Contents
Chapter Sixty-Five
Overview
At the Dragon Trial, the Fox briefly enters, panics, and flees, leaving Ruko and Neema to face the ordeal. Neema endures visions of her near future, the Bear monastery, and a doomed exile in Dolrun. A Dragon binding forbids disclosure. Ruko admits he saw himself on the throne and is declared victor. Afterward, Neema warns Ruko of a coming Return; they part in conflict as Rivenna arrives to secure his ascent.
Summary
Neema and Ruko arrive by boat at the storm-battered Imperial Temple for the Dragon Trial. Jadu, the Dragon’s Servant, warns that none leave unmarked. Inside, the Fox—inhabiting Cain—rampages in the Fox chapel until Jadu’s presence and the Dragon’s eye unsettle it. At the Eternal Path sigil, the Fox drinks the tea, steps through the wall, recoils in terror, and flees the temple, abandoning the Trial.
Neema drinks the Dragonscale tea and enters the fire. She endures excruciating passage into visions: first, her imminent walk along the service path; then a winter ascent to the Bear monastery, Anat-garra, and a solemn hall where she approaches a dais wearing the amethyst diadem. Pushing further, she sees a grey, poisoned forest where her future self lies fevered, self-exiled with a Raven’s Wing Order stitched to her chest, whispering “Dolrun” before dying. Neema rejects more and returns, shattered.
Ruko then completes his passage and returns looking renewed. Jadu binds both contenders with a searing net that prevents them from speaking of their visions, then asks a single compelled question of each: Neema did not see herself on the throne; Ruko did. By Dragon decree, Ruko wins. The temple empties, leaving them changed and in silent comprehension of their ordeal.
In private, Neema reveals what she can: the Raven showed Ruko on the throne and the Return of the Eight. She admits she nearly killed him to prevent it. She proposes claiming her victory to avert disaster, provoking Ruko’s fury. He accuses her of weakness for sparing him, while she urges him to govern without cruelty and resist Rivenna’s counsel.
Neema departs with the exhausted Sol. Rivenna sweeps in with courtiers and Hounds, exulting that the throne is theirs. Ruko demands news of Tala; Rivenna promises he will see her at the emperor’s reception and presses their shared ambition. Troubled by Neema’s warning, Ruko resolves to offer Neema the role of High Justice despite Rivenna’s evasions.
Who Appears
- Neema KraaRaven contender; endures Dragon Trial visions, sees future exile and Dolrun; warns Ruko of a catastrophic Return; refuses his overtures and leaves.
- Ruko ValitTiger contender; completes the Trial, admits seeing himself on the throne, is declared victor; clashes with Neema; seeks Tala; considers offering Neema High Justice.
- JaduServant of the Dragon; conducts the Trial, binds contenders from speaking of visions, adjudicates Ruko’s victory.
- The Fox (in Cain)First Guardian controlling Cain; enters the Trial, panics at what it sees, and flees the temple.
- SolRaven fragment; advises Neema, warns her during confrontation, appears as a raven and collapses from exhaustion.
- RivennaAbbess and Ruko’s Guardian-mother; arrives celebrating Ruko’s win, maneuvers to secure power, deflects concerns about Tala.
- HavocAdmiral; arrives celebrating with wine, then withdraws when tensions rise.
- Kindry RokLord Eternal; earlier tries to nudge Neema to serve Ruko; later joins the celebrating courtiers.