Contents
Chapter Eighty
Overview
Neema and Cain flee the garrison as Vabras attacks, leaping into the sea when their platform is cut loose. Stranded among rocks, they are rescued by Fort and Tala aboard a disguised chicken boat, a Fox-devised ruse. Safe under canvas with Sol recovering, Neema and Cain reaffirm love and their enduring "flock."
Summary
At the garrison, Neema and Cain find signs Tala has passed through—three dead Hounds and Sol’s purple-black smear. As Vabras advances across the Mirror Bridge to brand them traitors, they block the door and lower themselves on a creaking platform down the sea-battered rock.
Vabras hacks a pulley rope, snapping it and pitching the platform askew. With the mechanism failing, Cain jumps first into the surf and survives. Neema follows, narrowly missing the rocks before surfacing. The ruined platform’s fall strands Vabras above, ironically freeing them from pursuit.
Clinging to separate rocks in the heavy swell, Neema and Cain spot a small merchant boat approaching. Expecting danger, they instead recognize Fort—newly washed and unrecognizable—steering a chicken-laden craft, with Tala aboard. The Fox had hidden Fort beneath his chapel floor and ordered the chicken ruse to fool the Hounds, enabling this rescue.
Tala and Fort haul Cain, Neema, and the Bear pack aboard, then conceal them under canvas. Exhausted and aching, Neema sleeps against Cain. Sol, alive but healing, rests in a basket under gingham; Neema praises his fight against the Hounds, reassuring him their “flock” is permanent.
As the fleet moves away and the boat rides the swells, Neema and Cain share a quiet moment of safety and love. With plans deferred until landfall, they embrace a rare peace, holding to each other, Sol, and their renewed bond.
Who Appears
- NeemaProtagonist; escapes Vabras by leaping into the sea, is rescued, reaffirms love with Cain, and declares their flock permanent.
- CainEscapes with Neema via the collapsing platform, survives the jump, recognizes Fort’s boat, and shares a quiet reunion with Neema.
- VabrasHigh Commander, host to the Fox; attacks the pulley rope, inadvertently freeing Neema and Cain when the platform collapses.
- TalaArrives on the boat with Fort; helps haul Neema and Cain aboard, tends them, and provides safe passage.
- Fort (Ish/Ishmahir)Abbot hidden by the Fox’s chicken ruse; pilots the merchant boat that rescues Neema and Cain.
- SolInjured companion recovering in a basket; seeks reassurance and is affirmed as part of the permanent flock.