While waiting for Martin to return with Archazia, Shanzay and Venturo watched as the island was overtaken by forceful magic and remade into something dry and barren with marble-and-gold buildings of garish opulence.

"This is so wrong," said Shanzay.

Moments later, Martin returned, breathless and clutching Archazia's inkcaster. "She's... she's..." He leaned over the magical staff, panting and scrubbing sand from his eyes. "She's gone."