, her voice sharp and eager. “Their council of war is scheduled to last three days. Sun-Marrow Island is guarded only by garrison troops.”
Deacon Vane rubbed his hands together, his eyes glittering behind his round spectacles.
“Sun-Marrow Island is the primary vault of the Ashen Sun Sanctuary,” Vane whispered. “Five centuries of plunder, taxes, and mined spirit stones are stored inside that volcanic cavern. If we strike now, we strip them to the bone.”
They all turned to look toward the corner of the pavilion.
