Contents
12 East
Overview
Emperor Jorodu arrives unannounced at Mount Ipyeda, forcing a confrontation with Unora and the Grand Empress. In the Inner Hall, he reveals Unora as Saguresi, the River Lord’s lost daughter, and acknowledges Dumai as his child. Security blocks escape, and court intrigue—spies and loyalties—makes Dumai’s removal inevitable.
Summary
The High Temple prepares frantically for Emperor Jorodu’s sudden arrival as the Grand Empress manages protocol and warns Dumai to watch over badly burned Unora. At night, the Grand Empress escorts Unora to the Inner Hall to meet the emperor, while Dumai secretly follows, fearing her mother intends for her to flee.
From a hidden crawlspace, Dumai overhears Jorodu and Unora speak intimately. Jorodu recognizes Unora as Saguresi, his first River Lord’s lost daughter, recalls their shared winter, and laments losing her. Unora begs him to leave, insisting court life offered no safety for an exile’s daughter and her child.
Jorodu explains a trusted agent, Epabo—earlier disguised as a saltwalker—had trailed a suspected Kuposa spy, Nikeya, to the mountain, risking Dumai’s exposure. With guards posted to prevent escape, he presses the danger of Dumai remaining at Ipyeda.
The Grand Empress discovers Dumai in the crawlspace and leads her into the Inner Hall. Confronted face to face, Jorodu and Dumai share mirrored features. Jorodu formally acknowledges Dumai as his daughter, ending years of secrecy and setting the stage for her removal from the temple to the imperial sphere.
Who Appears
- DumaiGodsinger at Mount Ipyeda; overhears the emperor and Unora; revealed as Emperor Jorodu’s daughter.
- Emperor JoroduArrives unannounced, confronts Unora, reveals her identity, and acknowledges Dumai as his child.
- UnoraBadly scalded; confesses past with Jorodu; revealed as Saguresi; fears for Dumai and urges escape.
- Grand EmpressManages the emperor’s visit, blocks escape, discovers Dumai spying, and presents her to Jorodu.
- KanifaTemple steward tasked to settle the entourage; considered for leading Dumai down the mountain.
- EpaboTrusted imperial agent who came disguised as a saltwalker; his pursuit exposes the temple’s vulnerability.
- NikeyaYoung agent of Clan Kuposa suspected of spying on the Grand Empress; potential witness to Dumai.