Chapter 60: CHAPTER 49 – Planning the Siege on Pensdurth
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens in Wayfair with Casteel, Kieran, and Attes discussing the upcoming public address and the siege on Pensdurth. Casteel states the plan is to lay siege, but Attes presses for detail. Kieran reveals they know Pensdurth has spears capable of wounding a draken—one already hit Thad. Attes clarifies that draken can bond to a Court’s Primal, but the true Primal of Life (Sera or Poppy) can override those bonds.
Reaver enters, wearing only a shawl after Casteel makes him cover himself. Poppy joins, sitting stiffly on Casteel’s lap despite still being upset with him. She admits she saw a Revenant on the Cliffs and went to confront it—it was Kolis possessing the Revenant. Attes confirms Kolis loses control when it comes to Poppy, and lists his other weaknesses: his brother Nyktos, Callum, and his obsessive love for Eythos (now dead).
The war planning continues: bloodstone can wound gods but not kill them; they need shadowstone weapons. They discuss thinning the gods with draken attacks after taking out the spears. Attes then reveals Kolis commands Naberius, the essence of a dragon—a vellám more dangerous than a draken. Only a very powerful Primal could harm Naberius, and even Sera might not kill it. Poppy realizes she is the only one who can reach Kolis because Naberius won’t attack her.
Tension spikes when Casteel demands why Attes keeps staring at Poppy. Attes admits she looks like Sotoria, and they were friends—nothing more. Casteel does not believe that, but the meeting continues. Poppy repeats that they must ensure she gets to Kolis to end the war.
Key Events
- Kieran announces the public address for the next day.
- Attes reveals Kolis’s personal weaknesses: Nyktos, Callum, and his obsession with Poppy.
- Poppy confesses she went to the Cliffs alone and spoke with a Revenant possessed by Kolis.
- Reaver explains the nature of draken bonds; Attes notes that the Primal of Life can supersede them.
- Attes describes Naberius, the dragon-essence vellám, and its near-invulnerability.
- The group finalizes a siege plan: disable spears with draken, then attack the gathered gods.
- Casteel confronts Attes about his lingering gaze, leading to Attes admitting his past friendship with Sotoria.
Character Development
- Poppy: Demonstrates growing independence by facing the Revenant alone, but also shows tactical maturity by sharing what she learned. She accepts her role as the only one who can confront Kolis.
- Casteel: His protective jealousy is on full display, especially toward Attes. He struggles to trust others around Poppy, though he restrains himself from escalating the conflict.
- Attes: Reveals a softer, vulnerable side when speaking of Sotoria. His grief is palpable, and his insistence that he was only friends with her feels both sincere and protective.
- Kieran: Acts as a steady mediator, maintaining the discussion’s focus on strategy despite the tension.
- Reaver: Casual and blunt, he provides key lore about draken bonds and velláms, but his presence also lightens the mood.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Jealousy and Possessiveness: Casteel’s reaction to Attes exemplifies the tension between personal emotions and strategic necessity.
- Obsession (Kolis): Attes’s description of Kolis losing control when it comes to Poppy parallels Kolis’s obsessive love for Sotoria, linking past and present.
- Sacrifice and Burden: Poppy’s resigned acceptance that only she can reach Kolis underscores the weight of her power and her past life.
- Shared History: The revelation of Attes’s friendship with Sotoria deepens the theme of reincarnation and the characters’ entangled fates.
- Strategy vs. Emotion: The war council contrasts cold planning (siege, weapons, casualties) with the raw emotional undercurrents between characters.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter pivots the narrative from preparation to direct confrontation. It introduces Naberius, Kolis’s greatest weapon, and clarifies why Poppy is essential to the final battle. Attes’s history with Sotoria adds emotional complexity to his alliance, while the war council establishes the tactical framework for the coming assault. The chapter also deepens Casteel and Poppy’s relationship dynamic as they navigate jealousy and trust.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Attes say Kolis becomes “unpredictable” and “recklessly so” regarding Poppy?
Attes explains that Kolis loses control when it comes to Poppy because she is one of “those things” that make him unhinged—a reference to his obsession with Sotoria, whom Poppy resembles.
2. What is Naberius, and why is it such a threat?
Naberius is Kolis’s vellám—the essence of a dragon, not a true draken. It can only be killed by cutting off its head, using massive eather attacks, or by killing Kolis. Only a very powerful Primal (like Sera or possibly Attes) can harm it.
3. How does Casteel react when Attes admits he was friends with Sotoria?
Casteel does not believe the claim and remains suspicious, but he holds his anger in check. His jealousy underscores the lingering mistrust between him and Attes, and it foreshadows potential conflict in the alliance.