The Eating Woods, #2
Eldritch
by Keri Lake
Contents
Chapter 4
Overview
In a flashback, Lord Belthane condemns Zevander and his father after revealing the father murdered a Solassion noble’s wife. To preserve trade and avoid war, Belthane trades Zevander to the Solassions, rejecting Lady Rydainn’s plea to take his place.
Father and son are spared execution but sent to the Cinderbone Mines.
Summary
In a past scene, shackled Zevander is brought with his father into King Sagaerin’s throne room, where Lord Belthane presides in the king’s absence. Lady Rydainn arrives to plead for mercy, admitting the family bargained with Cadavros for protection and study of Zevander’s magic, despite demutomancy being outlawed.
Belthane condemns the breach of the king’s law and reveals a graver crime: Zevander’s father murdered a Solassion woman, wife of Lord Vanhelm, provoking Solassion demands for the father and son. The revelation shatters Lady Rydainn’s trust, as she realizes her husband hid his betrayal behind mental shields.
When Lady Rydainn begs a pardon for Zevander, Belthane states the Solassions also demanded her, but he offered Zevander in her stead to preserve trade through the Australius Channel and avert conflict. She volunteers to take her son’s place, but Belthane refuses, saying the decision is final.
Belthane declares father and son will depart for Solassios the next day. Through payment of vivicantem and wine, King Jeret agreed to spare execution, condemning them instead to the Cinderbone Mines. Lady Rydainn’s influence cannot alter the bargain; Zevander and his father are sentenced to suffering to secure the realm’s shipping lifeline.
Who Appears
- ZevanderShackled before the throne; implicated through illegal studies; traded to Solassios and condemned to the Cinderbone Mines.
- Lord BelthaneKing’s advisor presiding; reveals the father’s murder; trades Zevander to secure passage; dictates sentence to the mines.
- Lady Rydainn (Lynara)Mother pleading for mercy; admits Cadavros bargain; devastated by husband’s crime; offers to replace Zevander but is refused.
- Elder Lord RydainnFather who killed a Solassion woman; begs forgiveness; surrendered with Zevander to Solassios and the Cinderbone Mines.