Arthur didn't leave with the others.
The Typhoon had been prepped before sunrise, supplies catalogued, and the pretty stable Aleks secured in his reinforced berth. Neramor's Shell loomed ahead, its skeletal reef like an altar waiting for offerings. Bovras expected the Lorebreakers to move with their usual precision.
And they did.
All but him.
He'd told them he'd follow, briefly. Just a quiet nod to Melite on the boarding ramp and the words. "Go ahead. I'll catch up." No questions followed. Not from her. Not from Seisyll, who only grunted and turned his back. Not from Beli, who met Arthur's eyes for a single, unreadable moment before returning to his work beside Aleks.
So they left him.
And Arthur stayed.
His steps through the Grand Duke's estate were as exacting as ever. He conferred with Yel on logistical coverage. Reviewed Duxor's revised diagrams for Halftide's secondary ring and reworked the protective runes for the third submerged chamber. Nothing stalled.
Except him.
