Contents
72 West
Overview
Glorian, newly pregnant, asserts control by cutting her hair, then orders Arondine’s evacuation into the Stathalstan caverns. Robart Eller is found dead after escaping custody, his end disguised as plague. From a hillside lookout, Glorian watches Fýredel lead the wyrms in annihilating Arondine and settle on Hyll Sanctuary, confirming open war.
Summary
Glorian suffers morning sickness and privately confirms her pregnancy, heeding Marian’s advice to delay informing the Regency Council. Weighed by dread for her child’s future, she endures a bath-time inquiry from her ladies about her political marriage and reassures them she remains in control.
Marian arrives with news: Robart Eller escaped Glowan and was found hanged and bled, his throat cut. Determined to control the narrative and foreign perceptions, Glorian orders the death attributed to plague and leaves funeral choices to the Ellers. As heat and unrest tighten around Inys, Robart’s accusations about her ancestor haunt her.
Fearing the Council will confine her once her pregnancy is known, Glorian cuts off her long Berethnet hair to reclaim agency and signals readiness to act. She orders the city’s descent into Hyll Sanctuary via the mining tunnel. The Regency Council, Prince Guma, and nobles follow Sir Granham Dale through the reinforced passage to Stathalstan Knott, where Lade Edith oversees the crowded refuge.
Among her people, Glorian offers a steady vow of safety and faith, then retires to a small prepared cavern with her grandmother and ladies. She manages her sickness, confiding her belief that Fýredel flies, and is urged to stay calm for the child. Packed together for warmth, they find a moment of fragile safety.
Restless, Glorian seeks the lookout with Sir Bramel and joins Lady Gladwin. In pitch darkness they wait until the wyrms arrive; then fire rips the sky. Through the night Glorian watches Arondine consumed in flame and hears the primal screams as the city falls. At dawn, Fýredel perches on Hyll Sanctuary and seems to fix eyes on her, sealing the threat to Inys.
Who Appears
- Glorian BerethnetSeventeen-year-old queen; newly pregnant; cuts her hair; orders evacuation to Stathalstan; witnesses Arondine’s destruction by Fýredel.
- MarianGlorian’s grandmother and advisor; counsels secrecy about the pregnancy; supports evacuation efforts.
- HelisentLady-in-waiting; tends Glorian through sickness; helps with armor; offers steady reassurance.
- JulainLady-in-waiting; assists Glorian; urges honesty with Adela about the pregnancy.
- Adela (Adeliza)Milk-sister and lady; anxious yet devoted; fetches food; shares Glorian’s bed for warmth.
- Prince GumaYscali prince-consort; marches through the tunnel with the Regency; remarks on Robart’s death.
- Lady GladwinLookout commander; douses the brazier; witnesses the wyrms’ assault with Glorian.
- Sir Granham DaleCastellan; leads the Council and nobles through Hyll Sanctuary’s escape tunnel.
- Lade EdithDuchet of Courtesy; organizes the Stathalstan caverns and secures the undercroft.
- Sir Bramel StathworthGuard at Glorian’s cave; escorts her to the lookout at night.
- Robart EllerFormer prisoner; escapes and dies by hanging and throat-cutting; death publicly labeled plague.