Commander General, you are called to answer
for the escape of the prisoner, Tamacti Jun.
Tamacti Jun was not my prisoner.
- But Baba Voss was. - Baba Voss was an enemy of the Republic.
Who should have been put on trial
and executed expeditiously, as the law requires.
Had you done that, he never would have had the opportunity
to escape with Tamacti Jun.
The Witchfinder was a potential source
of great intelligence for us on the Payan queen's larger strategy
and military assets.
Do you have any idea how they managed to escape?
Such a devastating breach in our security is unheard of.
They must have had help. Someone on the inside.
Then we must ferret out the traitor, or traitors,
and make an example of them.
If there are traitors, I will find them.
General Voss, you have served this council
with great honor and valor for many years,
but your obsession with the rumors of the return of sight,
your personal vendetta with your brother, they must be put aside.
The Ganites grow ever more bold in the west.
You are our greatest tactician.
We need you focused on the true threats to this republic.
Do you understand?
Yes. I understand, sir.
I want you to question every guard who came in contact
with Baba Voss or Tamacti Jun.
I already did, sir. They didn't have anything useful to offer.
Well, then question them again. Someone will break.
Yes, sir.
Who's there?
- It's okay. - Oloman?
It's okay.
Another bad dream?
You don't understand.
The dreams are beautiful.
I can see the world, my children.
It's when I wake up that the nightmare starts.
We're still here, Father.
We'd never leave you.
Have you found a way to fix this?
I know it can be done with the right equipment.
We simply don't have the machines, the technology to do the things you ask.
Have you forgotten everything that I taught you?
It's been my life's work to build this place.
Through setbacks and overwhelming odds, I persevered.
Now you…
You must rise to the challenge.
Take what seems impossible and make it possible.
You must dedicate your every waking moment to restoring my sight
so that I can fulfill my destiny.
Now, it won't happen overnight,
and I was wrong to make you feel like it should.
We must both settle in and persevere.
No matter how long it takes.
Yes, Father.
All right.
Now, your morning report?
Now?
Our work here continues, does it not?
Of course it does, it's just...
I may be injured, but I am not compromised.
And you shouldn't treat me as such, or the children might follow suit.
And the Trivantians…
The Trivantians…
They must not know of my injury.
It is their fear of my abilities that keeps them in check.
Do you understand?
Yes, Father.
Good.
Then… your morning report.
Well, Nonni has moved on to quadratic equations.
- Ah. - She's very smart.
I started her on the text that you suggested.
She took to it like a moth to a flame.
They left before the agreed-upon time. Something must have happened.
We don't have time to search for them.
Our priority must be to find Princess Maghra.
Princess Maghra? What is he talking about?
If he is to be believed, your mother is sister to the queen.
- Queen Kane? That is ridiculous. - I know it is hard to believe.
What's hard to believe is that you didn't tear him to pieces the moment you met him.
I did consider it.
- This could be a trap, Papa. - Yes.
And yet you allow him to lead us. Why?
For the same reasons I came to find you in Trivantes.
She's my wife, Haniwa.
It's the only woman I will ever love.
And if there's the smallest chance that she's alive…
I understand.
But if he is lying, then I want to kill him with you.
I give you my word.
And if he is not lying, then my mother is a Payan princess.
How could that be?
I do not have answers.
I trust your mother will explain once we find her.
Come.
Three horses, two dogs.
- Trivantians? - Witchfinders.
If they hurt my son...
Witchfinders serve the pleasure of the queen.
If Maghra is with the queen, then their orders will be
to find and retrieve her children.
- But the queen would have them burned. - No.
I learned that the queen issued a new decree.
The sighted are no longer to be considered witches.
So where do we go?
East. There's a Witchfinder camp nearby.
They'll know where the queen is settled.
Pennsa.
What?
They took Kofun to Pennsa.
- Did he leave you a sign? - Yes.
Pennsa.
Highly fortified, prosperous, strategically located.
I would guess the queen has consecrated a new capital.
What is this vital matter that couldn't wait, Lord Harlan?
I don't mean to be alarmist,
but when Your Majesty's personal safety's at stake,
I'd rather be guilty of overreacting than complacency.
Must everything with you include a speech?
