The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Forty-Eight
Overview
After Sora collapses, the group moves her into the Rose Palace, where Hana reveals she is the presumed-dead Hana who once loved Sora, previously known as Zahara. Mikail claims the palace household, pardoning the staff. With tensions and hope surging, the group prepares for answers as Tiyung begins his story.
Summary
Aeri, Royo, and Mikail rush Sora to the shaded portico after she faints. Servants bring water while Tiyung arrives with the woman Mikail called Zahara. Aeri greets Tiyung, then learns the woman’s true name is Hana, shocking everyone given Hana’s presumed death.
Royo tends Sora gently until she wakes. Seeing Tiyung and Hana, Sora panics, insisting they are dead. To help her recover and avoid the rising smell of the funeral pyre in the garden, Mikail moves everyone inside the palace.
Within the vast, sunlit halls, the household staff kneels to Mikail. He pardons them for serving the prior regime and accepts their service. The group settles in a sunken sitting room; Sora reclines while Aeri and Royo stay close.
Mikail asks how Tiyung and Hana survived. Hana confirms she fled Gain under the name Zahara. With the group braced for revelations, Tiyung begins recounting from his sentencing to Idle Prison, promising to explain the horrors he endured and how he lived.
Who Appears
- AeriPOV; supports Sora, recognizes Hana’s identity, observes Mikail assuming control of the palace staff.
- SoraOverwhelmed by seeing Tiyung and Hana alive; faints, wakes disbelieving, emotionally shaken.
- Mikail (Adoros Miat)Thanks servants, pardons and accepts the Rose Palace staff; calls for explanations from Tiyung and Hana.
- Hana (formerly Zahara)Reveals her true identity and survival; the woman Sora believed dead from poison school.
- TiyungReturns alive, concerned for Sora; begins recounting his survival from Idle Prison.
- RoyoCarries and tends Sora with care; remains protective and close during the gathering.
- Rose Palace staffKneel to Mikail; pardoned and retained, signaling a shift in control of the palace.