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“Where did you get that?” Opal stood abruptly, rattling the tea set on the table.

“It was with my mother’s things.”

“And who gave it to her?”

Avera frowned. “I assumed she inherited it. Why?”

“How did I not see this?” Opal murmured.

“You said it yourself, you don’t see everything.” Never mind the oddity of speaking of Opal’s supposed ability to see the future.

“It must be one of the lost talismans of power, but where did it come from?” muttered the old lady. “It had to have been Basil. That tricky man. It explains how he managed to climb the Spire and evade the hexes that turn all but the heirs and guardians away.”

“Will it work to free my companions?”

“Perhaps. I don’t know.” A reply that knitted Opal’s brow. “The objects of power are few and their purpose is forgotten.”

“It seemed to snap them out of the mist’s spell before.”

“Perhaps it will once more,” Opal mused aloud. “I guess we will soon find out since you insist on being stubborn.”

“Will I be attacked if I descend into the city?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Are there any guards?”

Opal shook her head. “No. The compulsion is what keeps them working.”

“When you say working, you mean melting the ice.”

“Yes. They are in charge of keeping the fires lit. Hence why some are in the tunnels, mining coal for burning. Some are siphoning oil, the dark kind that comes from the Earth.” She waved to her hearth. “Any scrap they have goes onto the pyres. The only good news is that it will take some time before they make it down far enough for Zhos to escape, but that doesn’t mean you can dally.”

“I’ll leave once I’ve freed my friends. This passage through the mountain, where can I find it?”

“Traverse the ledge to the other side and find a tall boulder. Shove it aside to find the tunnel. Follow it, always choosing the left fork, and it will lead you to the foothills on the other side of the Spire. From there, it will be a short journey to reach the bay.”

“Can my horse fit in this passageway?”

Opal stared at her. “You’re going free your horse, too?”

“I’m not leaving Luna behind to be barbecued.”

Her vehement statement had Opal sighing. “Yes, the tunnels are large enough for horses, so long as you travel single file, but be warned, dangers are lurking.”

“Of course there are,” Avera muttered.

“Spiders are the most dangerous, but you’ll want to watch for the rats as well.”

Spiders and rats didn’t sound too bad.

“One last thing, how am I supposed to pay for my sea voyage? I hardly think a ship’s captain will allow me to travel for free, not to mention my destination will cause issue.”

“I have no coin. No need for it here. Surely you can—” Opal paused and cocked her head. Her eyes went unfocussed, and she murmured, “Zhos knows you’re here.”

A chilling thing to hear. “It’s not like it can do anything about it. It’s still frozen in that block of ice and the mist doesn’t affect me so long as I have my amulet.”

“It can’t act directly, no, but its servants can.”