Contents
Chapter 40: Difficult Daughters
Overview
At Jaya’s Pre-Trials, the Kaul family rallies; Jaya excels, but Tia is disturbed by violence, worrying Shae. That night, Shae proposes expanding to Shotar using Lott’s White Rats, sensing the Mountain’s quiet repositioning.
Hilo then retrieves Jaya from jail after she stabs Mal Ging defending Hana. He reins her in, yet reluctantly supports her ambition to become a front-line Fist.
Summary
During Kaul Du Academy’s year-eight Pre-Trials, the Kaul family turns out for Jaya. She tops events early and finishes strong, while Tia breaks down at the Massacre of the Mice, unsettling Shae and prompting worries about raising a gentle child in a violent clan world.
That evening, Shae confides in Hilo and declares her intent to open a No Peak office in Shotar. She argues Espenia’s growth has slowed and Tun is unstable, but Shotar is viable if Lott Jin deploys Juen’s White Rat network. Hilo sets conditions: Lott’s cooperation and Hami’s buy-in, warning that green resources are stretched. They note Ayt Mada’s recent quiet and Ygutan divestments, suspecting a coming Mountain move.
A call interrupts: Jaya has been arrested after a house party brawl. At the station, Hilo learns she gravely injured Mal Ging, son of Councilman Mal Joon. Back home, Hilo confiscates Jaya’s hidden Academy jade and interrogates her. Jaya explains Ging pursued her friend Noyu Hana upstairs and she Perceived Hana’s distress; she intervened with a talon knife.
Jaya bristles at clan politics shielding her opponents and laments that no one will duel the Pillar’s daughter. She declares her goal to become a first-rank Fist and someday Horn. Hilo, fearful of the role’s danger, tries to broaden her options but ultimately agrees to mentor pathways and placements—on strict conditions of perfect conduct and clean graduation.
Finally, the Noyu family arrives to thank the Kauls. Jaya comforts Hana and dismisses any need for gratitude, framing her actions as loyalty to a friend. Hilo accepts their thanks, privately shaken by his daughter’s fearlessness and fixed ambition.
Who Appears
- Kaul Hiloshudon (Hilo)Pillar; supports Jaya at Pre-Trials, debates Shotar expansion, retrieves Jaya from jail, disciplines her, and conditionally backs her Fist ambitions.
- Kaul Shaelinsan (Shae)Weather Man; worries over Tia’s sensitivity, proposes a Shotar office leveraging White Rats, monitors Mountain divestments.
- Kaul JayaYear-eight student; excels at Pre-Trials, secretly wears jade off campus, stabs Mal Ging defending Hana, vows to become a Fist and future Horn.
- Tia KaulShae’s daughter; distressed by the Massacre of the Mice, catalyzing Shae’s parenting doubts.
- Woon PapidonShae’s husband; comforts Tia after Pre-Trials and helps calm her.
- Noyu HanaJaya’s classmate; target of Mal Ging’s assault; protected by Jaya, arrives later in tears to thank the Kauls.
- Mal GingCouncilman Mal Joon’s son; follows Hana at a party and is gravely injured by Jaya’s talon knife.
- Lott JinHorn; his White Rats network in Shotar is key to Shae’s proposed expansion.
- Hami TumashonRainmaker; skeptical of Shotar plan; Hilo requires Hami’s buy-in for the expansion.
- Ayt MadaMountain Pillar; currently quiet; divesting from Ygutan, prompting Shae’s suspicion of a new strategy.
- Noyu familyHana’s parents and Finger brother; visit to express gratitude and offer service to No Peak.
- Kaul AndenAttends Pre-Trials despite discomfort; minor presence this chapter.
- JirhuyaAnden’s partner; Abukei guest at the Academy event, minor presence.