Summary

Unlike everything Zach has read about adventuring overland, he finds the reality of it boring. He walks with Alice and Poppy who, after a while, begins to talk about the game, suggesting she might know who William’s father is. Zach reminds her of her promise not to discuss the game, but she reminds him that she’d only promised not to ask why he’d quit playing. His heart wasn't in arguing with her, so he admits that he had some ideas himself. Poppy is stunned, but Zach just continues as though nothing had changed. Zach mentions that William wouldn't change who he is no matter who his father was, and Poppy asks him if that included if his father was the Duke of Deepwinter Barrow as well. Zach likes the idea, adding that if he was William’s father, perhaps they would...