The Locked Tomb, #1
Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
The Third attempts to exploit Camilla’s wounds by challenging the Sixth, but Gideon, Harrow, and the Fourth intervene, creating a fragile alliance against predatory opportunism. Palamedes reveals that only one key remains unaccounted for and reframes the trials as pieces of a larger Lyctoral theorem hidden behind the facility doors.
The chapter shifts the group from open dueling to coordinated investigation: some will guard the vulnerable Dulcinea, while Gideon and the Fourth search below for Protesilaus. Harrow’s public trust in Gideon and Palamedes’s trust in Harrow mark important changes in alliances and in Gideon and Harrow’s relationship.
Summary
Naberius Tern tries to challenge the newly battered Sixth House after Camilla defeats the Second. Judith Deuteros objects that the Third has no cause, but Ianthe argues Judith has already proved the rules are meaningless. Ianthe presses Coronabeth to accept the move, and Coronabeth, exhausted and ashamed, yields to her sister’s lead.
Gideon, disgusted by the opportunism, prepares to fight for the Sixth. Harrow unexpectedly supports Gideon and declares that the Ninth House will represent the Sixth, framing the decision as refusal to let scavengers profit. Jeannemary then declares that the Fourth House will also stand with Camilla, forcing Naberius to back down.
After the hostile Houses disperse, Palamedes explains that all challenge keys have been claimed except one that remains unaccounted for. He says completing already-finished challenges may still teach necromantic principles, but the real theorems are behind locked doors. The group concludes that all eight studies likely contribute to a larger secret of Lyctorhood.
The Fourth admits they have been watching the others and saw Protesilaus go into the facility after overhearing the Ninth and Sixth. Palamedes reasons that Dulcinea gave Protesilaus her hatch key, since her remaining ring held only challenge keys. He connects three urgent problems: the missing Seventh cavalier, the unidentified cremains in the incinerator, and the murders of Abigail and Magnus.
Palamedes proposes splitting up: the Fourth and Gideon will search the facility for Protesilaus, while Harrow, Palamedes, and the wounded Camilla will guard Dulcinea. Harrow is surprised that Palamedes trusts her despite Camilla’s injury and the Sixth’s keys, but Palamedes states plainly that he trusts Harrow more than Silas or Ianthe. Harrow gives Gideon the Ninth’s keys and warns her not to underestimate the Fourth.
Before leaving, Gideon impulsively hugs Harrow and thanks her for backing Gideon up, leaving Harrow stunned and embarrassed. Jeannemary asks how long Gideon and Harrow have been paired, prompting Gideon to reflect uncertainly on cavalier-necromancer duty. Gideon answers that it feels like forever, puts on her glasses, and leads the Fourth toward the facility.
Who Appears
- Gideon NavBacks the wounded Sixth, receives Harrow’s keys, and leads the Fourth to search the facility.
- Harrowhark NonagesimusPublicly represents the Sixth, accepts Palamedes’s trust, and sends Gideon to search below.
- Palamedes SextusExplains the key count, theorizes about Lyctoral studies, and organizes the split investigation.
- Camilla HectWounded after the previous duel, remains central to Sixth vulnerability and Palamedes’s caution.
- Jeannemary ChaturPledges the Fourth to defend Camilla and joins Gideon in searching for Protesilaus.
- Isaac TettaresSupports Jeannemary, helps reason through the keys, and prioritizes Abigail and Magnus’s murders.
- Ianthe TridentariusEncourages Naberius’s opportunistic challenge and pressures Coronabeth to accept ruthless tactics.
- Coronabeth TridentariusStruggles with shame and anger before yielding to Ianthe’s decision to challenge.
- Naberius TernIssues the Third’s challenge against the weakened Sixth, then retreats when allies intervene.
- Judith DeuterosObjects to the Third’s challenge while tending to her wounded cavalier.
- Silas OctakiseronDismisses Palamedes and leaves with Colum, planning to search for Protesilaus.
- Dulcinea SeptimusAbsent from the room but identified as vulnerable and in need of guarding.
- Protesilaus EbdomaMissing Seventh cavalier believed to have entered the facility with Dulcinea’s hatch key.