Contents
Chapter Thirty-Four: Arin
Overview
In the aftermath of Mahair’s clash, Essiya ambushes and restrains Arin in an apothecary, revealing the Urabi’s doubts about Queen Hanan and a strategy to “win” Arin instead. Hearing the Urabi’s victory outside, Essiya decides to save her people by incapacitating Arin. He notices a fresh gold vein on her collarbone—sign of dangerous magic—before she knocks him unconscious.
Summary
Amid a rocking earth and a burning village, Arin is flung into an apothecary where Essiya binds him with animated cushions. She straddles him and speaks coolly, dismissing the Urabi’s plan to seek Queen Hanan’s support and hinting they have a different path.
Essiya proposes that the Urabi’s real chance lies in “winning” Arin. Outside, horses thunder and villagers cheer, signaling an Urabi victory, which steels her resolve. She predicts his soldiers will prioritize securing him and begins beating Arin to render him unconscious so they cannot pursue her or round up the Urabi.
Despite the blows, Arin remains conscious long enough to notice a new gold vein curling along Essiya’s collarbone, which horrifies him. Realizing she has been touched by dangerous gold magic, Essiya curses and slams his head against a metal bucket. Arin’s world goes dark as she ensures his incapacitation to protect her people.
Who Appears
- ArinCommander captured in an apothecary; restrained, beaten, and finally knocked unconscious by Essiya.
- EssiyaUrabi operative; subdues Arin to shield her fighters, argues to abandon Queen Hanan, reveals a new gold vein.