Contents
Chapter Sixty-Seven: Arin
Overview
Arin defends the Citadel against Vaida’s Ruby Hounds using Jeru’s sigiled fire lines and Baira-sigiled weapons. He confronts a transformed Vaida, offers terms, then fatally stabs her with a sigiled dagger. As Vaida dies, the Hounds collapse, securing the Citadel and freeing Arin to race toward Jasad and Essiya.
Summary
The third gate falls as Vaida’s towering Ruby Hounds charge the Citadel. Arin signals archers armed with Baira-sigiled arrowheads that pierce the Hounds’ gem hides. He lights Jeru’s hidden white-dust lines, igniting a sigil mapped from Vaida’s ring that melts the Hounds’ ruby coats and stalls their advance.
Vaida rides through the carnage, visibly transformed by relic magic—ruby shards replacing flesh and bloodred eyes. She taunts Arin about Essiya and power while the Hounds and Lukubi-backed Nizahl soldiers overwhelm the field. Arin holds position, prioritizing the trap’s effects and the sigiled blades and arrows that gradually fell the beasts despite heavy Nizahl casualties.
When the flames ebb, Arin strips his gloves and confronts Vaida. Memories of their shared childhood surface, underscoring his resolve. He warns that a touch will drain Baira’s corrupted magic into Rawain’s scepter and offers her options: surrender for tribunal, or be judged later while spared now. Vaida demands Nizahl instead.
Closing the distance, Arin exploits Vaida’s confidence. He uses a single dagger engraved with Baira’s sigil and drives it into her chest, bypassing negotiations. As her Hound lunges, archers fell it. Arin explains the consequence—her death will end the Hounds. Vaida, bleeding and afraid, asks if he would have given her Rawain’s head; he answers yes and comforts her with a story of Baira.
With the Hounds dying across the field and the Citadel siren falling silent, Arin offers a final mercy: take his hand so he can try to draw out what magic remains, hinting at a future hidden by the Mirayah. As Niseeba the kitmer lands nearby and victory settles, Vaida accepts, and Arin closes his hand around hers.
Who Appears
- ArinNizahl’s Supreme; orchestrates sigiled traps and weapons, confronts Vaida, kills her with a sigiled dagger, and secures the Citadel.
- Sultana VaidaLukub’s ruler, altered by Baira’s relic magic; commands Ruby Hounds, parleyed with Arin, is fatally stabbed and dies, ending the Hounds.
- JeruArin’s ally; previously mapped and drew the sigil lines that enable the fire trap against the Ruby Hounds.
- VaunDead Nizahl guardsman; his past knowledge of Arin’s preparations echoes in Arin’s thoughts during the battle.
- NiseebaKitmer ally; arrives after the Hounds fall, potentially enabling Arin’s swift departure toward Jasad.