When they staggered out of the Chasm of Lamentations onto Fithan soil, Fiyu had been afraid that they would be unable to survive further attacks, or even a dust storm. But they didn't need to stumble far before House Blacksilver soulcrafters arrived on chariots to take them to safety.

Even though she had been the weakest of them, Fiyu had somehow emerged the most intact. Friend Nauda's soulhome had been dealt terrible damage, and Fiyu grieved with her without being able to express herself fully. Friend Theo had not been injured, yet the battle at the end had seemed to capture him in a way that scoured his mind clean. Perhaps his relatives had never guided him on how to protect himself near overpowering opponents, or perhaps he was simply consumed by thoughts of revenge.

She wished that she could have spoken with her companions about their experiences in the Chasm. So many events had occurred, she felt as though she struggled to contain them all in her mind, and speaking would have helped. Yet they remained mostly silent, only relating the events to their allies with quiet words.

The chariots took them to a secured location, and it was less than an hour before the Authorities emerged. Though Associate Dhan was carrying Associate Karchibol's unconscious body, all three appeared to have survived intact. As soon as they arrived, they traveled back to Norro Yorthin by weirkey, finally escaping all the terrible forces within the Chasm.

This time, returning to the city was even more of a relief than before. Fiyu wished that she could take her friends back to her room, turn out the lights, and simply rest. Unfortunately, they were brought into one of the main halls along with the Authorities to speak to the leadership of the House. All of it passed her by in a haze that she struggled to keep up with, but at least none of them tried to touch her.

As a whole, it seemed that House Blacksilver was pleased with how it had performed in the Chasm. Many other Houses had lost members there, and the Asplundat Movement was largely seen as chastened by the loss of a Stronghold. When Fiyu and her allies revealed just how many sublime materials they had collected, the others were even more enthusiastic. Fiyu felt as though her soul had already been scraped raw, but allowed the Authorities to extract all the unnecessary materials from within her.

While they counted up the value, Fiyu ignored the numbers. She would gladly have given up all of it for Friend Nauda to be uninjured. If only she had another chance, she could have spoken differently with them, suppressed her impulses fully, and then protected them from the chaos. They could have all emerged alive and happy.

"You must realize that the three of you are now among the most valuable young members of House Blacksilver." One of the non-soulcrafter leaders, practically a stranger to her, spoke loudly to get their attention. "Your monthly salaries will be increased, and we will expect great things from you. In addition to your share of the profits, we want to offer each of you an additional boon from the House."

"Can anything be done about the damage?" Friend Nauda spoke up in a ragged voice. All her muscles were so slack, so lifeless... they seemed to strain just to raise her head and look around her. "Parts of my soulhome collapsed entirely... so much of the rest is shattered. Does House Blacksilver have anything that can repair it?"

"Well... you sustained your injury in service to the House, so of course we will do what we can. Perhaps your boon can be a restorative material, though the Authorities will need to research what. And if things don't work out, please rest assured that the House will care for you."

It was the worst thing he could have said, and even those who couldn't feel Friend Nauda's hands clench realized it was a mistake. Fiyu considered putting a hand on her back to try to comfort her, but wasn't sure if that would only make things worse. The official hurried onward, as if he could outrun his mistake.

"What about the two of you? Surely there's something you've had your eye on?"

"You have something called an Esoteric Chisel," Friend Theo answered. "I want it."

"My... the value of that is a bit high, but given what you've accomplished... yes, we'll give it to you, free of merits."

For a moment, Fiyu experienced a surge of anger. It felt wrong that he could simply ask for something he needed when Friend Nauda was in such dire straits. Yet she noticed the tension all throughout his body and knew that there was more to it than that. Friend Theo had fought alongside them at every turn, had even abandoned the scepter in order to save her. He understood that he was fighting a war against a terrible opponent, one that she had now seen with her own eyes.

Some time later, Fiyu realized that they were trying to get her attention. She blinked in confusion, knowing that they must be asking her about a boon but unable to pull her thoughts together. To her surprise, it was Associate Dhan who saved her.

"Perhaps her boon can be one of the sublime materials we won from the plain," he said, withdrawing what appeared to be a jagged piece of metal from his soul. "This is subliminalsteel, powerful enough to have a place in even my soulhome. But given her techniques, perhaps it would be even better utilized in hers."

Everyone except Fiyu agreed that this was a very good decision and she took the metal quietly. It did feel powerful, but she didn't want to think about it now, much less try to absorb anything into her creaking soulhome. Instead she held it on her lap to ward off anyone who tried to talk to her too much. Unfortunately, no one gave them permission to leave before the others started to discuss the future.

Most of it appeared to be local politics, conflicts between Houses. Fiyu only listened to the parts about the House of Burning Leaves, wondering if they would begin a vendetta, but the Fithans did not seem to think it was such a betrayal. She had almost forgotten the conversation entirely when Friend Theo spoke up.

"What did you say about Tymetron?"

They didn't answer his question immediately, shifting uncomfortably, but they couldn't ignore it after praising him so much. Eventually one of the officials spoke up. "Some of the other continents sent representatives, including Tymetron. One of their soulcrafters was apparently assassinated after leaving the Chasm, and they have vowed revenge. It's said that they have a truly terrible soulcrafter against whom no one can stand, who-"

"Myths and legends." Associate Karchibol sat limply and looked pale, but he was strong enough to let out a snort. "They tell stories about castles made of gold on other continents. Whatever House exists there, it will not cross entire continents and seas to deal with this matter."

"Maybe not," a different official said quietly. "But the House of the Lost and the Asplundat Movement are both roused and they might take action. House Crimson is actively expressing willingness to part with Norro Yorthin. If someone did push in from outside..."

"That is a matter for the far future." Associate Dhan brought a fist down onto the table. "It would take years for any outside pressure to work through local conflicts, and we have wars with the mud Fithans to deal with. Norro Yorthin must be concerned for itself first."

Some nodded in response, and Fiyu agreed with a much more restricted version of his statement. Whatever wars or foes the future brought them, all that mattered was her and her companions.