Chapter 13 Summary: Euyn Meets Mikail in Fallow
Spoiler Notice
This chapter summary contains major plot spoilers. Proceed with caution if you have not read Chapter 13.
Summary
Euyn arrives at a stable in Outton, Fallow, to meet a messenger sent by his brother King Joon. To his shock, the messenger is Mikail, the king’s master spy and Euyn’s former lover. Mikail has known Euyn survived his execution three years ago but never contacted him. After a tense exchange, Mikail reveals his true purpose: he wants Euyn to help him assassinate King Joon. If successful, Euyn would become the heir to the throne of Yusan. Mikail hints at his own motives but does not fully disclose them. The chapter ends with Mikail mentioning the queen of Khitan—Euyn’s sister—leaving Euyn stunned.
Key Events
- Euyn meets Mikail in a stable in Outton, Fallow.
- Mikail admits he has known Euyn is alive for three years.
- Mikail proposes to assassinate King Joon, making Euyn king.
- Euyn recalls his past with Mikail: training, romance, and eventual betrayal.
- Euyn’s death sentence, survival via a sandstorm, and rescue by nomads are recounted.
- Mikail refuses to explain his personal motives for the assassination.
- The chapter ends with Mikail mentioning the queen of Khitan.
Character Development
- Euyn: Torn between lingering desire for Mikail and resentment for past betrayal. His survival instinct and willingness to consider treason show a shift from passive victim to potential conspirator.
- Mikail: Remains enigmatic. His coldness and calculated patience reveal a deeper resolve, and his proposal indicates he is willing to turn against the king he has served for years.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Betrayal and Trust: Euyn cannot trust Mikail despite their history, mirroring the larger theme of broken loyalties.
- Power and Immortality: The Crown of Yusan makes King Joon effectively unkillable, symbolizing the seemingly insurmountable barrier to regime change.
- Survival: Euyn’s escape from the desert and his cautious attitude toward Mikail highlight the will to live against all odds.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point where the assassination plot against King Joon is first proposed. It establishes Mikail as a key conspirator, reveals Euyn’s hidden past and survival, and sets the stage for the alliance that will drive the central conflict. The mention of the queen of Khitan also plants a connection to a broader political web.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Mikail reveal his knowledge of Euyn’s survival only after three years? Mikail claims he needed to gauge whether Euyn was desperate enough to consider his proposal. He likely waited for the right moment to maximize Euyn’s vulnerability and cooperation.
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What are the obstacles to assassinating King Joon mentioned in this chapter? The Crown of Yusan grants Joon immortality, assassination is punishable by Lingchi (death by a hundred cuts), Joon lives in the heavily guarded Qali Palace, and the distance from Fallow to the capital Tamneki is over a month’s journey.
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Why does Euyn agree to go to his room with Mikail despite fearing death? Euyn decides that dying in a private room would be preferable to dying in a stable, and his morbid curiosity about Mikail’s true intentions drives him forward.
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