Ashlords

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

Capri and his partner choose a highly defensible cliffside location for their camp. After dark, Adrian makes the treacherous climb to reach them. He waits in the shadows, and when Capri gets up, Adrian strikes. However, he misjudges the attack and sends Capri off the edge of the cliff. He quickly gets the upper hand with the other Ashlord, beating him mercilessly and leaving him unconscious. He poisons their ashes with Rend, which will kill their phoenixes if they go faster than a trot.

Adrian finds Capri impaled by a jutting point of rock. His back is broken, but the officials have not yet intervened, meaning that he is still alive. Knowing that the other Ashlord will leave Capri to die, Adrian tries to treat Capri’s wounds. He will have to keep Capri alive or else he will be disqualified and arrested for murder.

The metallic barriers surrounding the racecourse are not meant to be climbed, but Imelda plans to, using the circular screens and some clever alchemy. It is time to break the Races’ rules and send a message to the Empire.