Contents
Chapter Twenty-Four
Overview
High Commander Hol Vabras relocates contenders to the Palace of the Awakening Dragon for protection after Gaida’s murder, sparking protests and bribery for rooms. Neema is assigned a shabby apartment, learns Ruko was meeting someone, and hears Sunur’s searing memory of Yana’s exile. A delivery reveals Neema’s new Raven uniform incorporates Gaida’s tunic, underscoring the unresolved murder as Neema readies to face Shal.
Summary
Neema sends Fenn a note canceling their armoury meet—she now has her own weapons. In the wake of Gaida’s murder, High Commander Hol Vabras moves all contenders to the Palace of the Awakening Dragon under Imperial Hound protection, despite furious protests from contingents, especially the Dragons. Bribery follows; Kindry assigns Neema the worst apartment, and warns she has until sundown to search Gaida’s rooms as the Flock grows impatient.
On her balcony, Neema surveys the Festival Square and the Raven palace, reminding herself of the looming investigation. Sunur, Tala’s wife, strikes up a tense conversation about the forced move and security, probing whether it feels like imprisonment. Neema downplays it, but Sunur’s unease persists.
Sunur reveals she saw Ruko in the orchard with a hidden note and admits she insulted him. Her pain surfaces as she recounts witnessing Yana’s Procession of Exile, coerced by Hounds to jeer while neighbors hurled abuse. Sunur insists on remembering Yana—Yanara Valit—despite the danger, while Neema cautions her, aware of the risk and her own complicity.
As crowds gather for the afternoon fights, Neema receives two Raven contender uniforms from Grace Eliat. She discovers the front panel was cut from Gaida’s tunic, a grim reminder of the unresolved killing. Testing the fit, Neema steels herself: she will soon face Shal Worthy, yet still must search Gaida’s rooms before sundown, under pressure from the Flock.
Who Appears
- Neema KraaRaven contender; moved under guard, assigned a poor room, probes Ruko’s secret meeting, receives uniform made from Gaida’s tunic, prepares to fight Shal.
- SunurTala’s wife; saw Ruko with a note, confronts him, recalls Yana’s coerced public shaming, challenges the pretense of safety.
- High Commander Hol VabrasOrders contenders relocated to the Palace of the Awakening Dragon for protection, unmoved by protests.
- KindryRaven leader; withholds bribes, gives Neema the worst apartment, sets sundown deadline to search Gaida’s rooms.
- Ruko ValitSpotted in the orchard with a note; subject of Sunur’s anger and Neema’s inquiry.
- Grace EliatDesigner who delivers Neema’s Raven uniforms; one incorporates Gaida’s tunic front panel.
- BennaNeema’s re-hired assistant; thrilled to join the Festival and handles errands.
- Shal WorthyUpcoming opponent; Neema steels herself to fight Shal in the afternoon bouts.
- FennReceives Neema’s note canceling an armoury meet; made a wooden ox for Suru.
- GaidaMurder victim; her tunic is repurposed into Neema’s uniform, emphasizing the ongoing investigation.
- SuruSunur’s child; briefly appears playing, highlighting Sunur’s family life amid tension.