I'll keep it brief. I promise.
I want you to hear this firsthand.
I only ask that you stay very, very still.
If he knows you're here, I fear he won't speak freely.
I'll be silent as a spider.
Lord Harlan, this is Zechan, the man who requested the audience.
Thank you, Kerrigan.
Is someone else in the room?
A trusted servant loyal to me.
Where are you from, Zechan?
Kanzua, sir.
And you were a palace sentry at Kanzua?
Yes, sir. For over 20 years.
So you were there when the Trivantians attacked?
I was there when Kanzua fell.
But the thing of it is, there was no attack.
Then how did the dam come to be destroyed?
I can't say for sure, sir.
All I know is, there were no Trivantians.
I don't understand.
It was a regular day.
Birds and wind.
Not once did I hear the sound of Trivantian stingers.
No war cries.
So if it wasn't the Trivantians, who was responsible?
You have to understand, sir.
My father was a guard at Kanzua, as was his father before him.
We have served the monarchy for generations.
I understand. I understand.
It's all right.
Say what you came to say, soldier.
I knew those buildings inside and out, every passageway, who had access.
And I believe that the only person who could have released the waters…
Was the queen herself.
Lord Harlan, you do have a flair for the dramatic.
This kind of talk, you know…
left unchecked, it can spread like a plague.
And if the people doubt your account of Kanzua,
they will doubt the sighted child you spoke of,
and your mandate from God.
All of it.
You will make sure that won't happen.
It's the least I can do if it threatens my queen.
And just think how much more vigilant I'd be
if it threatened the sister of my own wife.
Urgent message for you, my queen.
Come.
Rest assured, Harlan, you'll have your bride.
Sibeth, please. I have no fight left in me right now.
Relax, Sister. I come bearing good news.
Kofun has been found.
My soldiers are making their way back here with him as we speak.
What? When will they arrive?
What about Haniwa and Baba Voss?
No sign of them, I'm afraid.
That doesn't make sense.
He would have kept them together at all costs.
Unless he no longer could.
And now that Kofun will be joining us,
we are faced with the issue of his safety.
Safety?
As you witnessed, it will take some time before the people embrace the new way.
You had no such concerns about Boots.
Boots is nobody.
Just the father of your child.
What?
I can hear your heartbeat growing faster, Sibeth.
But only your heart.
The baby.
You lost the baby.
Sibeth. I'm so sorry.
Your child returns while mine has decided not to come at all.
Which does put us in a somewhat difficult position.
If word gets out that I'm not with child,
the protection of sighted children will be called into question
even more than it already is.
Kofun's safety will not be ensured.
I don't understand this conversation.
- Are you threatening my son? - On the contrary.
I'll do everything in my power to protect my nephew.
But if the people rise against me, against us,
there'll be no one left to protect him.
This is about Harlan.
An alliance with Lord Harlan guarantees us control over a united military
that will serve as the ultimate deterrent to any talk of revolution.
Why are you so insistent on this? What aren't you telling me?
Apparently, there are survivors of Kanzua.
- If word spreads… - Word will spread.
The only question is how well positioned we will be to quell any unrest
to assert our authority when it does.
A man in Harlan's position, he could pour the water or fan flames,
depending on where his interests lie.
And right now, what he wants is you.
Sister. I know what I'm asking of you.
-I wouldn't ask it, but... -Shh. Just... Just…
Fine.
I'll agree to this charade as long as Harlan understands
it's simply an arrangement of convenience.
As all marriages are.
I still can't imagine my mother as a princess.
Maghra Kane was born to rule.
Her father's daughter in every way.
Yet you hunted her like an animal.
No.
My charge was to find the witch, Jerlamarel, and then his children.
Maghra was believed to be dead.
- We should camp here. - We just started walking.
It's a difficult passage up through the foothills.
Your father will need rest.
Do not speak for me, Witchfinder.
Okay, then I'll speak for myself.
Like you, I've lost blood. Like you, I haven't eaten in days.
And although I haven't been whipped on the rack like you...
Shh! Tamacti.
- What do you see, my love? - Cages of the God bone.
- Shit. - What?
It's a Slaver's den.
- You know this place from before? - No, I do not.
Tamacti, we must move quickly. Come.
