The Sun Eater, #1
Empire of Silence
by Christopher Ruocchio
Contents
Chapter 43: The Count and His Lord
Overview
Count Balian Mataro discovers Hadrian’s true palatine identity and interrogates him about his past, his escape from Delos, and his illicit visit to the captive Cielcin. Hadrian’s admission that he fled an appointment to the Chantry on Vesperad makes him politically dangerous, so the count chooses not to kill or release him.
Instead, Mataro turns Hadrian into a concealed asset: a false-credentialed ward of court and language tutor for the count’s children. Hadrian gains safety from immediate execution but loses freedom, while his view of the Cielcin shifts further after he admits Makisomn seemed afraid rather than monstrous.
Summary
Hadrian wakes unrestrained in an opulent chamber in Borosevo Castle, bruised from the guards’ shock-stick but otherwise unharmed. Count Balian Mataro confronts Hadrian with the truth of his identity, having confirmed through blood records that “Had of Teukros” is really Hadrian Marlowe, a palatine lord of Delos.
With no useful lie available, Hadrian admits who he is and explains how he came to Emesh: fleeing his father’s plan for him, surviving in Borosevo, losing Cat to the plague, and entering the Colosso to earn money for passage offworld. Hadrian omits his more serious crimes and asks whether Count Mataro has contacted Delos; the count says he has not.
Count Mataro questions Hadrian about speaking to the captive Cielcin, Makisomn. Hadrian says he can speak some Cielcin, explains that the prisoner asked whether it would die, and learns that Makisomn is to be killed in a triumph for Count Mataro’s son’s coming-of-age ceremony in five months.
The count presses Hadrian on why he ran, and Hadrian reveals that his father intended to send him to the Chantry, specifically to Vesperad. This shocks Count Mataro and his husband, Lord Luthor Shin-Mataro, because Vesperad is the Chantry’s highest seat. The revelation changes the danger Hadrian represents: he is not merely a runaway noble but a possible source of Chantry scrutiny.
Hadrian asks to be sent away, but Count Mataro refuses to waste someone valuable. Instead, after noting Hadrian’s noble blood, age, and command of many languages, the count decides to keep Hadrian at court under a false identity as a ward and language tutor for his children. Lord Luthor objects, and Hadrian recognizes the offer as a comfortable cage, but he has no power to refuse.
Lady Liada Ogir and a scholiast are summoned to arrange false credentials, while guards prepare to escort Hadrian away. Hadrian chooses the name Hadrian Gibson. Before Hadrian leaves, Count Mataro asks why he went to see the Cielcin, and Hadrian answers that he wanted to know whether Makisomn was a monster; Hadrian says he does not think so, because Makisomn was afraid.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweRunaway palatine exposed by Mataro; bargains for survival and becomes a disguised court ward.
- Count Balian MataroRuler of Emesh; interrogates Hadrian and decides to keep him as a useful hidden asset.
- Lord Luthor Shin-MataroMataro’s husband and finance minister; distrusts Hadrian and protests keeping him at court.
- Dame CamillaMataro’s lictor; guards the count closely and remains wary of Hadrian.
- Lady Liada OgirHigh Chancellor of Emesh; summoned to create false credentials for Hadrian.
- Tor VladimirScholiast associated with Mataro’s court; summoned to advise on Hadrian’s false identity.
- MakisomnCaptive Cielcin discussed in interrogation; Hadrian says Makisomn seemed afraid, not monstrous.