Lovers Reunited

Tanial reaches Slot Minear and meets Maman. Once there, she crosses swords with Lord Vang before they finally come to an uneasy agreement when Jenoele cedes the kingdom of Vest Lindebalgh to her.

Mutual trust hasn't bloomed between Tanial and Vang; she sets up her throne in the Broken Shovel Pub, and collects helpful associates. A quick visit to Kongens By where she will site her palace precedes the journey to meet Miriajona in Gwyddoniae Dnias, where her voice promises Tomi King Rhion will be returned to Miri, his Queen.

Costly skirmishes along the way prove that the Ny Regole are not alone in wishing fell outcomes on Tanial and her sister, nor have they rolled over to play dead.

Miriajona, Queen Rhion of Aberystrad, returns to Traenthe and then sets forth to the western city of Gwyddoniae Dnias, where Tanial's voices promised Tomi would return. The threat to her life and the babe's from an erupting volcano spewing fume and noxious gasses is far less a worry to her than Tomi's return and how he will react to her and the babe, his son. After a quarrel in the eye, she can't expect him to be unchanged. For the nonce, alive will have to do!

Tanial's travails are rewarded by Miri and Tomi embracing; beside her watching is the girl who will bring the telegraph into being.