Contents
Chapter Twenty-Five
Overview
Neema survives her bout with Shal, nearly killing him under a Dragonscale-fueled, raven-tinged surge before stopping herself and yielding the match. Ruko then dismantles a grieving, exhausted Katsan, revealing ruthless preparation and elevating himself as the likely Festival victor. Neema and Cain suspect Tiger-side complicity in Gaida’s death.
Summary
Neema steps onto the fight platform overwhelmed by the crowd and fear, while Shal remains calm. In round one, Shal honors his promise to go easy, guiding Neema through a believable contest and taking the round. Neema battles panic and determination, refusing to call stop despite exhaustion.
For the weapons round, Neema chooses a raven-wing shield and a leather cosh. A giant raven—the supposed Second Guardian—appears to Neema alone, which she dismisses as Dragonscale aftereffects. Mid-bout, time seems to slow; empowered with uncanny clarity, Neema drives Shal to the ropes and nearly impales him with the shield’s beak-like point, but stops at the last instant. The abbot awards her the round as the crowd deems it a fluke.
Neema confides in Benna that she was heavily dosed with Dragonscale oil the previous night and fears loss of control. In round three, Shal quickly incapacitates her; Neema calls stop, giving him the victory. Shal rebuffs her apology, and Ruko chillingly notes his interest in her.
Attention shifts to Ruko versus Katsan. Katsan, reeling from heat and grief over Gaida, struggles while Ruko fights with inexhaustible focus. Neema realizes Ruko conserved energy earlier, anticipating Fox Trial losses. Katsan wins the weapons round on skill but is spent, and Ruko dominates the final round until she calls stop, losing another half point.
As the square falls silent at Ruko’s superiority, Tala fears his inevitable ascent. Neema and Cain quietly consider whether the Tiger abbess could be behind Gaida’s murder that advantaged Ruko. The emperor appears to watch, and the silent Visitor observes from the line.
Who Appears
- Neema (Contender Kraa)Raven contender; panics, nearly impales Shal under Dragonscale surge and raven vision, then yields and suspects Tiger complicity.
- RukoTiger contender; conserves energy, then devastates Katsan, establishing himself as dominant and likely future emperor.
- ShalHound contender; fights gently at first, then finishes decisively after Neema’s near-lethal lapse; rejects her apology.
- KatsanBear champion; weakened by heat and grief, wins weapons round but ultimately stops the fight, dropping below zero.
- BennaNeema’s corner support; tends her, hears Dragonscale confession, reassures Neema about controlling herself.
- Abbot FortMaster of bouts; calls rounds, notes Neema’s weapons round, declares Shal and Ruko victors.
- CainRaven contender; snipes at Neema, quietly agrees to check the Tiger abbess’s alibi.
- TalaFox contender; reacts to Ruko’s dominance, fears his ascension, comments on Katsan’s struggle.
- The Second Guardian (giant raven)Mysterious raven presence; appears to Neema, seems to slow time, amplifying her prowess.
- HavocObserver; attributes Katsan’s weakness to heat exhaustion.
- The EmperorAppears for the headline bout; his presence underscores stakes as Ruko dominates.
- The VisitorSilent onlooker at the line; watches events unfold, offering no comment.