The Circle of Ancients

The black ceramic fragments inside Thaisha’s silver box shudder together. When she touches them, the lining becomes freezing mist and she collapses with mist moving through her eyes.

Bolaire, Murray and Vaelus examine the transformed silver container while Shadia cares for Thaisha. Bolaire identifies it as a coffin and removes it to the Archanade for study.

At the close of the Farramh, Halandil and Hero play a rebellion song for Thjazi. The investigators return from the Tanners and Thimble finally reaches the body of her fallen partner.

Azune searches Thjazi’s coat and finds the object that fooled his inspection. Occtis proves that its conjuration aura was itself an illusion, revealing a deliberate substitution inside the rescue plan.

Vaelus identifies herself and admits that Bolaire helped her enter Dol-Makjar. In private, she and Thimble move from accusation toward a temporary shared interest in finding the stolen Stone of Nightsong.

Loza announces her retirement, warns Thaisha about Occtis’s family and entrusts Teor with half of the disbanded Torn Banner before leaving the Fang home.

As the household wakes, Halandil and Thaisha speak on the Rookery roof about the failed rescue, the danger brought home by Thjazi’s unfinished work and the need to care for their family before solving everything else.

Thimble vows to find those responsible for Thjazi’s death. Kattigan arrives, confirms that Thjazi cannot be saved, and joins Thimble and a disguised Occtis on the way to confront the Crow Keepers.