Contents
Chapter 32
Overview
Clovis, still weakened, refuses to rest and forces a search for Evar, who left carrying the key weapon. Arpix deduces the path of a rampaging metal guardian and leads them west. They confirm the automaton is smaller than the earlier giant and, following a blood trail, recover a wounded Evar.
The group avoids combat, preserves the weapon by finding its carrier, and reasserts shaky cohesion despite Clovis risking her life by leaving the sustaining circle.
Summary
In the canith library’s sustaining circle, Arpix urges the ailing Clovis to rest while Kerrol looks on. Clovis, restless and fiercely protective, overpowers Arpix and insists they search for Evar, who left carrying the crucial weapon. Despite the risk of leaving the circle’s support, Kerrol follows to keep the family together.
Arpix forbids their broader group from leaving the circle and hurries after the canith siblings. As they move west, Arpix reasons from the earlier crashing sounds that a destructive force entered from the west after they arrived. He proposes reaching the west door and tracing the damage to locate Evar.
At the west door they find a clear trail: shelves shattered, books pulverized, aisles widened by raw force. Rounding a corner reveals a colossal metal guardian—smaller than the previous giant that had hunted the canith, yet still immense. Arpix likens it to an outsized mechanical ganar and urges approaching from another aisle to preserve an escape route.
Circling for a safer angle, they spot fresh blood drops along the floor. Following the trail, they soon discover Evar hobbling, his leg badly hurt. Clovis yields the lifting to Arpix to avoid collapsing herself, while Kerrol takes Evar’s other side. They turn back toward the circle, avoiding a confrontation with the guardian and securing the weapon by rescuing its bearer.
Who Appears
- ClovisGravely weakened but defiant; insists on finding Evar; flirts, overpowers Arpix, and leads the search beyond the circle.
- ArpixStrategist and guide; stops others leaving, deduces the automaton’s trail from the west, and helps carry injured Evar.
- KerrolInjured canith; provides sardonic commentary, follows to support family, and helps steady Evar during the return.
- EvarMissing with the weapon; found bleeding and limping after confronting the metal guardian; accepts help from Arpix and Kerrol.
- Metal guardian (automaton)Immense mechanical predator; smaller than a prior giant; its destructive trail leads the group to Evar.