Contents
Chapter Eighteen
Overview
The Festival opens amid shock as the Dragon proxy is revealed to be Visitor Pyke, stripped of Dragonfire and openly vowing to kill Ruko. Cain defeats Tala, while Pyke deliberately lets Havoc win, humiliating the Monkey contender. Shal’s sudden illness and Katsan’s anger at Neema’s inquiry heighten suspicion and fracture the contenders’ unity.
Summary
Neema takes her place between Cain and Ruko as the Day of the Fox begins. Spotting Princess Yasila distant from the emperor, Neema recalls Yasila’s deception and considers her motive to frame her son. Abbot Fort honors Gaida, then calls for the Dragons’ proxy.
A grey-haired man enters: a Dragon moving with serpentine grace. Ruko identifies him as Visitor Pyke. His eyes are blue-grey, revealing his Dragonfire has been extinguished to meet Festival Laws. Pyke greets Ruko as “Sister-Killer” and declares he is here to kill him, rattling the crowd before taking his place in the line.
Fort distracts the uneasy square with agile Fox novices, then opens the Festival. Cain and Tala fight first: Tala’s Ox strength checks Cain’s opening ambush, but Cain’s Fox agility and training dominate the weapons round. Despite Tala’s stamina surge late, Cain wins the match and two opening points; the pair part amicably.
Havoc then faces Visitor Pyke. Early exchanges show Havoc’s mastery and confidence, but Neema and Cain notice Pyke’s deliberate underperformance—absorbing only light blows and evading true danger by precise margins. During the weapons round, Havoc’s “spontoon” display is undercut when Pyke effortlessly floors and mock-kills him, then pointedly allows Havoc to take the match, turning victory into embarrassment.
Amid the bouts, Shal suffers violent sickness from alleged bad eel; his contingent files a complaint. Neema doubts banquet poisoning and notes his inadvertent alibi for last night. When Tala asks if Neema investigates Gaida’s murder, Neema confirms, provoking an angry outburst from Katsan, exposing rifts among contenders as the Festival proceeds.
Who Appears
- NeemaRaven scribe-turned-contender; observes Yasila’s motives, reads Pyke’s ruse, notes Shal’s alibi, confirms she leads Gaida’s murder inquiry.
- Visitor PykeDragon proxy stripped of Dragonfire; publicly vows to kill Ruko; disguises skill and deliberately lets Havoc win.
- Ruko ValitExiled twin; trades barbs with Pyke, unfazed by threat; critiques Cain and observes Pyke intensely.
- CainFox contender; wins against Tala, spots Pyke’s concealed technique, banters while supporting Neema.
- HavocMonkey contender; defeats Pyke, unaware Pyke staged the loss; his showy victory becomes humiliating.
- TalaOx contender; strong and resilient but loses to Cain; queries Neema’s investigation, friendly in defeat.
- KatsanBear contender; formally respectful to Pyke; erupts in anger on learning Neema is investigating.
- Shal WorthyHound contender; violently ill with suspected food poisoning, creating an alibi; maintains decorum despite sickness.
- Abbot Ish FortFox abbot; opens the Festival, manages crowd mood with novice display, officiates bouts and results.
- Princess YasilaVeiled, distant from the emperor; past trick on Neema fuels suspicion she may frame her son.
- The EmperorPresides from the balcony; watches Pyke versus Havoc intently as the crowd’s mood shifts.