The Mighty Nein

Previously on The Mighty Nein...

Who gave you your powers, Fjord?

I don't know.

I have a memory of a rift like this.

It doesn't feel like mine.

Nein, not the necklace.

I-I need it.

It blocks them. Their vision.

Spill it. You working with her?

You may not trust me, Beauregard. But we cannot do this here.

Cool. We're doing it here.

Master Ikithon called us Volstrucker.

Now that I understood.

Essek, why didn't you tell me?

She has Typhros.

The Bright Queen has ordered a response to the Beacon theft.

I deploy to the Empire in 48 hours.

Unless you had any success locating the Beacon?

This is the key to everything.

Tell me where they took the Beacon.

Put your backs into it, damn it.

It's up to us to protect the empire.

We sure as shit ain't gonna fail on my watch.

Vultures.

The Orphanmaker!

She's here.

- The vultures. - Impossible.

Vultures follow in her wake.

We're all dead.

The Orphanmaker's a myth.

Get back to work.

It's just a woman.

And I'll prove it.

All right then, you big bitch.

You missed.

It is her.

Charge. Charge!

Fuck this!

Out of the way!

No, no, no, no, no. Wait.

Wait, wait. I beg you.

Please, spare my life.

I thought you wanted to forget these feelings, Yasha.

Be done with her

and find my prize.

Mages.

The Assembly.

Which way?

Uh, past that range.

West. Zadash.

Ah, at last. Our destination.

Your contact lives here?

When Gustav-- may he rest in pleasure--

needed an item of questionable legality for the carnival,

the Gentleman could get him anything.

With the right gift.

Gift? I thought you said a gentleman would sell us Caleb's necklace.

The Gentleman.

And it is a protection amulet.

A replacement.

So no more magic a-holes can find Caleb again.

Or us.

I should do that.

No more talking to me unless you have a gift.

A gift and a passcode.

- Don't mind if I d-- - Ah, ah, ah.

Never steal from happy people.

Good to see you, Julie.

- How are you? - Well, what kind of gift are we talking?

Something refined.

He's apparently quite the sophisticate.

Ooh.

How about this?

"The steamy love story of Oskar and Guinevere."

We may define "sophisticate" differently.

Caleb.

Where do you think six-pack's going?

Did you bring it?

Now, what the hell is it?

Axiom.

Wh-- That's it?

It's a code. For a member of the Cerberus Assembly.

Trent Ikithon.

That name mean something to you?

He fucked up someone I know.

Let me get this straight.

Trent Ikithon,

the traitor behind the attack on Rockguard Garrison,

who started this war with the dynasty--

you two have a mutual friend?

Not a friend.

Just a guy I've been traveling with.

A Volstrucker.

Former, actually.

There is no "former" with them.

It's not something you just stop being.

If he finds out you're Cobalt Soul,

he'll kill you.

He knows.

And he won't.

I think.

Look, he hates this Trent douchebag even more than you do.

Or at least that's what he wants you to believe.

When I tell King Dwendal

that his head of propaganda is a traitor,

I don't know what's going to happen.

The Assembly might try some shit.

A w... a wizard war?

Be careful with this guy, Beau.

If he really is ex-Volstrucker,

he'd be the first I ever heard of to get out.

They take an oath to die for the empire and kill for it.

Watch your back.

I'll send word when it's safe to come in from the cold.

Oh, I'll probably curl up with my dogs.

Bren.

Caleb. You coming?

Where are you?

The Academy.

So...

you've come home.

Gravity.

But I feel so much more.

Space.

Reality.

How far can it go?

Herr Ikithon, careful.

You could hurt yourself.

No. I can hold it.

Sethio-Disstradas.

Thank you, Essek.

- That was, uh... - Dangerous.

Yes, Dunamancy can control gravity. Space.

But do not lose sight of our ultimate objective.

Of course.

The soul.

To overcome death.

To cure your mother.

Well, despite what you may think of me, Essek,

I am a man of my word.

This was always our arrangement.

Knowledge of Dunamancy

in exchange for saving your mother's life.

Well, I'm...

I'm glad to hear it.

Now, I believe I found a way to stabilize the body

to extract the soul without--

The king, Master.

Asking for your presence at the council.

Carry on, Essek.

I'll only be a minute.

Watch him.

He doesn't touch it unless I'm here.

Yes, Master.

Yes, yes.

This just might work.

The Evening Nip.

Um,

I thought you said this gentleman was sophisticated.

This the place?

Only one way to find out.

And where have you been?

Shopping.

Molly said this dude likes fancy, right?

Eeh.

Yeah, it's a vibe.

We brought presents.

Oh. Um...

we bring bounteous offerings?

You have coin for drinks or you don't.

We don't barter, purple man.

Apologies.

The man who told me the passphrase is dead and my memory can be funny.

Hilarious, even.

Uh, Molly?

Maybe we should have brought more gifts.

Ah, yes, that's it.

"While I have no coin,

I'd be willing to offer many gifts."

Welcome to the Nip.

Lovely.

A hidden staircase is always a nice touch.

Sire, you sent for me?

Hmm.

Good evening.

Vess. Why are you h...

Ah. There is no meeting with the king.

Your own hubris did this, Trent.

There was nothing I could do.

Curator Tasha.

Trent Ikithon,

the Cobalt Soul has found evidence

of your involvement in the attack on Rockguard Garrison.

This is absurd.

Shratten g...

You see? Hubris.

Stepping right onto a binding spell.

By order of the king,

you are hereby under arrest for treason.

The Assembly cannot spare you from the king's decree.