The Locked Tomb, #1
Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
Gideon and Harrow arrive at the dazzling, ruined First House and meet Teacher, a priestly servant of the Emperor who welcomes the invited heirs and cavaliers. The chapter expands the story beyond the Ninth by introducing the other Houses as rivals or fellow candidates, including the troubling Third House twins and the dangerously ill Lady Dulcinea of the Seventh.
Gideon’s impulsive rescue of Dulcinea creates the Ninth’s first public incident, but Harrow unexpectedly defends Gideon as her cavalier. Dulcinea’s illness and charm leave Gideon unsettled, adding both danger and emotional complication to the Lyctor trial gathering.
Summary
Gideon and Harrow travel by remotely piloted shuttle to the First House, where no one may land without explicit invitation. Gideon is overwhelmed by the planet’s blue brilliance, water, and ruined splendor, while Harrow hides behind a veil and concentrates intensely, showing strain despite her usual control.
As the shuttle descends, both Gideon and Harrow are shaken by the light, atmosphere, and sheer presence of the First House. They land at a vast, decaying palace-fortress on the water, beautiful but ruined and overgrown. Harrow immediately performs the Ninth House’s formal piety, and Gideon follows her lead.
A small old priest called Teacher greets them on behalf of the First House and the Emperor. Harrow explains that Ortus Nigenad has abdicated and that Gideon Nav is now cavalier primary. Gideon notices that only six shuttles have landed, prompting Teacher to explain that the Third and Seventh Houses have been delayed by inconsistencies.
The Third House arrives with three people: a male cavalier and two blond young women who appear to be twins, a circumstance Harrow calls an ill omen. The Seventh House then lands, and its lady collapses from illness and blood loss. Gideon runs to help her, but the woman’s cavalier, Protesilaus, instantly puts a blade to Gideon’s neck.
The sick woman orders Protesilaus to stand down and apologizes with amused delight, introducing herself as Lady Dulcinea Septimus, duchess of Castle Rhodes, and him as Protesilaus the Seventh. Harrow coldly defends Gideon by warning them to keep their sword off her cavalier, then withdraws, forcing Gideon to follow. Teacher explains that a fatal blood flaw runs in the Seventh ruling line and that Dulcinea was not expected to live to twenty-five.
Who Appears
- Gideon NavNinth cavalier; awed by the First House and impulsively rescues Dulcinea.
- Harrowhark NonagesimusNinth necromancer; strained by the First House but formally asserts control and defends Gideon.
- TeacherFirst House priest and guide; welcomes the Ninth and explains arrivals and Dulcinea’s illness.
- Dulcinea SeptimusLady of the Seventh; gravely ill, charming, and delighted by Gideon’s rescue.
- Protesilaus the SeventhDulcinea’s overprotective cavalier; draws his sword on Gideon after Dulcinea collapses.
- The Third House twinsTwo blond adepts whose joint arrival creates an inconsistency and draws Harrow’s suspicion.
- Third House cavalierOrnate young cavalier accompanying the Third House twins during their delayed arrival.