Contents
Chapter Thirty-Four
Overview
Neema’s bout with Tala ends in a draw, bolstering her standing. Overhearing from the imperial balcony, the Raven learns Bersun views Neema as expendable and strikes Vabras for hesitating, while grooming Ruko as a feared heir. Bersun’s humming of an ancient song briefly ensnares the Raven, revealing his dangerous power.
Summary
The chapter opens with Neema’s fight against Tala ending in a draw, each earning one point. Benna celebrates Neema’s performance, and Tala commends Neema for serving the Raven well. The Raven narrator sulks after Neema rejects its help, rationalizing her collapse as stress and heat.
Seeking a vantage, the Raven perches on the imperial balcony and overhears Emperor Bersun and High Commander Vabras debating Neema. Vabras argues they cannot kill another Raven contender so soon and reiterates the plan to let Neema find the thief, then silence her if she learns too much. Bersun challenges Vabras’s resolve, accusing him of sympathy for Neema, and suddenly strikes him, forcing an apology.
Bersun publicly softens, then studies the contenders. He fixates on Ruko’s cold magnetism, crediting Ruko’s betrayal of his sister and loss of his mother’s love for shaping a perfect tyrant-in-waiting. Seeing Neema look more credible, Bersun fondly concludes she must be removed but decides to find a subtler path rather than immediate action.
As Cain duels the Dragon Proxy without spirit, Bersun hums the ancient song “Come to the Mountain.” The melody grips the Raven like sticky tar, pinning its wings and nearly sending it crashing before it tears free and flees to the Raven palace roof. Shaken, the Raven debates whether to warn Dragon but, anxious about admitting its misstep and comforted by preening, resolves to keep the incident secret.
Calming itself among the service roofs and bins, the Raven tries to forget the balcony’s revelations and the song’s power, deciding to wait there for Neema. The chapter closes with the Raven choosing silence even as Bersun contemplates a new method to eliminate Neema.
Who Appears
- The Raven (plural narrator)Sulks after Neema’s rejection, overhears imperial plotting, is ensnared by Bersun’s song, escapes, and chooses not to warn Dragon.
- Neema KraaRaven contender; draws with Tala, gains crowd praise, becomes the focus of Bersun’s plans to eliminate her.
- Emperor BersunPlots Neema’s disposal, assaults Vabras, exalts Ruko’s fearsome image, and uses an ancient song that traps the Raven.
- VabrasHigh Commander; argues for using Neema to find the thief, is struck by Bersun, betrays concern for her, and backs down.
- RukoContender; observed as fearsome and compelling. Bersun deems him the perfect tyrant-in-waiting shaped by past betrayal.
- TalaOpponent in the bout; fights Neema to a draw and acknowledges her service to the Raven.
- BennaCheering supporter; ecstatic at Neema’s performance, echoing the crowd’s approval.
- CainContender; fights a lackluster weapons round with the Dragon Proxy during the emperor’s observations.
- Dragon Proxy (Visitor)Cain’s opponent in the weapons round; appears reluctant to fight.
- YasilaReferenced as having spoken with Neema; her discretion worries Bersun but reassures Vabras.
- GaidaReferenced via the song she performed; the same melody empowers Bersun to snare the Raven.