Chapter 70 (Sixty-Nine) Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
Zander, accompanied by Abarrane, Telor, Kienen, and a legion of soldiers, arrives at the rift gate after watchmen report that the Ybarisan gate has opened. The gate itself is an enormous stone construction built by King Rhionn with the help of stone casters to keep Islorians out after the blood curse. Zander marvels at its impenetrable design—twenty feet thick, thirty feet wide on each side of the natural bridge, and a hundred feet high.
Before crossing, Kienen warns Zander about Queen Neilina’s air affinity (Vin’nyla) and advises staying beyond fifteen feet to avoid having the air stolen from his lungs. He also reveals that the Shadow leader, Solange, has a strong affinity to Malachi (fire) and despises the queen’s control over Mordain. Kienen hints that Solange might be swayed by the truth of Neilina’s treachery, as he himself was.
Zander and his company cross the bridge to the midpoint, where they meet the Ybarisan forces. Solange initially taunts Zander about Islor’s divided loyalties, but he deflects. Neilina appears on a white stallion, wearing a golden metallic dress and a massive golden antler token around her neck. Zander is struck by her resemblance to Romeria, though he notes the coldness in her eyes.
Neilina demands to know where Romeria is. Zander replies that she is safe in the gated mountain city (Ulysede), beyond reach. Neilina then reveals that she has heard from Atticus that Tyree is betrothed to Princess Annika. Zander laughs, recognizing Atticus’s desperate attempt to keep peace. He thanks Neilina for the taillok—which Caster Gesine now wields for the Islorians—and accuses Neilina of breaking Mordain’s sacred vow, forcing Ianca to summon Aoife, and murdering her husband King Barris.
Neilina refuses to rise to the bait, but Zander aims his words at Solange, suggesting Mordain could thrive under a queen who respects its independence. Neilina orders her elemental Norae to prepare an attack and commands the Shadows to kill Zander and his company. Just as Solange hesitates, an ear-piercing roar cuts through the sky, interrupting the confrontation.
Key Events
- The rift gate opens; Zander and his retinue cross the bridge.
- Kienen provides tactical intelligence about Neilina’s and Solange’s affinities.
- Zander meets Neilina face-to-face; she demands Romeria’s location.
- Neilina reveals Atticus has betrothed Annika to Tyree.
- Zander accuses Neilina of murdering King Barris and enslaving Mordain’s casters.
- Neilina orders an attack; Solange appears uncertain.
- A sudden, unexplained roar halts the impending battle.
Character Development
- Zander: Demonstrates diplomatic boldness by confronting Neilina directly. He uses the truth as a weapon, hoping to sow dissent among her followers. His willingness to risk his life reflects his commitment to avoiding a full-scale war.
- Queen Neilina: Remains composed under accusation but shows a flash of anger when Zander reveals he has the taillok. She is calculating and views her casters as tools, not allies.
- Solange: Her hesitation signals potential disloyalty. Zander’s suggestion that Mordain could be independent under a different queen plants a seed that may later bear fruit.
- Kienen: Acts as a bridge between the two sides, offering insider knowledge about Ybaris’s weaknesses. His presence emphasizes the alliance between Islor and former Ybarisan defectors.
- Abarrane: Stays alert and ready for violence, embodying the fierce loyalty of Zander’s personal guard.
- Atticus (off-page): His betrothal offer reveals his political maneuvering, but also his desperation to placate Neilina without realizing she cannot be trusted.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- The Rift Gate: A physical symbol of the separation between realms, built to contain the blood curse. Its mechanical complexity mirrors the political barriers Zander must dismantle.
- The Valley of Bones: The chasm below the bridge represents the accumulated dead of past conflicts—a grim reminder of what is at stake.
- The Taillok: Becomes a tool of psychological warfare; Zander uses it to show Neilina that her secrets are no longer safe.
- Elemental Affinities: The chapter emphasizes how magical powers shape strategy. Zander must work around his lack of a reliable affinity (fire and water unavailable) while Neilina’s air affinity makes her especially dangerous at close range.
- Doubt as a Weapon: Zander’s tactic of planting mistrust among the Shadows mirrors how he previously won Kienen’s allegiance. It underscores the theme that unity can be broken by truth.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks the first direct encounter between Zander and the primary antagonist, Neilina. It clarifies the political landscape: Atticus is trying to negotiate from a weak position, while Zander attempts to fracture Neilina’s support base. The introduction of Solange as a potential ally sets up a future betrayal within Mordain. The cliffhanger roar—likely a wyvern or similar creature—introduces a new wildcard that could tilt the balance of the coming battle. The chapter also deepens the lore of the rift and the blood curse’s history.
Study Questions
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Why does Zander risk a face-to-face meeting with Neilina, and what does he hope to achieve?
Answer: He believes he cannot win the war alone and aims to turn Mordain’s Shadows against Neilina by exposing her crimes, just as he turned Kienen. He is willing to die if it weakens Neilina’s hold on her casters. -
What does Atticus’s betrothal of Annika to Tyree reveal about his strategy and Neilina’s response?
Answer: It shows Atticus is trying to secure peace through a marriage alliance, likely to keep Neilina from attacking. Neilina’s smug reaction suggests she views it as a sign of weakness and will exploit it. Zander’s laughter indicates he knows Annika will never comply and that Atticus underestimates Neilina’s duplicity. -
How does Zander attempt to undermine Neilina’s authority in front of Solange, and what effect does it have?
Answer: He accuses Neilina of murdering King Barris and enslaving Mordain, calling the guild “instruments and slaves” while suggesting Mordain could thrive with a queen who respects its independence. Solange’s narrowed gaze shows she is considering his words, and her hesitation to attack suggests the seed of doubt has been planted.