Chapter 94: 89 South – The Witch Unveiled
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After months of fighting alongside Denag and delivering plague remedy to Queen Daraniya, Tunuva is summoned back to the Priory. Esbar announces they will ride to Nzene to help Gashan defend the capital. The night before departure, Canthe asks Tunuva to let her see the Mother’s tomb, claiming a need to pray. Tunuva initially refuses but is subtly magicked into compliance. Canthe manipulates Tunuva into opening Cleolind Onjenyu’s coffin, revealing the Mother’s perfectly preserved body and a hidden waning jewel beneath the dais. Esbar discovers them and confronts Canthe, who admits she manipulated Tunuva and Esbar with nightmares. Canthe reveals she is the Witch of Inysca—the one who stole Tunuva’s son, Wulf, years ago. Hidat shoots Canthe with arrows, and Esbar crushes her with the coffin lid, apparently killing her. Tunuva is devastated by the betrayal.
Key Events
- Tunuva and Denag return to the Priory after battling beasts and delivering plague remedy.
- Esbar announces the Priory will help Gashan defend Nzene from Dedalugun’s forces.
- Canthe uses subtle magic to make Tunuva bring her to the burial chamber and unlock the coffin.
- Cleolind Onjenyu’s body is revealed, preserved and incorrupt.
- A hidden waning jewel is discovered in a chest beneath the dais.
- Esbar catches them; Canthe admits to causing nightmares and manipulating both women.
- Canthe confesses she is the Witch of Inysca and that she stole Tunuva’s son, Wulf.
- Hidat shoots Canthe; Esbar crushes her with the coffin lid.
- The Priory survivors lock Canthe in the chamber, uncertain if she is truly dead.
Character Development
Tunuva – Her deep trust in Canthe shatters when she learns Canthe manipulated her from the start. She must reconcile her guilt over letting the witch close with her long-buried rage over Wulf’s abduction. Her ability to summon wyrmfire hints at untapped power.
Canthe – Fully unmasked as the ancient Witch of Inysca. She reveals a ruthless, calculating side, using magic and emotional manipulation to gain access to the Mother’s tomb. Her confession cements her as a villain who used grief as a weapon.
Esbar – Shows fierce protectiveness of the Priory and its secrets. She is wounded by Canthe’s betrayal and by the revelation that Canthe’s nightmares were designed to drive her away from Tunuva.
Hidat – Acts decisively, shooting Canthe and using fire to illuminate the chamber. Her loyalty to Esbar and the Priory is absolute.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Betrayal and manipulation – Canthe befriended Tunuva solely to gain access to the tomb. The chapter illustrates how evil can hide behind compassion.
The waning jewel – A mysterious stone linked to the Mother’s true legacy. Its cold, seductive power mirrors Canthe’s own influence.
The preserved Mother – Cleolind’s incorrupt body symbolizes the Priory’s faith and the gap between legend and reality. The body is not a relic but a mummy, hinting at lost magic.
Wyrmfire – Tunuva’s ability to produce wyrmfire from her own siden marks a new form of resistance, possibly tied to the jewel or to her grief.
The woods and the witch – Canthe’s many names (Hertha, Jórth, Hawthorn Mother) connect her to the Haithwood myth, reinforcing the novel’s folkloric roots.
Why This Chapter Matters
This is a turning point for the Priory storyline. Canthe’s true identity and purpose are exposed, severing the trust Tunuva placed in her. The discovery of the waning jewel introduces a new object of power that may alter the conflict against the Dreadmount. The revelation that Canthe stole Wulf raises the stakes for Tunuva’s personal arc and ties past trauma directly to the present war. The chapter also deepens the mystery of Cleolind Onjenyu’s death and the Priory’s true mission.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Canthe’s manipulation of Tunuva reflect the power of emotional vulnerability?
Canthe exploited Tunuva’s grief over losing her son. By posing as a sympathetic friend, she gained access to the most guarded place in the Priory. This shows how emotional isolation can make even a strong person susceptible to deception.
2. What does the waning jewel represent in the context of the Mother’s legacy?
The jewel is hidden beneath Cleolind’s coffin, suggesting it is part of the Mother’s deeper purpose. Its cold, seductive quality and its ability to amplify or drain power indicate it may be a key to defeating the Dreadmount—or a dangerous weapon Canthe sought for herself.
3. Why does Tunuva blame herself for the betrayal?
Tunuva trusted Canthe because they shared the same pain of losing a child. She feels responsible for not recognizing the manipulation earlier, especially since she allowed Canthe into the tomb and even kissed her. The chapter underscores that guilt can be as damaging as external betrayal.