The Blue Door

The heirs set out in their caravan as they make their way to their safehouse in Soleilae. On the way, they stop at a tavern where two nobles are participating in a bout of "Flyting" where they playfully and verbally mock each other in verse. Despite good attempts, one of the lords is disqualified for breaking verse.

As the King's Hand takes their time to rest, Cailynn approaches Edwinn and sees him reading. It is an old tome that has guided him for many years, and he is trying to double down on his efforts of being a good cleric. Cailynn suggests that he is spending too much time in his books, and is missing out on the opportunities around him to try and better himself. Edwinn decides to give Cailynn's idea a chance, with Cailynn keeping the book for safekeeping.

The next day, the caravan is joined by a group known as The Harkers, a group of wandering nomads and storytellers, known for selling all kinds of various items to anyone interested. Edwinn approaches a cleric in the caravan, and the two discuss what it means to be of service and how to be a cleric, with Edwinn wanting to learn how to help something regenerate. The two speak for some time, and Edwinn is invited to join her and her fellow clerics while they travel.

The King's Hand takes an opportunity to rest, deciding to see what the Harkers have to sell and say. After buying various items, Edwinn inquires about his mother. He learns of a woman with the same name who owned an inn. However, the Harker admits that she was gone before they ever arrived and physically met her, leaving much of the mystery still standing.

Marik whistles the song of the Sanguine, and the storyteller admits that it is a new tale, and one surrounded by death, but is unable to offer much else. Marik departs, and the storyteller warns the other siblings that Marik might have a day where he is unable to resist the call to the sea.

The caravan soon passes through Solebreuve, a location where the undead rise every night in an attempt to reclaim the artifacts that were taken from their tombs. They are dispatched by local Soleili soldiers, who have grown incredibly proficient at killing the creatures over the years. Cailynn and Xanthe both speak to the captain of this group, with Cailynn learning that the artifacts are taken and not returned because of the benefits they provide to Soleili studies. Meanwhile, Xanthe learns more about how the soldiers function, wanting to take some of their techniques and discipline, with the hopes of transferring it to the Ederian Watch back home.

On a stop in the Whispering Woods, Cailynn approaches Xanthe and tries to offer some kind words about her horn, relating it to the incident where Cailynn lost her hand. Cailynn opens up about how she came home one day to find men holding her mother with a knife to her throat. Cailynn tried to save her mother, and somehow lost her hand in the process, though can't remember the exact way it happened. Xanthe assures Cailynn that she will not grow used to losing, as she says only the hells will claim her should she fail.

As they neared Colline, the caravan is stopped by a man named David Lorent from the Royal Office of Intelligence. He stops the group to question them about their knowledge of Captain Roquette and the attack that took place. The heirs provide most of the truth of what took place, hoping that Roquette would be captured and executed for her crimes. David stops his questions when he believes that he upset Xanthe, realizing the events he is making her relive. He wishes the group well before departing back to his own base of operations.

Finally arriving in Colline, the King's Hand make their way to the safe haven Viktor promised. However, upon opening the door Xanthe was caught in a rope trap, with a scared Captain Lysette Moreau questioning if the group worked for the Ember Hierophant…