Papa, it's okay. There's no one coming.
They're already here.
Stand where you are.
Greetings, friend.
If we are trespassing, I apologize.
We have no intentions other than to get to the eastern foothills.
What's your business in the foothills?
The Yuree cattle markets.
You may go.
Thank you.
Not you, girl.
Papa!
You'll be taught obedience, girl.
Who's there? Speak!
Catch your breath, Baba. You are safe.
Paris!
Haniwa!
- Paris. Who fights with us? - Baba.
I will explain more when we are somewhere safe.
- Where's Kofun? - Kofun has gone on to Pennsa.
And I have important news.
Maghra is alive.
- You've heard? - Yes.
You should've went with Kofun.
Well, then where would you be now, you big lump?
- We'll go now. - No.
You're not fit to travel.
I hear deep pain in your voice.
You must rest and heal before we can make this journey.
Baba Voss.
- Oh. Ooh. - Paris, wait.
- Tamacti Jun. - Paris.
The Witchfinder general.
What a find.
After we kill him, I'll keep his ears as a trophy.
No. We need his help.
We never would have made it out of Trivantes without him.
- He's no longer one of them. - Even if that were true...
He can track the queen's soldiers. He's helping me find Maghra.
We are not bringing a Witchfinder home with us.
We're not going anywhere with you. We're going to Pennsa.
Haniwa, your father needs rest. Even now, his breath fails him.
Papa.
Where is this home?
It does not matter. We are going straight to Pennsa.
Baba, we have made camp nearby.
Rest for the night. Then we go on to Pennsa from there.
You cannot really mean that we will travel with the Witchfinder.
Where we go, he goes. Yes?
So be it.
Vienna, Quito, return home.
Inform them that we are going on to Pennsa.
Charlotte, to the camp.
Some 200 years ago,
a small number of Payan children were born with vision.
Their mothers fled to the mountains to hide them from the Witchfinders.
But eventually they were found and burned.
Those grieving mothers formed the Compass.
It's a secret society of guardians
whose membership is passed on from mother to daughter.
We've remained a secret for generations,
standing by, ready to take on the sacred duty
of protecting the sighted when vision returns.
And how many sighted children have you met?
Counting you? One.
And that is one more than my mother or her mother met.
I never imagined it would happen in my lifetime, but it has.
Paris, what do you have to do with them?
That is a long story. And a sad one.
You were one of them.
Yes, I was.
A lifetime ago.
No one ever blamed you, Paris.
Nevertheless, it was my responsibility.
The curse of every Presage I've ever met.
You all think you're responsible for knowing everything before it happens.
Is it true that Queen Kane decreed the sighted are no longer witches?
That's the talk.
This queen's proclamation is ill-conceived.
Bigotry cannot be changed by decree.
If anything, she's made you even more of a target.
Which may be as she intended.
I guess he needed to sleep.
So do I.
Which is why I put enough valerian root in his ale to knock out a horse.
'Cause if he's not snoring, I'm up all night with my ropes in my hand.
More grub anybody?
Come on, Toad. You took the same oath we did.
To seek out and destroy the witches no matter the cost.
We serve the queen, Dax. We follow her orders.
Not when the orders are heresy.
God Flame first, Queen second.
Dax is right. This feels wrong.
- We're breaking the law. - We've been tasked with his safety.
He's the queen's nephew.
What do you think she'll do to the man who harms him? Hmm?
We cannot ride into Pennsa with a witch,
we'll be shunned or burned as heretics right beside him.
Don't be an idiot.
We should be gutting him, not escorting him.
You don't wanna kill him? Fine, don't kill him.
Let's just leave him here and say he ran away.
Let the forest have him.
Come on, Toad. You know he's right.
No.
What he is is one word away from an insubordination charge and a demotion.
And he'll take you right down with him.
Shut your mouths and do your fucking jobs.
And if you're lucky,
I'll forget this conversation happened by the time we reach Pennsa.
You should announce yourself.
Apologies, Princess.
I keep forgetting it's not my house anymore.
Uh-huh. Whistle sword, weapon of kings.
And their daughters.
You sent for me?
Yes, I did.
-This marriage proposal of yours... -I made no such proposal.
Well, my sister did it for you.
