Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
At a public Banishing, Maevyth watches a branded defector condemned by Governor Grimsby and Sacton Crain. The prisoner seizes Maevyth, declares “God is Death,” then is impaled and mysteriously dragged into the woods, his severed hand hurled back. The spectacle deepens Maevyth’s isolation, hints at forbidden gods, and raises ominous supernatural stakes.
Summary
Maevyth attends a Banishing beside her sister Aleysia, Lolla, Agatha, and Uncle Felix, as Sacton Crain and Governor Grimsby preside over a ritual to appease the Red God. She feels like a skeptic among believers, recalling past punishments and the parish’s superstitions that avoid her gaze. She notices Aleysia’s unsettlingly intimate handclasp with Uncle Riftyn.
The condemned man—a family father accused of defying faith and threatening the governor—is stripped and branded. Maevyth glimpses his wife and young son forced to witness the ceremony, and resolves to help them as she has aided other banished families.
When the branding ends, the prisoner stumbles toward Maevyth, seizing her wounded arm. Maevyth sees an old-gods symbol—five stars and a moon—tattooed on his hand. With wild eyes he rasps, “God is Death,” before Vonkovyan guards drag him away toward the arch that marks exile.
As the guards force him through, one impales the prisoner’s chest. An unseen force then yanks the man backward into the woods. A guttural cry echoes, and his degloved hand—bearing the old-gods mark—flies back through the arch to land at Maevyth’s feet. Shock and blackness overtake her as the crowd reels.
Who Appears
- MaevythNarrator at the Banishing; alienated skeptic seized by the condemned; witnesses a terrifying supernatural abduction.
- The Banished ManDefector branded and condemned; grabs Maevyth, declares “God is Death,” is impaled, then dragged away by an unseen force.
- Sacton CrainReligious leader conducting the rite; brands the prisoner during the Banishing.
- Governor GrimsbyCivil authority overseeing the Banishing; petitions for divine favor and sanctions the punishment.
- AleysiaMaevyth’s sister; seen clasping Uncle Riftyn’s hand in an intimate, disquieting display.
- Vonkovyan GuardsEnforcers who restrain and impale the prisoner before he is dragged into the woods.
- Prisoner’s WifeForced witness to her husband’s Banishing; restrains their child while sobbing.
- Prisoner’s SonYoung child who cries for his father during the Banishing.
- LollaCompanion beside Maevyth; checks on her as the ritual turns violent.
- AgathaGuardian figure; stands with Maevyth, displaying disgust during the ceremony.
- Uncle FelixFamily elder present with the group at the Banishing.
- Uncle RiftynSeen holding Aleysia’s hand; his intimacy with her unsettles Maevyth.