Rebel Witch

When Rune and Gideon disembark in the New Republic, she claims that she wishes to return to her home at Wintersea House. However, Gideon reveals that the Commander’s son, Noah Creed, took up residence there after Rune fled. Instead, he offers her accommodations at his apartment. There, she studies a wooden figurine on his bookshelves. Gideon admits that his father carved it for his sister, Tessa, before Cressida killed her.

Shortly after they arrive, the Blood Guard appears on Gideon’s doorstep. Though Rune panics, believing they’ve come for her, Gideon insists that they’ve come for him because he didn’t assassinate her as planned. He helps her onto the roof, where she hides while the Blood Guard searches his apartment. Rune watches as soldiers walk him out of his apartment, his hands bound in front of him. They force him onto a horse and escort him to the palace.

Gideon is taken to Good Commander Noah Creed’s study, where Noah and Harrow wait. Harrow has just informed Noah that she has a witch contact who infiltrated Cressida’s ranks. The contact revealed that Soren gave Cressida an army that will set sail to lay siege to the New Republic within several days. Soren’s initial war chest has doubled since Rune’s kidnapping.