Chapter Twenty-Seven: Rising from Low[edit | edit source]

Rinold, anticipating Nehek’s escape plan, grows restless over three sleepless nights, but on the fourth day, Histê guards lead the Silone to Tekekî’s arena as usual, where Mistress Hukêlê oversees their transfer to a caged wagon train pulled by horned beasts. Nehek, signaling covertly, locks Rinold’s chains, hiding a key he fails to notice. As the convoy travels a rough road, a staged wagon crash triggers Nehek’s rebellion: he slits Hukêlê’s throat, and Wiirê slaves overpower Histê guards. Rinold, Edlmir, and the Silone, initially hindered by chains, free themselves and join the chaotic fight, with Rinold and Nehek killing key Histê. Escaping east through a familiar forest, Nehek leads the group, now including six Tunotuwiirê, toward the Yunsokutoi River (Puxele to Rinold), aiming for Widow’s Fall, a lesser-known bridge, to evade Histê pursuit. After days of grueling travel, they reach the vine-strewn, rickety bridge spanning a treacherous gorge. Ambushed by Histê archers from both sides, the group suffers losses, including a Silone killed by an arrow. Rinold, wounded in the leg, rallies the survivors, using his bow to fell enemies, while Nehek and Edlmir’s ferocity turns the tide. With a Histê signal fire warning of reinforcements, Rinold orders the wounded and exhausted to hide, leading a smaller group with Nehek to draw pursuit by setting decoy fires, hoping to reach Nehek’s tribe and send aid back, as the perilous journey tests their resolve and newfound alliance.

WoG Chapter 26 — Facing Deceptions
WoG Chapter 28 — Snow Blind Kin
Whispers of Ghosts — Main Chapter Listing