Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Guided by Arpix’s ichor “compass,” the group digs out a heavy, battered iron sphere that projects the plateau’s anti-skeer field. As it’s hauled upward, the skeer are forced back, proving the device’s power and portability. With Clovis failing, Salamonda summons Wentworth to track down Yute, hinting at the next move.
Summary
Evar reflects on Arpix’s plan to use skeer ichor as a compass, acknowledging its brilliance while the humans crawl through tight tunnels. He stays with Kerrol to nurse the poisoned and weakening Clovis, struggling with helplessness and the alien openness of sky and wind.
As night falls, skeer mass beyond the boundary stones. Evar, frustrated, confronts them with the Soldier’s white sword, but Kerrol warns it won’t help Clovis. When the skeer begin stepping past the stones, Evar fears the barrier has failed and orders Kerrol to get Clovis back.
Clovis forces herself up, seizes the sword, and advances. To Evar’s surprise, the skeer retreat from her, not from her threat but from something else pushing them back through the darkness.
The humans emerge from the mine with Arpix carrying a dented iron sphere. Kerrol notes that moving it shifted the repulsion field, explaining the skeer’s withdrawal. The device confirms a portable source of the anti-skeer protection.
Clovis urges taking the war to the enemy, but Arpix hopes to avoid that. At Arpix’s prompt, Salamonda calls for Wentworth to help locate Yute. The cat immediately heads toward the mountain, and Clovis—despite her pain—grimly claims vindication.
Who Appears
- EvarNarrates; torn between aiding the dig and nursing Clovis; confronts skeer and realizes the field forced them back.
- ArpixLeads the search using ichor as a compass; oversees the dig; retrieves the iron sphere projecting the anti-skeer field.
- ClovisGravely poisoned yet defiant; advances on skeer with the white sword; pushes to take the fight to the enemy.
- KerrolSupports Evar and Clovis; interprets the field’s movement and cautions Evar against reckless attacks.
- SalamondaOld human aiding the dig; summons Wentworth to track Yute once the device is found.
- WentworthThe cat responds to Salamonda’s call and heads toward the mountain to seek Yute.
- MeelanEmerges with the diggers, standing with Salamonda as the device is brought up.