Fire & Metal, #1
Metal Slinger
by Rachel Schneider
Contents
Chapter 35
Overview
Jovie and Acker confront imprisoned Messer. Beau assesses Messer’s nature and honesty, and Messer admits following to protect Jovie and aiding them at sea. Acker brands Messer with a hearthstone V, then releases him at Jovie’s urging. A healer mends Messer, and Beau notices a troubling bond between Jovie and Acker.
Summary
Jovie and Acker enter a heavily guarded tent where Messer is chained and exhausted. Bantering reveals both Jovie’s and Messer’s eyes have turned blue from prolonged time at sea. Beau arrives and coolly reads Messer’s character and loyalties, unsettling everyone with her accuracy.
Pressed by Acker, Messer admits Kai exposed him to magic, that he followed to protect Jovie, and that he sustained difficult shifts over the open sea—he was the squid that shielded their boat. He also knew of Kai’s treatment of Jovie but believed there were no alternatives, a stance Acker rejects.
Acker questions Messer’s intentions and, with Beau’s read, places the choice to Jovie: dungeon or release. Blood oaths are discussed and dismissed as fraught. Jovie refuses to imprison him, citing her own past inaction against Messer’s abusive father. Acker then heats a hearthstone blade and brands a V over Messer’s heart, explaining it marks him and can kill an Heir’s gift.
A healer arrives, sealing Messer’s wound while the V remains. Acker cuts Messer free, arranges food and lodging, and thanks him for protecting them. Messer embraces Jovie, and Acker’s masked glower suggests jealousy.
As they part, Beau silently clocks the charged look between Jovie and Acker, appearing rattled by what she perceives. She leaves without comment, and unease settles over Jovie, hinting at complications ahead.
Who Appears
- JovieProtagonist; chooses Messer’s release, refuses blood oath, recalls his abuse, and senses Acker’s jealousy.
- AckerKenta prince; interrogates Messer, wields hearthstone to brand him, then releases and thanks him.
- MesserShifter and Jovie’s friend; followed to protect her, was the squid at sea, branded with V, released.
- BeauAcker’s sister; incisively reads Messer’s nature and truthfulness, later notices a bond between Jovie and Acker.
- HallisKenta officer; restrains Jovie during branding, then tasked to secure Messer’s lodging and meal.
- HealerFemale soldier-healer; swiftly mends Messer’s chest wound while the V mark remains.