Heir

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

Aiz accompanies Tribe Saif and integrates herself into their routines as they travel. She volunteers for tasks, positioning herself as an asset. During her first watch, Aiz pairs with Quil. She senses that he doesn’t fully belong in the Tribe. She probes, but he remains guarded about his past and his role as Laia’s fostered ward. Quil’s calm assurance of Laia’s reliability only heightens Aiz’s frustration over her people’s dire situation and her impatience with the Tribe’s slower pace.

Their talk is interrupted when mounted soldiers approach the Saif caravan. Quil signals the Tribe to prepare for defense. Aiz, guided by Mother Div, experiments with her burgeoning wind magic, successfully shaping it into a weapon. However, Quil recognizes the riders as a group of Martial soldiers sent by his aunt, including Tas. They kneel before Quil, addressing him as the prince. Aiz is captivated by the soldiers’ living metal masks, which she realizes are made from the same substance used to power the Sails. The metal from even just one mask would be enough to run many aircraft.