The Locked Tomb, #3
Nona the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
Contents
6
Overview
While Pyrrha works late, Nona and Camilla share a quiet evening that turns unexpectedly serious when Camilla asks whether Nona wants to leave and whether Nona is keeping secrets. Camilla then retells how Palamedes saved Nona, how Pyrrha helped them escape, and how the Sixth House broke from the Houses under Blood of Eden’s uneasy protection.
The chapter deepens Nona’s fragile sense of home while revealing more of the political and personal history surrounding Camilla, Palamedes, Pyrrha, We Suffer, and the Sixth. It also shows that Camilla is worried about Nona’s hidden knowledge or identity, even as Nona clings to the comfort of their makeshift family.
Summary
Pyrrha works late demolishing an unstable building, a job delayed by disputes over whether the militia or the old civic government should pay the workers. At the dairy, two old men argue about the Houses and payment, then soften when they notice Nona. Nona sincerely says she only cares that Pyrrha gets paid because Nona wants a birthday present, and the men laugh and give Nona coffee coupons.
At home, Camilla prepares bathwater while Nona washes and asks to be read problem-column letters from old news sheets. Camilla unexpectedly asks whether Nona would ever want to leave the city and live on a farm with Camilla, Palamedes, and Pyrrha. Nona is startled because Nona loves their home, and when Camilla asks if Nona is hiding anything, Nona admits yes but only promises to tell Camilla or Palamedes if Nona becomes scared or uncertain.
After bathing and eating melon, Nona and Camilla settle into bed in the lingering heat. Nona asks Camilla for a bedtime story, specifically the story of how Camilla and Palamedes met Nona. Camilla explains that Palamedes saved Nona after Nona was hurt, even though Palamedes lacked a body, and that Pyrrha helped them escape an attack in which they lost people, ships, and something very important.
Camilla recounts that many others considered Nona and Pyrrha too dangerous, but We Suffer trusted Camilla and Palamedes enough to let them stay. Camilla found a way for Palamedes to return, and Palamedes wanted to use the break clause to remove his family from the Houses. The Sixth House followed after debate, Blood of Eden negotiations began, and Nona slowly woke and learned to speak under Camilla’s care.
Nona presses for the more adult version of the story. Camilla explains that We Suffer hates Pyrrha because Pyrrha’s best friend killed We Suffer’s boss, and that the Sixth left the Houses because they doubted the morality of what they had been doing. Camilla adds that the blue light appeared and Blood of Eden had either lied or lost the power to protect them. Nona falls asleep happy after Pyrrha quietly returns home and Camilla tells Pyrrha not to wake Nona.
Who Appears
- NonaEnjoys domestic comfort, admits hiding something, and asks how Camilla first met her.
- Camilla HectCares for Nona, worries about her secrets, and recounts their escape and defection.
- Pyrrha DveWorks late on demolition, remains central to Nona’s home, and returns quietly at bedtime.
- Palamedes SextusDescribed in Camilla’s story as Nona’s rescuer and the Sixth’s leader.
- We SufferBlood of Eden figure who once trusted Camilla and Palamedes despite fearing Pyrrha.