Contents
7 West
Overview
On her commendation day, Princess Glorian struggles with pain, expectations, and awkward suitors as Carmentum’s leaders attend. A misstep exposes her fragility, but Queen Sabran deftly sidesteps a political trap over a foreign dance. King Bardholt’s surprise arrival transforms the mood, reaffirming alliances and family bonds.
Summary
At dawn on her commendation day, Glorian hopes to feel ready for duty but wakes sore and uncertain. Helisent confides she never felt “set” either, offering scant comfort before attendants arrive to prepare Glorian for a grand feast.
Elsewhere, Bardholt’s retinue lies low near Drouthwick. Wulf rises early, resolves to be worthy as Bardholt’s cupbearer, and to harden his heart after past indiscretion. Regny joins him; they agree to watch for Bardholt in the Old Hall and keep disciplined.
In the Great Hall, Glorian faces an overwhelming feast and the Carmentum delegation led by Numun and Arpa Nerafriss. Amid songs and toasts, a page jostles Glorian’s broken arm, sending her fleeing in pain. In the gallery, she startles a young couple and, ashamed and sick, vomits before guards find her.
Later in the Old Hall, bonesetter Kell Bourn secures Glorian’s arm. She endures her fourth suitor, Magnaust Vatten, whose bluster and contempt alienate her. Carmentum offers to perform and teach the thinsana for Glorian’s commendation, a proposal that could embarrass Queen Sabran if mishandled.
Queen Sabran declines with poise, claiming she has saved the next dance for her companion—then Bardholt’s procession enters to astonishment and cheers. Sabran and Bardholt dance, and Bardholt publicly honors Glorian, turning a fraught day into a celebration of unity and paternal support under Carmentum’s watchful eyes.
Who Appears
- Glorian Hraustr BerethnetPrincess of Inys; anxious at her commendation, injured, briefly ill, endures suitors, and is honored by Bardholt’s arrival.
- Queen Sabran VIComposed monarch; toasts Glorian, deftly declines Carmentum’s dance offer, and welcomes Bardholt to dance.
- King Bardholt of HróthArrives unannounced with retinue, dances with Sabran, and publicly honors Glorian at her commendation.
- HelisentGlorian’s close friend; offers candid reassurance about never feeling fully ‘set’ before the ceremony.
- FlorellCourtier who oversees Glorian’s presentation and dances gracefully during the feast.
- Magnaust VattenMentish suitor; disdainful and blustering, fails to impress Glorian during the Old Hall seating.
- Numun, the DecreerLeader from Carmentum; proposes a thinsana performance, testing Inys’s poise and protocol.
- Arpa NerafrissCarmentum advisor; offers to teach the thinsana steps, observing Inys’s response closely.
- WulfBardholt’s retainer; resolves to serve as cupbearer and keep disciplined as the retinue approaches court.
- RegnyYoung chieftain; counsels Wulf and prepares to act as Bardholt’s eyes in the Old Hall.
- JulainGlorian’s companion; attends the feast and reacts when Glorian’s arm is jostled.
- Kell BournBonesetter who re-secures Glorian’s injured arm before the Old Hall gathering.
- ThritMember of Bardholt’s retinue; sleeps in the Worhurst hayloft before the approach to court.
- EydagRetainer in Bardholt’s company; lodges with the group near Drouthwick.
- Robart EllerLord Chancellor; observes the hall and confers with Queen Sabran during the feast.