34. The Tiger’s Sister

Kinch steals opium from Minister Zherit Dayborn while the minister is distracted, noting that a sathium tunnel between their corridors is inexplicably wet with saltwater. He delivers the opium, earns measured favor, and reflects that he has learned the palace and made himself useful to powerful people.

Seeking the city’s measure, Kinch roams Erydon by night. He observes its stone labyrinth and luminous beetle-shell streets, corrupt guards, giant thieves, and a madman begging by howling. Three intoxicated cyclopes detain him for a poetry exchange before deciding to kiss rather than kill him, prompting Kinch to adopt a plausible nocturnal-slave persona to move safely.

Remembering his true purpose, Kinch heads to the Ludus of the King’s Own Dead. He unlocks Galva’s cage with the skeleton key from Zherit-Nassk and cautiously enters, calming his fear as Jubel the tiger shows trust in Galva. When footsteps approach, Galva shields Kinch under a goatskin and they convincingly masquerade as gladiator and lover; the guards depart, calling Galva the “tiger’s sister.”

They discuss escape: Kinch proposes a distraction, supplies, camels, and a better mountain route. Galva shares that her likely next opponent is Apia, a swift, long-reaching Istrean slakesword, and reflects on how poverty shapes deadly choices. Before Kinch leaves, Galva urges haste, sharing a rumor that goblins from the Horde are in Erydon as emissaries, not slaves.

The prospect of an Erydon–goblin accord horrifies Kinch, who imagines its consequences for Manreach. Two days later, he learns the rumor is true, confirming a new, ominous turn in the wider conflict.