Chapter Twenty-Six: Facing Deceptions[edit | edit source]

Seeking Sedut to locate the Lord Priest’s Face, Ivin climbs to her camp above East Quarry, drawn by its strategic view of the Gediswon. Finding her in a bullhide yurt, he demands to know if Ulrikt or the Face is alive to assassinate the Malstefnê king, Trefifân, to end the siege per Ôlisbenar’s plan (Ch. 24). Sedut denies Ulrikt’s survival, claiming the Face is dead, its head delivered at Gediswon Ford (Ch. 4), but Ivin presses, citing Ôlisbenar’s ambition to claim the throne. As Sedut dismisses her suitability for assassination, another Sedut enters, exposing the first as the Face, whose features shift fluidly, mocking Ivin’s trust. The Face, admitting Ulrikt’s death and monstrous legacy, confirms its role in prolonging the Malstefnê-Malôbund war (Ch. 24) and agrees to kill Trefifân, estimating a one-to-two-month journey to Notôlhof through hostile lands. Ivin proposes suing for peace to delay the siege and provide the Face passage to Ôlisbenar’s camp, which it accepts, posing as a Tek woman. Claiming it didn’t kill Kotin but left the night die to signal a favor (Ch. 20), the Face exits, leaving Ivin questioning its motives. Sedut, evasive about Ulrikt’s fate, admits Meliu also hid the Face’s secret (Ch. 20), eroding Ivin’s trust. Despite doubts, Ivin secures Sedut’s commitment to fight in the war, departing into a gritty wind, resolved to orchestrate the assassination while grappling with deception and the looming Malstefnê threat.

WoG Chapter 25 — Mule Ears
WoG Chapter 27 — Rising from Low
Whispers of Ghosts — Main Chapter Listing