The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Fifty-Two
Overview
Mikail and Hana ascend Gaya’s watchtower, where Mikail witnesses his homeland replaced by charm fields and vows vengeance. Hana suggests Rune will back the likeliest victor between Seok and Joon. Mikail suspects Fallador as Rune’s source, resolves to execute the governor and crown himself, and orders Hana to flee.
Summary
Mikail walks the Rose Palace with Hana, now revealed as the poison maiden who once posed as Zahara. Distrustful after an attempt on his life, Mikail withholds confidence as they climb to the watchtower overlooking Gaya.
From the open-air height, Mikail searches for his northern village and instead sees endless charm fields. Realizing Yusan razed the northern settlements, he is consumed by anger and vows retribution, even envisioning Tamneki in flames.
Discussing Rune, Hana relays that Rune claimed an inside source among Mikail’s group and lost intelligence after Rahway, leading her to suspect Fallador. The implication cuts Mikail deeply, yet hardens his resolve as he assesses the precarious defense of the seized palace.
They weigh looming conflicts: Rune’s army nearing Tamneki and Weian warships approaching Gaya. Hana predicts Rune will side with whichever leader—Seok with Qali, or Joon with Wei and the Immortal Crown—seems poised to win. Mikail refuses to reveal his strategy.
Declaring his immediate course, Mikail vows to execute the governor as a public warning and then crown himself. Acknowledging Hana’s past aid but unable to trust her, he urges her to flee to Khitan, warning neither Seok nor Joon would spare her. After recalling a shared dream with Sora, Hana departs with the farewell, “Safety in death.”
Left alone in the darkening tower, Mikail fixes on vengeance and survival, committing to ruthless decisions as he plans the next moves in the coming war.
Who Appears
- MikailPOV leader; witnesses his razed homeland, suspects Fallador, plans a governor’s execution and his own coronation, and plots war moves.
- Hana (Zahara)Poison maiden and spymaster; discusses Rune’s tactics, suggests Fallador as informant, recalls Khitan dream with Sora, and leaves on Mikail’s warning.
- RuneApproaching with an army; expected to back the likeliest victor between Seok and Joon.
- FalladorSuspected insider feeding Rune information; his perceived betrayal wounds and steels Mikail.
- SeokContender in the looming conflict; holds Qali and may draw Rune’s support if advantaged.
- King JoonRival backed by Wei and the Immortal Crown; target of Mikail’s vengeance calculus.