She worried about her own breathing. It was not yet strained, but she wondered what they would do if she collapsed. Would they keep their promise or would they throw her through the portal and consider the matter finished.

  "If your breathing grows shallow," the man said, "transform into a form that does not require air. It will keep you safe."

  She accepted the offer without thanks. They seemed like kind people, but so did Mirab.

  True to their word, the other man returned within minutes. He was accompanied by another man. The newcomer wore black clothing as well, but the band on his sleeves was pale blue. He watched Eluvie as he flew over, mouth gaping slightly, like she was a magically oversized fish.

  When he landed, before the woman, and turned to speak with her, he turned his body first, while his eyes remained on Eluvie. He had already begun speaking before he noticed his odd position and rectified it. He spoke to the woman in their strange language, using quick, short sentences. She responded with longer sentences that seemed to be explaining something.

  While she watched the exchange, she found room in her mind to wonder at their reaction to her. For the first time since the encounter, she was calm enough to wonder if they knew her. Supposedly, this was the place she had come from. This place had sent her out on a trial. Her "rank" was even high enough to terrify magical creatures and open the gateway unaided. Of course, these people knew her. The new man had not stared at any of the humans. From the moment he had seen her, he had watched her and nobody else.

  There was nothing odd about her, so the clearest explanation was that he knew her.

  The man finished speaking to the woman. But instead of speaking to her, he rose into the air and flew off across the river.

  "He has gone to consult with his superior," the woman said, a hint of humor in her tone. "We do not receive many human visitors."

  Eluvie wanted to question her, but she held her voice. If her suspicions were correct, they knew her and were concealing that fact. In that case, the direct approach would yield little. Like the invisible voices who refused to interact with her, she could drive them into unhelpful silence.

  The other man soon returned with yet another man in tow. This one's clothing was sparkling white with deep blue bands around his sleeves. Eluvie took note of the colors in case they meant something. The latest man exchanged very few words with the group before as well.

  Eluvie felt the first stirrings of irritation.

  This time, the man was gone for a long time. Eluvie estimated that nearly half an hour passed before he returned. He brought two more people, both dressed in white with dark blue sleeves. Presumably, they were of equal rank with him.

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  They formed a huddle with all the other Illrum and engaged in spirited conversation. Eluvie eventually grew so annoyed that she contemplated interrupting them. But something stopped her: she heard the word 'Isei'. They used it multiple times. She could not tell if each instance referred to her. Perhaps - and most likely - several people held that rank. But its occurrence triggered her curiosity and overpowered her impatience.

  Finally, the conversation ended, and one of the latest arrivals approached Eluvie.

  “Might I ask your name?” she asked.

  You already know it, Eluvie thought. But she concealed her annoyance. I’m playing the long game.

  “Eluvie,” she said.

  The woman responded with a bright, gentle smile. “I am Chi Marina. I will be frank with you, Eluvie. You have placed us in a difficult situation. We never allow humans into our home. You have not been here an hour, but you have already shown such obscenely violent character that my juniors had no response. I have the power to throw you and your companions out in an instant. Back in your barbaric homeland, you may club, stab, and strangle each other to your hearts’ content. I am restrained by one thing only: hospitality.”

  The woman took a deep breath.

  “While I worry about the harm you may do to my juniors, I cannot conscientiously send two warring parties to their deaths without offering the help that is available to me. So, this is what we will do.”

  She gestured to the group gathered behind her. “My juniors will find suitable accommodations for you and your companions. Naturally, we will house you separately. We will nurse them to health and hold one mediation session between you. After the session, no matter the results, you will be sent back to your homes. This is the extent of the assistance we can provide. For two days, we will keep you from killing each other and attempt to help you settle your grievances. That will keep us from being accessories to your bloodshed. Do you have any objections?”

  Eluvie interpreted her statement like this: “We will nurse your enemies back to health and then beg them not to harm you. Then, once they are healthy, we will send them through the gateway in good enough condition to harm you.”

  Eluvie smiled and nodded. “That is perfectly reasonable,” she said.

  The woman did not seem fooled.

  “My juniors will educate you on our laws,” she said. “But they are very simple. Do not harm anyone and do not display your violent tendencies where the young ones might observe them. Break this law and we will confine you in your accommodations until you are expelled. Is that clear?”

  Eluvie nodded again.

  “Then, I will entrust you to them,” the woman said. “Guira Maso, Guira Yira, come forward.”

  Two Illrum hurried forward. One was the man who was still restraining her, and the other was his female counterpart.

  “Have her situated,” the woman said. “I trust that you will do this task with the diligence befitting your rank.” She turned her gaze from Eluvie to them and addressed them in a chilling tone. “If you fail, it will mean that you lack the maturity to be Guira. You will get the choice between a demotion and a fresh trial.”

  Both Illrum looked as if she had threatened them with a hanging.

  The woman, Yira, spoke up. “I have a lot of duties—”

  “Is that cowardice?” the woman asked. “I had heard that you were being considered for elevation to Eyi. Should I be concerned for you?”

  Yira fell abruptly silent.

  Eluvie wanted to point out that bullying subordinates was unbecoming for a leader of a peaceful society, but she too held her tongue.The woman instructed some other people to handle the guards and rulers, then she flew off.