A River Enchanted

Sidra visits Una, the blacksmith who forges enchanted blades, bringing her a tonic to mitigate the negative effects of using magic. The two discuss their children, and whether the spirits are behind the missing girls. Sidra hears the wind whisper as she leaves the forge.

Jack waits for Adaira in the music turret of the castle. He peruses the music and mourns the quiet left by the death of Lorna. He then sees a sealed letter from the Breccans on the table and wonders why the Breccans would write to Adaira. After an hour of waiting for Adaira, he decides he’s been stood up, and goes into the street, where one of the city folks tells him another girl has gone missing; she doesn’t know who. Jack runs home in a panic to find Frae safe but shaken by the news that another girl is gone. He plays her a song on his harp to soothe her, then continues to play for the entire afternoon while Frae and Mirin weave. He then begins to study the Song of the Tides, Lorna’s song that could summon the spirits.

Catriona Mitchell, age five, is the latest missing girl who haunts Torin. He follows her trail and finds a strange crimson flower.