Sequoia rushed forward, bending to help her brother sit up as my guard captain caught his breath.
"My Ruler," he said in his deep voice, "he's joined the Planeless."
I gaped, heart stopping in place as Sequoia shook her head far more firmly than necessary.
"Impossible," she said, glancing my way while Jabuticabron sagged, face falling in exhaustion. "He would never do such a thing."
"And yet, he did, sister," Jabut said. His broad face wrinkled in frustration. "We are in serious trouble, Ruler."
Sassafras wriggled in my arms until I put him down. He waddled to the bench and hopped up, climbing into Jabut's lap. "Tell us everything," he said.
The large guard stroked the cat's silver fur gently. "There's little to tell, brother," he said. "We left here directly with the plan to scout a
