Chapter 38: 33 North
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot. This summary contains major spoilers for A Day of Fallen Night, including character deaths and revelations. If you have not finished the book, proceed with caution.
Summary
Wulf remains quarantined in a ship cabin with three others—Eydag, Vell, and two more—all of whom have contracted a mysterious red affliction. While the two men succumb violently, Eydag wastes away slowly. Wulf is the only one untouched. She begs him to kill her, but her hand is forced by Vell, who stabs her in the heart. Soon after, Regny, Karlsten, and others open the cabin. They learn the ship has been anchored just off Eldyng, the capital of Hróth. Wulf and Vell are brought before King Bardholt, who expresses sorrow over Eydag’s death and orders her cremation. He notes that Wulf’s immunity seems a sign from the Saint, and announces that the party will sail for Inys the next day for the royal wedding. Overcome with grief, Wulf finally weeps in the arms of Thrit.
Key Events
- Eydag’s health deteriorates as the red plague spreads over her hands and into her breath.
- The two other afflicted men become violently ill and die; one tears at his shirt, mirroring the earlier Issýn attack.
- Vell, unable to bear Eydag’s suffering, kills her with his sax (short sword) as a mercy.
- Regny enters the cabin, recognizes Eydag’s body, and recites a Hróthi prayer for the dead.
- Wulf learns the ship has been in Eldyng’s harbour the entire time, not at sea.
- King Bardholt confirms the plague is contained and orders the ship burned at midnight.
- Bardholt acknowledges Wulf’s immunity and his bravery in shielding the king from the Issýn.
- Plans are made to depart for Inys at dawn for Princess Glorian’s wedding.
Character Development
- Wulf: Endures profound grief as he loses a close friend. His immunity to the plague raises questions about his nature, and he struggles with guilt and the burden of survival. His oath to the Knight of Generosity is tested as he fails to spare Eydag pain, yet he honours her final request by keeping her sunstone.
- Vell: Shows immense courage in performing the mercy killing, breaking under the emotional weight. He later refuses to let Wulf take the blame, demonstrating loyalty.
- Regny: Maintains a cool exterior but falters when she sees Eydag. She takes charge, guiding Wulf out and arranging Eydag’s funeral rites.
- King Bardholt: Reveals a pragmatic and commanding side; he quarantined the ship to protect Inys, but he also honours courage and believes Wulf is Saint-touched. He shows grief for Eydag but does not let emotion cloud his decisions.
- Eydag: In her final moments, she gives Wulf her sunstone and reassures him that he is loved, showcasing her kindness and selflessness even in terror.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Plague and Immunity: The red affliction that kills everyone but Wulf symbolises both physical corruption and moral testing. Wulf’s immunity hints at a greater purpose or divine protection, as Bardholt attributes it to the Saint.
- Mercy and Sacrifice: Vell’s killing of Eydag is portrayed as a noble act, aligned with the Knight of Courage. The theme of merciful death over prolonged suffering recurs.
- Grief and Brotherhood: The chapter emphasises the bonds formed among warriors. Wulf’s grief manifests physically; Thrit’s embrace becomes a release, underlining the importance of community in trauma.
- The Sunstone: Eydag’s gift to Wulf—a navigational tool—symbolises guidance and the search for truth. It connects to Wulf’s earlier quest to uncover his own origins and the “truth” he seeks.
- Quarantine and Isolation: The cabin becomes a microcosm of fear and contagion. Bardholt’s decision to isolate the ship reflects the tension between loyalty and the greater good.
Why This Chapter Matters
This is a turning point for Wulf: he loses a cherished friend, his immunity is openly acknowledged, and his path forward becomes clearer. The chapter confirms that the red plague is not a curse tied to the forest (as Mara had claimed) but a tangible, deadly affliction. It also tightens the narrative’s focus on the looming threat of the disease as the characters prepare to journey to Inys, where the royal wedding will gather many lords and queens—a perfect setting for further outbreaks. Additionally, Wulf’s emotional breakdown and subsequent comfort from Thrit deepen his humanity and set up his inner conflicts for the remainder of the book.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Eydag give Wulf before she dies, and what is its significance?
She gives him her sunstone—a clear stone on a cord used to navigate by the sun. It symbolizes her trust and enduring kindness, and it becomes a tool for Wulf to “find the truth in the end,” likely referring to his mysterious past and the truth about the plague.
2. Why does King Bardholt decide not to punish or exile Wulf despite the risk of plague?
Bardholt believes Wulf is protected by the Saint because he shielded the king from the Issýn and remains unafflicted. He sees Wulf’s immunity as a sign of divine favour, not a curse, and honours Wulf’s courage by keeping him in his household.
3. How does Vell’s action at the end of the chapter challenge the idea of knighthood and virtue?
Vell kills Eydag in mercy, which some might see as murder, but the narrative frames it as an act of courage—the Knight of Courage’s virtue. This questions rigid moral codes and suggests that true virtue sometimes requires breaking conventional rules to spare suffering.