A great last page, showing that we're very much back to the main pair.
But I
quite liked this several-chapter interlude into setting up the second main couple of characters, portraying that the Wolf people are more than just a group of "illiterate nomads" of the bitter north, and do more than simply live in fur huts with no need for the trappings of human culture.
Excited that Evie is back in the capital at the same time Karina returns (I like the very indicative clothing upon the hand in the last panel - you know who it is, without it being spoonfed to you as the reader for a great bit of foreshadowing).
I admit I'm very worried for her safety, having to hide "in plain sight" among people who would likely murder her without a second thought if her hat ever fell off in view of someone else. But I have faith that this isn't "that" sort of title with mass character death for the sake of dramatic effect.
I agree with
@SrNevik though. The author knows what they're about, and their being this patient in setting up the world and the scenario on the horizon tells me that the story, and we the readers, are in good hands. It might
feel slow, but I'm of the opinion that this sort of title that doesn't rush exposition, or speed through "the backstory" in fear of losing the reader's attention, is something we need more of.
It's not meandering and it's not dragging its feet; but we're getting lots of information that needs to be said, and the narrative and emotional beats all along the way make each page worth the effort on the author's part and on ours.
Thank you for the continued TL work on this. Very much a standout series of the year, for me.