* Brisa is indeed hiding in the Comb, away from the Covenant (who she calls "the Lanterns"). She's safe, but definitely haggard after roughing it inside a dungeon for weeks. She chose this dungeon not only because it'd be hard for Matthias and his cronies to follow, but because she'd been hoping it would whisper useful information to her.

* She's in the Comb alone—she and Starr had gone through it together before, and the dungeon only seemed interested in "testing" them the one time, so she was able to enter and remain there solo.

* Starr and Brisa had gone east in part because the former received cryptic dreams from Auriga, her summoner. They weren't sure what to do, but Brisa wanted to try and find her father Jesse Stranger anyway, so that was as good a reason as any. As far as she knows, the Lanterns still have both her father and Starr.

* She's overheard the Lanterns talking about a figurative "lighthouse" and about creating their own artificial beacon. Betel has the uncomfortable realization that this might be referring to them.

- Phoenixsong