The Green Bone Saga, #1
Jade City
by Fonda Lee
Contents
CHAPTER 5: The Horn’s Kitten
Overview
Hilo accepts Lan’s order to defend No Peak’s interests in the Armpit without killing, but his private doubts about Lan’s restraint deepen. During a visit to his lover Wen, Hilo’s fierce attachment to her is revealed alongside her insecurity as a stone-eye from the Maik family.
Wen proves politically sharp, pushing Hilo to prepare for war with the Mountain by relying on the street power of the Horn rather than Doru’s influence. Her advice redirects Hilo toward strengthening his Fists and scouting future recruits at the Academy, especially Anden.
Summary
After meeting with Lan, Kaul Hilo tells Tar that No Peak will reinforce the Armpit and protect its Lantern Men and businesses without killing anyone. Tar doubts Hilo will hold back if challenged, but Hilo repeats Lan’s order firmly before driving away from the Kaul estate.
Hilo reflects that he does not envy Lan’s burdens as Pillar: dealing with Kaul Sen, Doru, clan politics, and the Royal Council. Hilo prefers the direct work of being Horn: leading Fists, defending No Peak territory, and enjoying life. He drives from the wealthy Kaul neighborhood into Paw-Paw, a dense working-class district deep in No Peak territory, parking away from his destination to keep his habits unpredictable.
Hilo climbs through the window of Wen’s apartment and finds Wen asleep while waiting for him. He startles her awake as a joke, warning her that leaving the window open is dangerous. Their exchange reveals their intimate relationship, Wen’s connection to Kehn and Tar as their sister, her status as a stone-eye, and her worry that the Maik family’s disgrace and her inability to wear jade make her unworthy in the eyes of the Kauls.
At dawn, Hilo watches Wen sleep and realizes the depth of his devotion to her. His thoughts turn briefly to Eyni and the man who insulted Lan; Hilo had tracked them to Stepenland and planned revenge, but Lan angrily forbade him from interfering in Lan’s personal life. The memory frustrates Hilo because Lan’s guarded feelings make him difficult to read.
Later, Wen presses Hilo about the trouble at the Twice Lucky. When Hilo explains that Lan released the young jade thief and ordered restraint, Wen argues that the boy is likely to cause more trouble and that the Mountain threat will become war. Hilo agrees that Ayt is a killer and complains that Lan is being guided badly by Doru.
Wen urges Hilo to prepare independently because the Fists, Fingers, and streets belong to the Horn. She questions whether his Fists are hardened enough for real fighting and suggests that Hilo visit Kaul Du Academy to assess promising year-eight students. Hilo accepts the idea, deciding to visit his cousin Anden, whom he believes will become an exceptional Green Bone once he receives jade.
Who Appears
- Kaul HiloNo Peak Horn; obeys Lan’s restraint while privately preparing for possible war.
- WenHilo’s stone-eye lover; politically perceptive and urges him to strengthen street forces.
- Maik TarHilo’s Fist and Wen’s brother; questions whether Hilo can avoid killing.
- Kaul LanNo Peak Pillar; absent but central through orders of restraint and past rejection of revenge.
- AndenHilo’s cousin at the Academy; considered a promising future Green Bone recruit.
- DoruNo Peak Weather Man; criticized by Hilo and Wen as an obstructive old influence.