That is unfortunate.
Let me assure you, I had something more romantic in mind.
- I have a husband. - We all have our flaws.
I tend to snore if I sleep on my back. But piece of advice...
- Harlan. Harlan. - …a swift kick will usually shut me up,
- so I'm told. - Harlan!
What is it you're really after?
I come from a rich tradition of men
who fought for crumbs at the feet of the monarchy.
Now, I worked tirelessly for many years
to get something better for myself.
It took some doing, believe me.
And now, in walks the queen,
and she screws it all up with this war of hers.
And I find myself with two choices.
One: I stoke the fires of rebellion and burn down the whole palace,
or two: I join you and move into it.
After much consideration, Princess, I've reached a conclusion.
Number two is a lot less work.
You're wooing the wrong sister.
- I'm wooing the better sister. - Sibeth is the one with the power.
For now.
- We will announce an engagement. - Excellent.
But there will be no wedding.
Not to put too fine a point on it...
The engagement will ease my sister's concerns
about Kanzua for the time being.
You will use your influence with the council
to help me stop her from going to war.
And once my husband and my daughter are found,
you will make sure that they are protected at all costs.
And in exchange?
I will convince Sibeth to make her capital in a more suitable city,
and you will have yours back.
Maghra.
I believe I underestimated you.
Well, I hope I've done the same.
Time will tell, Princess.
- Chet-chet. - Oh. Chet-chet. Ah.
- Hot tea. - Ah. Mmm.
Oh.
Mmm.
So, you were a Compass warrior?
Guardian. Lost the appetite for it long ago.
Why did you leave?
When I was with the Compass, Haniwa, it was a thrilling time.
Two hundred years without reports of a sighted child,
and then suddenly there appeared a boy.
I was assigned to protect him.
He was gifted beyond his sight.
I mean, his young mind just cried out for knowledge…
like yours did.
I broke the rules.
I allowed him access to the artifacts we stored.
Books…
And the knotted codes that would teach him to read.
Soon, I couldn't find enough books to satisfy his hunger for knowledge.
I woke up one day and he was gone,
along with the books and the knotted codes.
I failed the Compass.
I failed in the thing that I was sworn to do.
So I did the only thing I could. I left.
Do you know what became of him? The boy?
He became your father.
Jerlamarel.
Yes.
Years later, as your mother carried you, Jerlamarel found me.
He knew I was Alkenny.
He knew I would protect and guide his children.
And make sure we knew how to read.
I'm hoping that was the right choice.
Of course it was.
Sight is as much a part of me
- as your hands are a part of you. - Ooh.
It would be wrong for me not to read.
Dear one…
Humankind has a long history...
A long history of despising and fearing those who are different.
Nobody chooses how they're born.
And yet the unsighted persecute the sighted.
If one day the sighted outnumber the unsighted again,
the roles will reverse.
It is one of the many ways in which we all are very much the same.
Mmm.
What are you doing?
My job, witch.
- Toad! - Shut up.
Hold him still!
Come on, witch!
Toad!
Dax! Frye! What the fuck are you doing?
Fall in!
Toad!
Frye! Stop, Frye.
Toad! Toad!
Toad! Toad! Toad!
Toad! Toad!
Toad. Toad.
- Dax. Dax! - Toad.
Frye?
- Frye! - Stay down, Dax.
What'd you do?
Stay the fuck down.
You killed him.
And I'll kill you too if you don't stand down right now.
What's wrong with you? You're a Witchfinder protecting a witch!
I'm not gonna tell you again, Dax!
Stand the fuck down! Now!
I'm leaving.
I want no part of this.
If you wanna desert, take your horse and go.
But if you attempt to interfere with this mission,
I will kill you where you stand.
- Toad. - Shut up.
Can you ride a horse?
Not really.
Well, I hope you're a quick learner.
'Cause you're not riding with me.
Why didn't you kill Edo when you had the chance?
Killing a brother would be like killing a part of yourself.
Like killing your own father?
Mmm.
My father ordered me to kill Edo.
And I made a choice.
If you were protecting Edo, then why does he hate you so much?
Family can be complicated.
Well…
I was just kidnapped by my uncle
and found out that my mom is a princess.
I think I know something about complicated families.
Mmm.
