Summary

In the Interlude, the narrator indicates there was a time of peace while Syen rested; but, forces working against her gathered around and began their advance.

In Chapter 20, it has been two years since Syen gave birth to her son, Corundum. She is begging Innon to let her go out on the ship with him so she does not go crazy with boredom. He finally agrees and tells her that she needs to tell Alabaster they will both be going away.

Alabaster knows by the way Syen approaches him that Innon has agreed to take her with him. He asks if she will return. She realizes that he is angry and afraid that she will leave him, but Syen insists that she needs to be somewhere she will be useful. He says that she is useful as Corundum’s mother.

Later that...