Chapter 67: Agatha and Solange—Truth and Prophecy
⚠️ 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
At sunrise, Agatha’s wagon caravan reaches the caster pavilion after a long, nonstop journey through thousands of Ybarisan soldiers. She notices fresh grass sprouting—a sign of change after two millennia. Baedriya, a messenger, marvels at the size of the army assembled by Queen Neilina, who has promised easy passage behind Mordain. Agatha doubts many will survive.
The Shadows, led by Solange, escort the queen and the elementals. Neilina descends from her jeweled carriage wearing a gold-and-silver gown and Aoife’s token necklace, with Cressida fearfully following. Agatha ducks to avoid being seen.
Solange spots Agatha and drags her into a tent, demanding to know why an old scribe is at a war. Suspecting a conspiracy, Solange threatens to report her. Agatha, pressured, admits the queen summoned Aoife twenty-five years ago with Caster Ianca to create Romeria as a weapon against Islor. Solange dismisses this as known. Agatha defends the scribes’ role, asserting they have never ignored the truth. She quotes the prophecy: “When she rose again as a Daughter of Many and a Queen for All, only then could there be hope for peace among the peoples.” Solange’s arrogance wavers into worry. Agatha says she can explain everything if Solange is willing to indulge prophecy.
Key Events
- The caravan arrives at the caster pavilion as Hudem’s moon becomes faintly visible.
- Agatha notices new grass sprouting through the dirt—a possible omen.
- Baedriya wonders whether the soldiers would follow the queen if they knew about the fate summoning.
- Queen Neilina exits her carriage wearing a gold-and-silver gown and Aoife’s necklace; Cressida follows, looking frightened.
- Solange confronts Agatha, suspecting she was sent by Allegra.
- Solange drags Agatha into a tent and threatens to expose a conspiracy.
- Agatha confesses the truth about the queen summoning Aoife and creating Romeria.
- Solange remains unconvinced, so Agatha invokes a prophecy about a “Daughter of Many” bringing peace.
- Solange’s demeanor shifts from arrogance to worry.
Character Development
Agatha reveals her deeper commitment to the scribes’ guiding purpose. Though elderly and physically weary, she stands firm when confronted, openly criticizing the queen’s deceit and Mordain’s leaders for bowing to power. Her willingness to share the prophecy with Solange shows she trusts that knowledge—even dangerous knowledge—can change a person’s course.
Solange begins the scene as a stern, rule-bound Shadow, threatening punishment and expecting a simple political conspiracy. But Agatha’s words unsettle her. For the first time in the chapter, Solange allows worry to replace her usual biting anger, hinting that she may be open to hearing the full prophecy rather than dismissing it outright.
Queen Neilina is portrayed through Agatha’s observations as self-indulgent and cruel—staying in Argon’s comforts, donning symbolic attire, and holding Cressida as a hostage to control the fate-summoning power. She remains a distant, manipulative figure.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Prophecy and Truth: Agatha recites an ancient prophecy as a counterweight to the queen’s lies. The scribes’ commitment to preserving knowledge becomes a form of resistance against tyranny.
- Seeds of Change: The new grass sprouting after two millennia of barrenness suggests that the coming events—whatever they are—may bring renewal or destruction.
- Power and Blindness: Baedriya’s question about whether people would follow the queen if they knew the truth underscores the theme of willful ignorance. Neilina’s subjects and even Mordain’s leaders choose convenient beliefs over uncomfortable facts.
- Hudem’s Moon: Its growing brightness foreshadows a daybreak battle where nothing can hide, mirroring the looming unmasking of secrets.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Agatha’s mission. She successfully transfers a seed of doubt to Solange, a high-ranking Shadow who could either thwart or aid the plan. By invoking the prophecy, Agatha shifts the conversation from mere political scheming to a grander, possibly supernatural outcome. The new grass and the moon’s intensity signal that the world is changing, and the choices made here—by Solange and others—will determine whether the prophecy leads to peace or further chaos.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Agatha decide to tell Solange the truth about the queen’s scheme?
Agatha knows that lying would only earn Solange’s suspicion and a report to the queen. By telling the truth, she gambles that Solange’s dislike for Neilina—combined with the prophecy—might make her reconsider her allegiance. -
What does the new grass symbolize in this chapter?
The grass sprouting after two millennia of lifeless ground represents the possibility of renewal. It mirrors the “change” Agatha fears is coming and hints that the conflict may usher in something unprecedented, whether good or ill. -
How does Solange’s reaction to the prophecy differ from her earlier attitude?
Earlier, Solange was aggressive, threatening, and dismissive of the scribes’ work. After hearing the prophecy, her arrogance fades, replaced by visible worry. She asks Agatha to explain further, showing a newfound openness that could alter her role in the war.