The Eating Woods, #2
Eldritch
by Keri Lake
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Four days earlier, Kazhimyr and Ravezio break free from brutal interrogations in Nyxteros, killing a cupbearer during their escape. Hiding in the undercroft, they overhear Captain Zivant mobilize to pursue King Jeret over the missing Prince Dorjan and blame the Letalisz, ordering their crucifixion. This sets political stakes and paints the Letalisz as scapegoats.
Summary
Four days before the present, Kazhimyr endures chained torture in Nyxteros, parched from blood-magic suppression and weakened by wounds and forced Nilmirth. Captain Zivant interrogates him about Zevander and the supposedly dead Dolion. A panicked cupbearer interrupts, reporting King Jeret’s departure and Prince Dorjan’s disappearance, pulling Zivant away.
Left with the trembling youth, Kazhimyr asks for water. When the boy offers Ravezio a drink, Ravezio spits venomous blood into his face, killing him. Using the iron ladle’s hook, Ravezio picks his shackles and then frees Kazhimyr. They quickly dress and slip into the castle’s shadowed undercroft as alarms rise.
Hiding in an alcove, they overhear Zivant directing forces: quell riots, round up Solassions for Bonesguard, and send a contingent after King Jeret. With Lord Belthane and Zivant’s second, Zivant reasons Jeret will not kill Dorjan, citing Kael Vexmoor’s vengeful campaign against Jeret and predicting Jeret’s path toward Lunamarys Falls.
When a guard announces the Letalisz escape and the cupbearer’s death, Zivant orders a castle-wide hunt and decrees the Letalisz be crucified, accusing them of conspiring to kidnap the prince. Kazhimyr and Ravezio slip deeper into the maze, now fugitives and scapegoats amid escalating political conflict.
Who Appears
- KazhimyrLetalisz captive; tortured and drugged, freed by Ravezio; escapes and overhears Zivant’s plans and false charges.
- RavezioLetalisz captive; kills the cupbearer with venomous blood, picks locks with a ladle, escapes with Kazhimyr.
- Captain ZivantNyxteros captain; tortures Letalisz, mobilizes pursuit of King Jeret, frames Letalisz and orders crucifixion.
- CupbearerYoung royal servant; summons Zivant, then is killed by Ravezio’s venom during the escape.
- Lord BelthaneRoyal advisor; debates strategy with Zivant, suggests Veneficarys aid, present during planning.
- Zivant’s second-in-commandTorturer and aide; argues about handling riots and logistics while coordinating with Zivant.
- Guard messengerReports the Letalisz escape and cupbearer’s death, triggering Zivant’s crucifixion order.