Contents
Chapter Fifty-Four: Essiya
Overview
Sylvia’s council debates Arin’s claim and concludes Rawain likely made him a living conduit linked to the Supreme’s scepter. Fearing Nizahl’s response, they weigh executing him, but Sylvia argues to use his aid.
After Jasadi guards brutalize Arin, Sylvia nearly kills them before Arin restrains her. Healing begins, and Jeru reveals Arin came intending to die.
Summary
Sylvia faces her council as they argue Arin’s lineage and abilities. Lateef proposes Rawain stripped toddler Arin’s magic and anchored it to the Supreme’s scepter, turning Arin into a conduit fueled by mined magic. This explains Arin’s sensitivity and the scepter’s significance. With Nizahl likely to brand Arin a traitor, Sylvia argues he could aid Jasad, even as Efra presses her to accept execution if deemed necessary.
Leaving the meeting, Sylvia goes to the cells and finds Jeru shaken from hearing an assault. In Arin’s cell, seven Jasadi men have beaten him unconscious. Sylvia unleashes terrifying magic, torturing the assailants, but Arin, barely conscious, stops her and insists she let them go to preserve her impartiality as queen.
Arin explains he did not fight back because contact with his skin drains attackers’ magic into the scepter. Sylvia relents, releases the men, and then summons help. Namsa’s healing magic passes through Arin, so they rely on bandages steeped in magic to drip-feed him recovery. The assailants are jailed until departure.
Later, Sylvia visits Jeru with Sefa and Marek nearby. Jeru, consumed with guilt, insists Arin came prepared not to resist. Confronted with her hope that Arin sought to reclaim magic, Sylvia hears Jeru’s grim conclusion: Arin came to die.
Who Appears
- Sylvia (Suraira)Jasadi queen; defends using Arin as ally, stops his torture, orders punishment, and learns he may have come to die.
- Arin of NizahlRevealed conduit to Rawain’s scepter; refuses to fight back, restrains Sylvia from killing, begins healing, intent to die implied.
- LateefScholar who explains conduit theory: Arin’s magic stripped and anchored to the scepter using mined magic.
- EfraCouncilor pushing for execution; his guards later assault Arin and are imprisoned.
- MaiaSupports Arin’s claim and questions potential deceit, prompting Sylvia’s vow to kill Arin if he betrays them.
- NamsaHealer who treats Arin; her magic passes through him, necessitating enchanted bandages.
- JeruNizahl guardsman; forced to listen to Arin’s beating and reveals Arin came intending not to survive.
- ShawkyGuard who tries to delay Sylvia from reaching the cells; linked to Efra’s faction.
- MarekAlly who accompanies Sefa; helps watch Jeru and reacts to the fallout.
- SefaAlly who slips past guards to check on Jeru; witnesses Sylvia’s updates.
- NiseebaSylvia’s creature/companion found outside; calmed only when near Arin.