The Folk of the Air, #2
The Wicked King
by Holly Black
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
Jude is returned from the Undersea, but the price of her freedom is revealed to be devastating: Cardan allowed Orlagh’s forces to attack the Court of Termites, with Balekin choosing the target. This transforms Jude’s rescue into a political crisis that threatens Elfhame’s alliances and gives Lord Roiben grounds to demand repayment of his favor.
Physically shattered and confined at Madoc’s stronghold, Jude learns how much time she lost and how vulnerable she has become. Yet Dulcamara’s demand that Jude kill Balekin pushes Jude back into action, and she arms herself despite her weakness.
Summary
The Undersea dresses Jude in her ruined silver wedding dress, arms her with the damaged Nightfell, and brings her before Balekin, who now wears the colors and sigil of the Undersea. Queen Orlagh leads a vast sea procession to the surface between Insweal and Insmire, where Cardan waits onshore with knights, Madoc, Nihuar, and hidden archers.
Orlagh announces that Cardan has paid her price for Jude’s safe return and presents Balekin as the Undersea’s new ambassador. Cardan insists Jude should be whole and hale, but accepts both Jude and Balekin under the terms already agreed. Orlagh warns that land and sea are not yet at war or peace, and Jude is taken past Cardan and Madoc to a carriage under Madoc’s orders.
At Madoc’s stronghold, Gnarbone carries Jude to her old room, and Tatterfell undresses and feeds her. Jude sleeps for an entire day and night before Taryn wakes her, frightened by how ill Jude looks. Taryn explains that after the Undersea claimed Jude, Cardan and Madoc blamed each other, and Taryn repeatedly searched the water for news; Jude learns she has been gone a little over a month and that Vivi, Oak, and Heather are safe, though Heather had been glamoured.
Taryn helps Jude rest, gives her a hidden hunting knife and a charm, and makes Jude promise not to do anything rash. Jude later wakes to Dulcamara demanding an audience. Despite Madoc’s guards trying to keep Jude confined, Jude receives Dulcamara in Oriana’s parlor because Lord Roiben has sent to claim the favor Jude promised when he pledged support to Cardan.
Dulcamara reveals that Cardan allowed the Undersea to attack the Court of Termites as the price of Jude’s return, and that Balekin chose the target because of an old grudge. Many were killed, Lord Roiben’s consort was badly wounded, and Elfhame is forbidding retaliation. Dulcamara demands that Jude repay Roiben’s favor by killing Balekin, even if that act brings war.
After Dulcamara leaves, Jude arms herself with Taryn’s knife and another hidden blade while trying to conceal her intentions from Madoc’s guards. Seeing her gaunt, weakened reflection shocks her, but Jude decides to leave anyway. Too weak to climb down from the balcony, Jude chooses to jump.
Who Appears
- Jude DuarteReturned from captivity, physically weakened, learns the cost of her rescue and chooses action.
- Cardan GreenbriarHigh King who bargains for Jude’s return by accepting Orlagh’s dangerous terms.
- DulcamaraRoiben’s envoy; confronts Jude and demands Balekin’s death as repayment of a favor.
- Balekin GreenbriarNew Undersea ambassador; selected the Court of Termites as the Undersea’s attack target.
- Queen OrlaghUndersea queen who returns Jude after extracting concessions and warns Elfhame against defiance.
- Taryn DuarteJude’s twin; cares for Jude, explains events during her absence, and gives her weapons.
- MadocGrand General who has Jude taken to his stronghold and orders her kept resting.
- Lord RoibenRuler of the Court of Termites; calls in Jude’s promised favor after his court is attacked.
- GnarboneMadoc’s servant or guard who carries the weakened Jude to her old bedroom.
- TatterfellServant at Madoc’s home who tends Jude and calls Taryn when Jude remains unconscious.
- NihuarPresent beside Cardan during Jude’s formal return from the Undersea.
- ViviAbsent but discussed; safe with Oak and Heather after glamouring Heather.
- OakAbsent but discussed; safe in the mortal world with Vivi and Heather.
- HeatherAbsent but discussed; survived Faerieland after being glamoured by Vivi.