Ashlords

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal cruelty and death and graphic violence.

Pippa is not mad at her mother for cheating; she is angry that she was not given a choice. She yearns for her new life with Bravos. When she is ready, Pippa goes to the powder room, where she has five clockturns to select her component powders. She remembers her mother’s advice: Pick two combinations that make the most sense and one wildcard component.

She selects Gasping Glories for a horse with a healthy heart and lungs. Lingerluck allows horses to surpass their natural limits. Fearfell and Rainroot combine to make a surefooted phoenix. Finally, she picks Sunscape to create a glowing horse in case they have to take the route through the caves.

At sunrise, Pippa inspects her phoenix, a majestic gray horse. She feeds it a tomato, a tradition that she has developed with her steed, and names it Flicker. Experienced riders develop their relationship with their horse through its many rebirths, but they also embrace each new rebirth’s unique qualities by giving them new names.

Pippa mounts Flicker and is about to leave when she notices a girl in the room.