Contents
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Overview
Neema’s planned escape collapses when Abbot Fort reveals eight Leviathans blockade the waters. The emperor refuses her plea to leave, reassigns the murder probe to Vabras, and accelerates the Festival with harsher rules. Scheduled to fight Ruko and then Brundt, Neema unravels. Meanwhile, Benna, drunk and adrift, finds resolve in a dream.
Summary
At the garden gates, Abbot Ish Fort staggers into Neema and whispers that the escape boat cannot reach them: five more Leviathans have arrived, bringing the total to eight warships and sixteen hundred troops. Neema, stunned, sits alone until the emperor arrives, dismisses his guards, and speaks gently. When Neema asks to be released to return to Scartown, he refuses—"Impossible"—and coolly shifts the murder investigation to Vabras.
The reception, framed as a memorial for Gaida, unfolds as an opulent court dinner clearly designed around Neema. She sits with Fenn, Facet, Tala and Sunur; Facet and Fenn recall Shimmer Arbell’s obsession during the Dedication. Cain checks on Neema, while Kindry delivers results and a perfunctory toast to Gaida.
The emperor addresses unrest across Orrun and declares the Festival will accelerate to two Trials per day so a new ruler can take the throne in three days. He condemns the contenders for holding back and orders new rules: no shields and fights continue until the bell. The contenders are visibly unsettled.
Vabras reads the next day’s schedule: in the morning Neema (Kraa) must fight Ruko Valit; in the evening she must fight again—Brundt of the Bears—if she survives. Realizing she has been maneuvered toward likely death without a direct execution, Neema laughs uncontrollably and nearly collapses.
Later, back in their quarters, a drunken, face-painted Benna helps little and wanders to her own tiny room—one Neema gave up for her. Overwhelmed by gratitude and guilt, Benna clutches a stuffed Mordir bear, wonders what to do, and falls asleep; in her dreams, she discovers her answer.
Who Appears
- Neema KraaProtagonist; learns the harbor is blockaded, begs to leave, is refused, and is slated to fight Ruko then Brundt; emotionally unravels.
- Emperor Bersun (Gedrun)Imposter emperor; refuses Neema’s plea, hands probe to Vabras, accelerates Trials, bans shields, and signals ruthless expectations.
- Abbot Ish FortFeigns drunkenness to warn Neema the escape boat can’t get through; reports eight Leviathans and sixteen hundred troops.
- VabrasMinister; takes over the murder investigation and announces the accelerated fight schedule targeting Neema.
- Ruko ValitContender for the Tigers; converses with the emperor; scheduled to fight Neema first the next day.
- FennHigh Engineer; comforts Neema, reminisces about Shimmer Arbell, offers to appeal to the emperor for her.
- FacetJeweller; recalls an unsettling encounter with Shimmer Arbell during the Dedication; briefly praises Neema’s necklace.
- Cain BallariContender; checks on Neema, trades barbs about Kindry, and notes the court’s callousness.
- Lord KindryCourtier; delivers results, gives a perfunctory toast to Gaida, and preens over his new title.
- TalaContender; impatient at the reception, sits opposite Neema in bronze evening wear.
- BennaNeema’s ally; very drunk, moved by having a room of her own, and finds determination in a dream.
- Shal WorthyContender; cited by the emperor for conservative fighting; scheduled later against the Dragon Proxy.
- Katsan BrundtBear contender; slated to face Neema in the evening bout, likely seeking vengeance for Gaida.
- HavocContender; weary and disengaged during the long reception.
- Rivenna GlorrenRuko’s abbess; poised and feline, attends near the emperor.
- SunurScholarly ally; offers light banter at Neema’s table.