Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
Teg, balancing his new prescient-like reflexes, is covertly guided to Ysai by grateful veterans and hidden allies. In a protected bolt-hole, he meets Field Marshal Jafa Muzzafar of the Dur and a Suk doctor who verifies Teg’s condition while Teg devours vast food to recover. Muzzafar’s orders shift mid-meeting, and he warns that an Honored Matre is coming, signaling direct confrontation between Teg’s new abilities and the Scattering’s ruthless power.
Summary
At dawn, Miles Teg emerges from hiding near the main road to Ysai, cautiously testing a new doubled awareness gained under T-probe torture. Market gardeners close around him and reveal themselves as former soldiers from Renditai who now protect him. They spirit Teg into a concealed groundcar owned by the Planetary Bank of Gammu, signaling an organized network of local allies.
En route, the driver detours to a fortified house where a severely reconstructed man—grateful because Teg once saved his son—feeds Teg safe soup. Resuming the journey, the driver confirms Honored Matres hunt Teg everywhere. Teg notes Gammu’s long corruption and Ysai’s deliberate ugliness as they enter the city.
Teg reaches a high, shielded private room in his selected bolt-hole. There he meets Jafa Muzzafar, a Field Marshal from the Scattering’s Dur forces, who misreads Teg’s escape as a Burzmali-led rescue. A Suk doctor, Solitz, scans Teg and orders targeted nourishment. Teg’s body demands extraordinary quantities of food, which he consumes, masking the cause as a Mentat necessity.
Mid-meeting, Muzzafar receives new orders via an implant. His manner hardens; he declares it unsafe for Teg’s allies to attack and warns that an Honored Matre is on her way. Muzzafar withdraws, leaving Teg alert and confident his new abilities can meet the imminent threat as the Honored Matre consults nearby before entering.
Who Appears
- Miles TegBashar in flight; masters a new doubled awareness, regroups in Ysai, and prepares for an Honored Matre’s arrival.
- Jafa MuzzafarField Marshal of the Dur from the Scattering; hosts Teg, misreads events, then warns an Honored Matre is coming.
- SolitzSuk doctor with orange tattoo; scans Teg and orders restorative food suited to his stressed physiology.
- Planetary Bank driverProfessional chauffeur who covertly transports Teg to Ysai under bank immunity.
- Ruined man at safe houseCyborg-reconstructed host who serves safe soup and vows protection due to Teg’s past help.
- Serving womanCowled worker who keeps supplying food, shocked by Teg’s ravenous recovery.
- Honored Matre (approaching)Powerful adversary summoned to confront Teg; her imminent arrival raises immediate stakes.