Inric waits for evening by the docks, keeping an eye on the Raven Cloud in case Mathea returns. But it is Arvid who comes hurrying down the steps in the mid-afternoon, pulling up sharply when he sees the girl loitering by the ship. "Ylva! What are you doing here?" "I want to go to Vraskall," she says. "I have a message for the chief." Arvid looks uncomfortable. "I," he begins, then shakes his head sharply. "Ah, cobnuts. We can't go yet. Your foster mother got caught at the palace." "How - wait, what?! Mum!" Ylva makes to run, but Arvid catches her arm. "Wait!"