Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
Contents
Chapter 3
Overview
Bomardi forces breach the castle, forcing Briony and Cordelia to flee through servants’ passages. Briony injures Reighven from above, then the pair rescue a Shurtarthian maid from Gains and another attacker. Guided into hidden corridors, they attempt escape, but an explosion brings the ceiling down, cutting Briony off from Cordelia.
Summary
Briony and Cordelia race from a balcony as Bomardi soldiers flood the castle courtyard. Spotting Reighven about to kill a footman, Briony uses her magic to topple and explode a statue, smashing his shoulder and startling the attackers, who then spot the women.
The pair flee through familiar servants’ corridors, hiding in a linen closet as Caspar Quill orders rooms searched. Briony realizes the invaders are men she once greeted at court. When two soldiers assault a maid, Briony and Cordelia burst out, magically hurling shattered door shards that impale both men. The maid fights back with a candlestick, and Gains is badly wounded.
The Shurtarthian maid urges escape via a hidden passage. Together they descend to the third floor, pass the burning Evermore flag, and enter a second passage concealed behind the queen’s portrait. Briony lingers to close the frame.
An explosive blast shakes the stonework. As Cordelia turns on the stairs below, the ceiling collapses between them, cutting off Briony’s view and separating the friends in the dark.
Who Appears
- Princess BrionyProtagonist; uses force-magic to strike Reighven, leads escape, rescues a maid, and is separated from Cordelia by an explosion.
- CordeliaBriony’s ally; flees with her, helps subdue attackers with levitated shards, lights their passage, then is cut off by a cave-in.
- Shurtarthian maidAssaulted by Bomardi; aided by Briony and Cordelia; guides them through secret passages to escape.
- Caspar QuillBomardi officer leading the search inside the castle; his orders force Briony and Cordelia into hiding.
- GainsBomardi attacker who attempts to assault the maid; wounded by Cordelia’s magic-driven shard.
- ReighvenVicious Bomardi soldier; injured in the courtyard by Briony’s exploded statue.