Summary

In the prologue, the goddess Enva enters a café on Broad Street in the city Oath, contemplating her ongoing war with her former-lover Dacre. In Chapter 1, Iris Winnow feels someone trailing her on Broad Street as she heads to work at the Inkridden Tribune. Iris recently returned from reporting on the war in Avalon Bluff, where her husband Roman went missing during Dacre’s attack. They always stayed in touch by sending letters written on their magical Alouette typewriters, but Iris left hers behind in Avalon. At work, Helena Hammond, Iris’ boss, hands her a letter from Marisol: the woman Iris, her colleague Attie, and Roman stayed with in Avalon. Iris and Attie discuss visiting Marisol soon.

To everyone’s surprise, Chancellor Verlice enters the office. After Helena speaks to him privately, she summons Attie and Iris. Helena discloses to Chancellor Verlice's pressure...