Chapter 37: Tanaran

After two meals without news, Hadrian is relieved when Valka arrives with Yume and the hooded Cielcin priest, Tanaran. Valka reports the Mistral and other ships are locked out of comms and navigation, unsettling Captain Corvo. The rest of the crew remain aboard. Yume leads them swiftly to Kharn Sagara’s pyramid.

In the throne room, Kharn seems distant until Hadrian presents Tanaran. The baetan introduces itself formally. Kharn replies in flawless Cielcin, probing Tanaran’s capture on Emesh. Tanaran recounts the downing by Raine Smythe’s forces, flight into Calagah’s ruins, Uvanari’s surrender, and Imperial capture of survivors.

Hadrian explains the Chantry’s torture of Uvanari and his own mercy killing that won him a name—Prince Aranata Otiolo—and the directive to seek Vorgossos. Kharn asks Tanaran’s desire; Tanaran wishes to return to its master, not explicitly for peace. Kharn signals he will deal with Aranata, not with the Empire, and intends to keep Tanaran.

Pressed, Tanaran adds that humans hold ten of Aranata’s clansmen with Hadrian’s fleet. Kharn warns that humans betray peace at table “as they have done before.” Valka challenges the claim, but Kharn remains unmoved. He declares Tanaran valuable and announces Tanaran will stay until Aranata comes, while Hadrian will be paid and sent away.

Hadrian pleads to remain to meet Aranata. Kharn erupts at the appeal to “common humanity,” rises from his throne revealing his ravaged, augmented body, and denounces Hadrian’s premise. When Hadrian asserts he opposes the Chantry, Kharn shows surprise but summons his SOMs. The sag-faced enforcers surround the group as Kharn orders quarters prepared for Tanaran and ignores Hadrian’s final protests.