Chapter Sixty-Three

In the storm-damaged Tiger palace gardens, Abbess Rivenna walks with Ruko in silence before recalling his early days at the monastery. She reminds Ruko how she exploited his fear and weakness at night, steering him to trust the “Tiger” voice that promised strength and rulership if he obeyed.

Rivenna recounts Ruko’s first lesson: murdering the dorm spy who knew Ruko cried at night. The horror gave way to the returning voice, reinforcing numbness and obedience. This memory establishes Rivenna’s control and the conditioning that made Ruko lethal.

Stopping by a broken fountain, Rivenna probes Ruko’s recent choice to save the Oxwoman, Tala, recognizing it did not come from the Tiger’s counsel. She scorns his compassion, noting it cost him position in the latest Trial and accusing him of misplacing loyalty among contenders who would not mourn him.

Rivenna issues a direct order: Ruko must kill Cain on the platform, not merely defeat him. She ties this command to his ambition for the throne and mocks his earlier mercy toward the Raven contender, blaming his setback on that restraint.

To ensure compliance, Rivenna threatens to kill Tala before day’s end if Ruko fails to kill the Fox contender. Ruko suppresses his anger, reaffirming he will eliminate Cain. They end with a cold acknowledgment that the path to the throne is narrow and must be walked alone, departing in separate directions.