Olva knows what Syenok's asking. "Sorry, Sy. But whoever's in there, they're definitely still alive." And with that, Syenok has no choice. The outrider code has saved her too many times for her to abandon it when someone else is in need. Which means she and Olva will have to confront this thunderclaw.

Suddenly I don't want to know how much time we missed. I don't want to know by how long I missed being there to fight whatever’s killed my wife and daughter. Not knowing is better. Because, what's worse? Coming back to what you thought would be home and finding out they've been dead for years? Or finding out you missed it by an hour or two, one that only felt like seconds to you in a witch's embrace?