A Reaper at the Gates

Four weeks have passed, and Laia and Darin walk into Adisa alongside other Scholar refugees. Laia thinks about defeating the Nightbringer and tries to solve Shaeva’s prophecy. Darin reminds her a man has been following them for the past three days. Darin and Laia plan to lose him when they are at the city gates, since there are large crowds of people there.

Laia turns invisible near the gate while a soldier asks Darin if he has a guarantor in the city. The guards explain if Darin does not have a guarantor, he will have to go to the Scholar refugee camp. Afraid of being recognized, Laia urges Darin to leave. Laia thinks how her mother led the northern Resistance to Adisa 25 years ago with help from King Irmand.

Laia and Darin see a wanted poster for themselves at the camp. While they wonder why King Irmand is looking for them, Mariner soldiers arrive. The soldiers ask about Laia and Darin and threaten the entire camp. The pair decides to turn themselves in, and they learn they are wanted for conspiring against the Marinn kingdom.