I emerged into the monitor station with a heavy heart, to find Mabel waiting for me, but noting my sister and grandfather were gone.

"Sydlynn took Henemordonin back to Ostrogotho," Mabel said. "By force."

I nodded. "It's bad," I said. "We felt another plane leave, but couldn't stop it. The Node is coming apart in slices and there's nothing I can do about it."

Mabel's hand touched my shoulder, the contact bringing my sagging head up. "We will find out ...