Contents
CHAPTER 22: The Grudge Hall
Overview
Anden integrates into Southtrap’s diaspora through relayball and is ushered into the community’s clandestine grudge hall. He witnesses a clean-bladed duel end in surrender, friendly jade contests, and a routine police shakedown deftly managed by Dauk Sana. Later, Cory reveals his jade and desire; Anden reciprocates, confesses his past killing, and his conflicted aversion to jade.
Summary
Anden is drawn into Cory Dauk’s relayball circle and, after a winter storm halts play, follows Cory and friends to the Southtrap community center’s basement grudge hall. He notes the space as a compressed reflection of Kekonese culture: food, cockfights, socializing, and secret jade practice.
Before the crowd, Dauk Losun presides over a clean-bladed duel between Yoro Janshogon and Orim Rudocun. Yoro gains the advantage choking Orim until Dauk prompts a yield, which Orim reluctantly gives, averting a death and unwanted police attention. The mood shifts lighter when Shun Todorho playfully defeats Sammy (Etto Samishun) in a jade contest, which Anden judges competent but unrefined compared to Academy standards.
A sudden police arrival freezes the hall. Dauk Sana meets the officers, feigns nervousness, and steers them away from jade while conceding to a cockfighting fine. She orchestrates a collection, overpays, and sees the officers off with warnings accepted, revealing the shakedown’s routine nature as Dauk Losun stays inconspicuous and Rohn Toro stands guard.
Afterward, Dauk Losun lends his car to Cory to take friends home. Outside the Hians’ house, Cory reveals his hidden jade—navel studs—and initiates intimacy. Anden is overwhelmed by the jade aura’s allure and revulsion, admits he trained as a Green Bone, and confesses killing during the clan war and fearing enjoyment of violence. Cory kisses him; the encounter becomes sexual but brief, leaving Anden shaken, intrigued, and newly bonded to Cory.
Who Appears
- Anden EmeryIn Espenia, joins Cory’s circle, experiences the grudge hall, faces police shakedown, and begins an intimate relationship with Cory, confessing past killing and jade aversion.
- Cory DaukPillar’s son; leads relayball group, brings Anden to the grudge hall, reveals hidden jade studs, and initiates a tender, sexual encounter with Anden.
- Dauk LosunPillar of Southtrap; presides over a clean-bladed duel, stays discreet during police visit, and manages community calm.
- Dauk SanaPillar’s wife; deftly handles police, pays a cockfighting fine via collection, and protects the community center.
- Rohn ToroSenior enforcer; reassures Anden about a past incident and silently secures the hall during the police intrusion.
- Shun TodorhoGreen Bone friend; wins a playful jade contest with Deflection, showcasing local training norms.
- Ledt "Derek" DerukunCory’s friend; part of the relayball group and grudge hall outing, offers commentary on Espenian “negotiable” law.
- SanoGrudge hall doorman; enforces entry rules against outsiders until Cory vouches for Anden.
- Yoro JanshogonChallenger in the clean-bladed duel; overpowers Orim until Orim yields.
- Orim RudocunDuels Yoro over a soured business and personal dispute; submits before fatality.
- Sammy (Etto Samishun)Challenges Tod to a friendly jade bout, showcasing Lightness in the hall’s festivities.
- Mrs. JoekNoodle vendor; alerts Dauk family to arriving police, catalyzing the hall’s response.