Chapter 17 - Sarrush: Revelations in a Tavern
⚠️ 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 and Kingfisher skirt the town below the Winter Palace, descending treacherous snowy paths into the Wicker Wood. The wood is haunted by shades—echoes of creatures that died in distress—whose screams terrify Saeris. Kingfisher dismisses the danger but his manner remains cold. During their ride, the two bicker over Saeris's theft of Kingfisher's ring; he reveals he knew she was stealing it from the moment she entered his forge. After several hours they reach a tavern called Sarrush, a rundown stone building on a frozen river. The stable hand tries to buy Onyx and Carrion, but Kingfisher refuses. Inside, the tavern is crowded with a variety of Fae and other beings. Kingfisher buys drinks and pours a strong spirit over Saeris's wounds, causing sharp pain. Over beer, he tells her he is taking her to Cahlish, a borderland fiefdom and war zone. Renfis arrives and a heated argument erupts: Kingfisher has taken both Belikon's Alchemist (Carrion) and the legendary sword Solace. Renfis warns that Belikon will retaliate. The argument draws attention, and patrons recognize Kingfisher as the Fisher King, a legendary hero who saved countless lives in battles like Ajun-Sky, Sinder's Reach, and Innishtar. One by one, they recount his deeds and raise a toast of "Sarrush." Kingfisher, overwhelmed, denies being that person anymore and flees the tavern, leaving Saeris stunned by his hidden past.
Key Events
- Saeris and Kingfisher navigate the Wicker Wood, encountering screaming shades.
- Kingfisher admits he knew Saeris intended to steal his ring from the start.
- They arrive at the Sarrush tavern on the banks of a frozen river.
- Kingfisher pours strong liquor over Saeris's bites and cuts to disinfect them.
- Carrion remains unconscious in the stables; Saeris realizes she is bound to the wrong man.
- Renfis arrives and confronts Kingfisher about taking the Alchemist and Solace sword.
- The argument escalates, drawing the attention of tavern patrons.
- Patrons identify Kingfisher as the Fisher King and retell his heroic feats (Ajun-Sky, Sinder's Reach, Innishtar, and more).
- A solemn toast of "Sarrush" is offered by the entire tavern.
- Kingfisher denies being that hero and rushes outside.
Character Development
Saeris spends the chapter shifting from annoyance to awe. She witnesses Kingfisher's tactical skill, his sharpness in arguments, and finally his vulnerability when faced with his own legend. Her perception of him as merely a surly, arrogant Fae warrior is challenged—she begins to see the weight of his history. Kingfisher is shown to be deeply uncomfortable with his past. He deflects praise and tries to escape when recognized. His insistence that "that person doesn't exist anymore" reveals a man who has changed or perhaps feels unworthy of his former glory. Renfis acts as the grounding presence: pragmatic, protective, and frustrated by Kingfisher's recklessness. He also shares some of the heroic history, as noted by the satyr who remembers them both at Innishtar.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Identity and the Burden of Legend: Kingfisher actively rejects the title of Fisher King. The chapter explores how a person can be eclipsed by their past deeds and the expectations of others.
- Memory vs. Reality: The shades in the Wicker Wood are literal echoes of suffering, while the tavern patrons preserve joyful memories of battles. Both forms of memory shape the present but are out of the hero's control.
- The Nature of Heroism: The patrons elevate Kingfisher as a living god, but he insists he is just a man—emphasizing that heroism often feels different from the inside.
- Sarrush as a Toast: The repeated cry of "Sarrush" becomes both a greeting and a tribute, binding the community through shared gratitude.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 is a turning point for Kingfisher's character exposition. It reveals his legendary status and the breadth of his military achievements, which were only hinted at earlier. The chapter also solidifies the stakes: Belikon will pursue them, Cahlish is a war zone, and Carrion is a liability. Saeris's growing awareness of Kingfisher's complexity sets the stage for deeper emotional and romantic development in later chapters.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Kingfisher react so strongly when the tavern patrons recognize him?
Kingfisher has deliberately hidden his identity and separated himself from his past. The sudden flood of adulation and memory forces him to confront a version of himself he no longer identifies with—or feels he has betrayed. His flight shows his discomfort with being mythologized.
2. What does the Wicker Wood and its shades symbolize in relation to Kingfisher's own story?
The shades are echoes of violent deaths, trapped in the forest. They parallel how Kingfisher's own past (his battles and losses) haunts him. Just as the shades cannot move on, Kingfisher seems unable to escape the weight of what he has done and seen.
3. How does Saeris's view of Kingfisher change by the end of the chapter?
Initially she sees him as arrogant and cruel. After hearing the tavern patrons' stories, she realizes he is a legendary hero who saved countless lives. Her shock—"To everyone inside this tavern, he was a living fucking god"—marks a major shift in her understanding of his character and their relationship.