Quicksilver

When Saeris wakes early the next morning, Fisher is sitting nearby. They don’t speak but sadly embrace one another. In the library, Lorreth laments the departure of witches from Yvelia a century prior, as only a witch can break Everlayne’s enthrallment and keep her alive long enough for Te Léna to heal her from the venom. Fisher, Ren, and Danya (whose hand is healed) travel to a town that has half-witches who may be of help, while Saeris, Carrion, and Lorreth research other approaches. Te Léna consults with Fisher before he leaves, which Saeris gathers is about his worsening quicksilver condition.

Hours later, Ren returns and reports that the witches nearly agreed to help until Danya insulted them. Fisher remained behind long enough to smooth things over with the one witch, Iseabail, who is strong enough to help Everlayne. Saeris and Carrion insist they want to help with the rescue mission, and, despite the danger, Fisher only puts up a token protest.

Fisher summons Saeris to bed, asking her to forget their disagreement about how to handle his issue with the quicksilver until after they rescue Everlayne. Saeris likes the implication that he will then confront the problem rather than accepting his death as inevitable.