With that, the Company take their leave of Marlona. Many questions are still unanswered: what is to become of the Prelate, Flin Polas, who was arrested by the Illumination? How long will the Illumination remain in the city? Was the evil man they fought the one called "Zai'alar" and why was he in the town? Does he know of the presence of the Banewarrens? Why did he show such disdain and fear of Uso? What of the presence of the wererats, the cultists who summoned the worms and gibbering mouthers, and the fiendish divine spellcaster who belonged to the Sampuri Brotherhood? Are all of these forces related and aligned, or were their presences in Marlona all merely coincidental?
The 26th of Ebupell
Upon leaving the city, the Company encounter the three Jade Elves (Sha'arim, Ri'iar, and Al-aram) whom they met in the forest on the way from Colina Justa to Barrid. Again, the Jade Elves seem unconcerned with the rest of the Company except for a brief acknowledgement of Sebastian, to whom they ask simply, "Have you told your friends yet?". Uso tells them all that has happened regarding recent events. The Jade Elves explain that the evil spellcaster is Zai'alari, a ancient evil spellcaster who was imprisoned millennia ago by the ancestors of the elven people. He is the one who escaped from the ancient tomb/prison that the Company came across when they found the dead bodies of Ikinya and Tennyson. The Jade Elves still seem to hold contempt for the Company for not tracking down and destroying the ancient spellcaster. After a few more words with Uso, they leap over the city walls and disappear without a sound.
The 26th of Ebupell through the 2nd of Saarh
The Company travel back to Barrid.
The 2nd of Saarh (evening)
The Company enter Barrid and note the increased presence of town guards. They check in with Ferdinand at the Flying Pig, who gives Rafe a letter which says simply, "We know that you're back." Ferdinand explains that the letter was actually left there awhile back. He also explains that the presence of the town guards has been steadily increasing, and he believes it is by order of the King.
The 3rd of Saarh
Sebastian, Uso, Grumash, and B'gokktem go to the poor part of town to follow up on a rumor that Oricarto has been seen walking around at night. They encounter Ocaldio de Prottes, the priest who replaced Oricarto. He is still not very bright but explains that he has also heard rumors that Oricarto is walking around at night. He doesn't believe the rumors because he knows that Oricarto was buried per �tonist custom.
Jeremi and Rafe go to visit the Jimalate, Cristobal Arino. At his estate there are still an increased presence of personal guards. When Arino finally decides to meet with them, he is condescending as usual but very interested to learn that Jeremi has stumbled upon a lead as to the location of the Banewarrens. He orders Jeremi to use the libraries in the city to find the location of "Sinjapur" as mentioned in the book that Jeremi found in Marlona. The most startling thing about the Jimalate is that he is, in fact, no longer a Jimalate but he now wears the robes of the Illumination. He is a Junior Illuminator and a member of the Illumination Council. He explains that shortly after he received the Chalice from Jeremi, the �tonist leadership saw fit to transfer him to the Illumination. He seems very proud of his new role in the faith, but orders Jeremi to continue working on discovering the location of the Banewarrens. He seems very concerned that the evil entities that the Company fought in Marlona may be searching for the Banewarrens.
With that, Jeremi and Rafe take their leave of the Junior Illuminator and rejoin the Company. As they stride into the Flying Pig for their afternoon meal, Sebastian is surprised to note that his father is sitting in the common room, seemingly waiting for his son.