My mother died giving birth to Edo.
And my father never forgave him for that.
I was just a young boy, almost too young to remember her.
And too young to question my father's point of view.
You asked for me, sir?
The girl, Haniwa, is an archer.
Is she?
She put three arrows in me.
My brother has raised two of Jerlamarel's children.
That is a dangerous combination.
A group of Slavers was killed at a den in Munhall today.
You think it was them?
Baba's hurt. He's tired. He won't be moving very fast.
Send word to every outpost in the area…
That I want Baba and the girl brought back to me alive.
Yes, sir.
Lieutenant?
Any word on who helped them escape?
No, sir. Nothing yet.
That's odd, Wren. That's very odd.
But I think I might have an idea about that.
Keep me informed.
Yes, sir.
- Toad. - What?
Thank you for saving my life.
Your gratitude is misplaced.
You're Princess Maghra's son, and I'm duty bound to protect you.
I had no choice.
You had a choice.
Give me the map.
It'll take 13 days to get to Pennsa if the weather holds.
We can get there in half that time.
What? How?
This way.
There's a cliff.
Yes, according to the map.
But there is no cliff. We can go straight through.
And how do you know that?
They make the maps.
- Oh. - That's how we've kept our outpost
hidden all these centuries from bastards like you.
Haniwa?
I am charged with your protection at any cost.
You will always stay behind me.
Always behind me.
Your father always behind you.
I don't need a guardian. I can take care of myself.
You were almost made a breeding machine in Trivantes.
And I got out.
And nearly lost your head at a Slaver's camp.
At this rate, I expect you'll be dead within the week.
Oh, Haniwa.
Just don't get in my way.
You're the sighted one. Don't get in mine.
Ah. Always behind me. Your father always behind you.
Paris.
Jasmine.
Burnt sage.
Mmm.
Rain across the meadows.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I had heard that the Pennsan Scent Chefs were among the best in the land.
And now I know it to be true.
I hope you all enjoyed the performance.
I've learned that even in our darkest hours,
we must find time to appreciate the beauty and joy
with which the God Flame blesses us.
Even now, with the struggle that lies ahead,
there is beauty to be found.
There is love.
And so it is with great joy
that I share with you, the esteemed members of my court,
that my sister, Princess Maghra Kane, has been betrothed
to none other than your very own Lord Harlan of Pennsa.
I thought we were going to announce this.
Yeah, I thought so too.
And we will all bear witness to their marriage
on the fourth God Flame rising from today.
♪ We are Payan ♪
- Were you part of this? - No.
♪ We are holy ♪
I'm not sure I believe you.
Well, Princess, at some point, you're gonna have to trust me.
You better give me a reason to.
♪ We are chosen ♪
Father.
What is it?
The general is here.
What?
Edo Voss is here?
He just arrived with some soldiers.
He must not know that I am compromised.
General Voss. This is quite a surprise.
Really?
I half thought you'd be expecting me.
And why's that?
Someone walked into my prison and walked out with Baba Voss.
You captured Baba Voss?
We had him.
Until we didn't.
It's no small thing to outmaneuver the guards
and navigate passages of a Trivantian prison
unless one has the gift of sight.
And you are accusing me? Why in the world would I free Baba Voss?
Where's the son?
The son?
The son you refused to send with my men when they were here.
- I'd like him now. - Listen to me.
The trap you set brought Baba Voss to my door.
He killed my guards and took my son by force.
Baba Voss was here and he left you alive?
Even after you gave away his daughter?
He had no choice. He was outnumbered.
What is this? What is this?
And why does the boy answer when I am speaking to the father?
And why aren't you moving around like you usually do when we meet,
to lord your gift over me?
It's almost as if...
Listen, General, if you came all this way, just...
Let him go! Let him go.
- General. - Quiet.
He took your sight.
A temporary injury.
One that will soon be healed.
No.
It will not.
No!
No! No!
I will kill you. I swear to God, I will kill you.
Put aside your grief, Oloman.
It falls on you now to protect the rest of your family.
To do that, you'll need a clear head.
This house belongs to me now.
You, the books, the knowledge, all of it.
Tormada!
Mmm.
This is Tormada. He's one of our greatest scientists.
You work for him now.