WoG Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four: Slippery Thoughts edit
Ivin awakens from a vivid dream where a talking fox, trapped by a steel snare, tricks him into swapping places, leaving him caught as Iro Adinfin threatens revenge. The fox’s riddle about warriors, kings, sweat, and blood echoes Ôlisbenar’s cryptic words (Ch. 22), prompting Ivin to seek another meeting. Wandering Rôemhîik’s halls at night, he encounters Puxele, pregnant with Rinold’s child, whose tale of riddles fuels his resolve to confront Ôlisbenar. Sending Kilk to arrange a midday parley, Ivin meets the Malstefnê alone, sharing Broldun whiskey. Ôlisbenar reveals a Silone shapeshifter—likely Ulrikt with the Lord Priest’s Face (Ch. 20)—sabotaged Malstefnê-Malôbund peace efforts, prolonging their war and besieging Qwôhar. Recognizing Ulrikt’s elusiveness after a deadly chase, Ôlisbenar proposes a deal: if Ivin assassinates the Malstefnê king, a warrior prone to reckless wars, Ôlisbenar, as Qwôhar’s lord, would ride north to secure the throne, ending the Silone war. Staging a mock fight to conceal their pact, Ôlisbenar vows to delay his attack, minimizing losses. Ivin, reeling from whiskey and the audacious plan, accepts the challenge, hoping Ulrikt’s skills can be leveraged. As Roplin and Choerkin warriors arrive, Ivin, slightly drunk, hints at a new hope beyond Kinesee’s Helelindin mission (Ch. 20, 22), resolving to enlist Sedut to locate Ulrikt, the “dead man” key to this perilous gambit, as the Malstefnê siege looms.
- WoG Chapter 23 — Fresh Flesh
- WoG Chapter 25 — Mule Ears
- Whispers of Ghosts — Main Chapter Listing