Brimstone Chapter 38: 36 Would That I Could
⚠️ 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
Saeris is jolted awake by Archer, the fire sprite, who excitedly announces that her brother Hayden has woken up. Kingfisher (Fisher) is also in the room; he greets Archer with surprise, but Archer explains that fire sprites heal quickly from injury. Saeris dresses with mixed emotions—excited yet terrified for her brother’s safety in the unfamiliar, dangerous Fae realm of Yvelia. Fisher tries to reassure her, but she admits she wishes he would simply tell her not to worry.
Archer leads Saeris to the south drawing room, a lavish space she has never visited before. Hayden stands by the window, looking frightened. Their reunion is tense. Hayden reveals that Queen Madra has been spreading lies: she claims Saeris was a loyal servant who was murdered by Fae rebels, and she has given extra food and water rations to Zilvaren in Saeris’s name as a martyr. The people of the Third, Saeris’s home district, have responded by cursing her name and refusing the rations. Hayden’s friend Elroy has been beaten for defending Saeris.
As they argue, Hayden admits he doubts her innocence, citing her secrecy and the extra resources she always provided. Enraged, Saeris punches him and delivers a furious speech recounting the sacrifices she made—crawling through sewers, stealing, trading—to keep him alive and comfortable. She realizes that by shielding him, she inadvertently created a sense of entitlement. During her outburst, a new rune for brimstone burns painfully onto her hand, intertwined with the existing quicksilver rune.
After the confrontation, Saeris retreats to Fisher’s bedroom, the place she now feels safest. She finally opens Edina’s book. The first entry apologizes for the earlier secrecy and implores Saeris not to skip ahead. Edina explains that the brimstone rune is powerful and destructive; accepting it will change Saeris and come at a great cost, but it may be necessary to save Yvelia from the encroaching rot. Edina also provides instructions for rejecting the rune (submerging the hand in quicksilver) and notes that the first half of the book is a guide to Saeris’s powers, while the second half contains prophecies about the rot. A specific page concerning the Evenlight Ball warns of an appointment awaiting.
Hours later, Fisher returns with Onyx, the fox. He reports that Ren has disappeared. Ren was supposed to travel through the Shallow Mountains to warn the Gilarian Fae about the rot, then meet Fisher in Ballard, but no one has seen him. Fisher suspects foul play. The chapter ends with Saeris and Fisher sharing the weight of this new worry while Saeris continues to absorb Edina’s warnings.
Key Events
- Archer wakes Saeris to announce that Hayden is conscious.
- Saeris and Fisher prepare to meet Hayden; Fisher offers comfort.
- In the south drawing room, Hayden shares Madra’s propaganda campaign, painting Saeris as a martyr and loyal supporter.
- Hayden questions Saeris’s innocence, leading to a heated argument.
- Saeris punches Hayden and delivers an emotional defense of her years of sacrifice.
- The brimstone rune burns into Saeris’s hand, causing intense pain.
- Saeris reads Edina’s book, learning the history of the Alchemists and the prophecy about the rot.
- Edina tells Saeris not to skip ahead, and explains she must make a choice about the second rune.
- Fisher returns with troubling news: Ren is missing, last seen leaving the Gilarian stronghold a day and a half ago.
Character Development
Saeris Fane: Her protective love for Hayden collides with his betrayal. She shows raw fury, but also vulnerability when she realizes her efforts may have spoiled him. The new rune forces her to accept the dangerous path of an Alchemist, and her decision to trust Edina’s instructions shows growing maturity.
Hayden Fane: He appears wary and accusatory, revealing his deep insecurity and resentment. His admission that he does not know whether to trust Saeris underscores how Madra’s lies have exploited their strained relationship. Yet his later observation about Saeris’s hand hints at a flicker of concern beneath his anger.
Kingfisher (Fisher): He is a calming presence, acknowledging the danger but promising to face it together. His concern over Ren’s disappearance adds to his sense of responsibility for those under his protection.
Archer: The fire sprite’s loyalty and resilience are highlighted; he brushes off his own injuries and eagerly serves Saeris.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trust versus Secrecy: The central conflict between Saeris and Hayden demonstrates how well-intentioned secrecy can erode trust. Madra’s propaganda weaponizes this rift.
- Propaganda and Reputation: Madra’s use of Saeris’s name to control the narrative shows how easily truth can be twisted for political gain. The people of the Third cursing Saeris despite her real sacrifices illustrates the tragic disconnect between reality and public perception.
- Sacrifice and Family: Saeris’s speech about crawling through sewers and stealing water emphasizes the theme of familial sacrifice. Her resentment at being doubted highlights the emotional toll of caregiving.
- Power with a Price: Edina’s warnings about the brimstone rune reinforce the motif that power requires personal transformation and may lead to corruption. The rune’s painful awakening symbolizes the cost.
- Prophecy and Choice: Edina’s instruction not to skip ahead in the book emphasizes that fate must unfold in order. Saeris must make a conscious decision to accept the rune, balancing free will against destiny.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 deepens the emotional stakes of the story. It resolves the immediate question of Hayden’s survival while introducing two major crises: Madra’s propaganda war against Saeris in Zilvaren, and the disappearance of Ren. The awakening of the brimstone rune advances Saeris’s magical journey and connects her to the Alchemist legacy. Edina’s book becomes a crucial narrative device, offering lore and prophecy while placing a heavy burden of choice on Saeris. The chapter also strengthens the bond between Saeris and Fisher as they face these threats together, while the rift with Hayden sets up a personal conflict that will need resolution.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Hayden confront Saeris with such suspicion? How does his attitude reflect the effects of Madra’s propaganda?
Hayden’s suspicion stems from years of being shut out of Saeris’s activities. Madra’s lie that Saeris was a loyal informer preys on his insecurities and lack of knowledge. The propaganda is effective because it exploits the very secrecy Saeris used to protect him. His doubt mirrors the larger societal doubt Madra has sown among the people of the Third.
2. What does the awakening of the brimstone rune symbolize for Saeris’s character and her journey?
The brimstone rune represents the next stage of Saeris’s Alchemical power, but also a moral and personal cost. Edina’s book warns that embracing this rune will change her and require unlocking a door within herself that is hard to close. It symbolizes her growing connection to Fae magic and the dangerous path she must walk to save Yvelia, including the potential loss of her humanity.
3. How does Edina’s book function as a narrative device in this chapter? What does its warning about not skipping ahead imply about the story’s structure?
Edina’s book serves as a guide and a source of prophecy, providing exposition about Alchemy and the rot while also parceling out information gradually. The warning not to skip ahead reinforces a traditional narrative structure where events must unfold in order for the characters to survive. It also creates suspense, as Saeris (and the reader) must trust the sequence of revelations, hinting that knowledge of future events could be dangerous.
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