Summary

Oscar had believed the legend of the island of Aletheia; that wizards had kept the island prosperous and healthy for generations and eventually the power of the wizards had gone into the wizard trees as a living legacy where they continued to serve to this day. He is stunned to discover it is all a lie. The wizards gave their lives so that the magic of the Barrow would be able to overcome the death and decay of the plague within the City walls, and their sacrifice had not only repaired the City but transformed it. Over time, City people became so dependent on magic that they couldn’t live without their growing need for a wide range of petty charms for all occasions. Of course, official history told none of this.

In the morning Oscar rises and takes small comfort...