Contents
22 South
Overview
Tunuva and Esbar brief Prioress Saghul on the Dreadmount’s eruption, five winged creatures, and a new red fire drawn from rampant siden. Saghul orders heightened training, armament, and ranging to track the threats, and dispatches Tunuva to press Gashan and Kediko. Siyu is allowed to keep her child but is isolated; Yeleni is confined; Anyso’s fate remains undecided.
Summary
Tunuva and Esbar report to Prioress Saghul that the Dreadmount has erupted, releasing five great winged beings and many smaller ones. They reveal they wielded an unfamiliar red fire as siden flooded the land, likening it to the Mother’s writings on a dragon with red scales. Saghul cautions against using this power until it is understood.
Facing a possible long-foretold war, Saghul commands immediate readiness: initiates will double training, and men will craft as many arrows as possible. She tasks Tunuva with overseeing ranging to find signs of the creatures, their numbers, and intentions.
On diplomacy, Saghul plans to warn Daraniya and approach Kediko carefully, and instructs Tunuva to visit Nzene to reinforce her letters to Gashan and Kediko. Tunuva accepts the charge to persuade both leaders.
On internal discipline, Saghul confirms Siyu was intercepted and has chosen to keep her child. Siyu will serve her posting after the birth but must spend her pregnancy in isolation to reflect on endangering her sisters. Yeleni is confined to her room, and Anyso’s ultimate judgment is deferred.
Who Appears
- Tunuva MelimReturns from the eruption, reports five winged beings and red fire; assigned to oversee ranging and diplomatic reinforcement.
- EsbarWitness to the eruption; confirms overwhelming siden and red fire; ordered to inform initiates and aid preparations.
- Prioress SaghulReceives the report; escalates training and armament; directs ranging and diplomacy; issues punishments and defers Anyso’s fate.
- SiyuIntercepted after fleeing; chooses to keep her child; ordered to spend pregnancy in isolation before taking her posting.
- YeleniConfined to her room as punishment for her role in recent events.
- AnysoUnmasked previously; her punishment remains undecided by Saghul.
- GashanLeader to be persuaded; Saghul sends letters and relies on Tunuva’s visit to reinforce warnings.
- KedikoA difficult ally; to be approached carefully regarding protection of his lands.