Rites of the Starling Chapter 33 Summary – Twenty-Nine: Caspia
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains details from Chapter 33 of Rites of the Starling. Read at your own risk if you have not yet read the book.
Summary
In Chapter 33, Caspia visits a gallery in the Quentin castle and sees a mural depicting a crux that is unmistakably Bisten, her beloved swift from Nelfinex. The painting shows the creature killing people and destroying bodies, forcing Caspia to accept that the swift are the same monsters that terrorize Calandra during migrations. She is devastated and vomits. Andreas explains how cities like Roslo use defenses such as underground chambers and mounted weapons. He confirms that migrations last lunes and that the kingdoms have treaties to rebuild between attacks. Caspia asks to see the library, and they walk through the castle. She notes how different Andreas looks with short hair and clean-shaven face. When they reach the library, they meet Faxon, the head bibliosoph and Andreas’s former tutor. Andreas asks Faxon to help Caspia research her heritage and also to tutor Kos. Andreas then tells Caspia the story of his brother Arick, who became addicted to korakin after a riding accident and died after falling down stairs. Andreas left Quentis because his father refused to acknowledge the addiction. The chapter ends with Caspia feeling the thrum of the ritus—a call she ignores.
Key Events
- Caspia views a mural of Bisten as a murderous crux, shattering her understanding of swifts.
- She learns about Calandran defenses against migrations: chambers, tunnels, catapults, crossbows.
- Andreas reveals that most voyagers who try to follow the crux never return.
- Caspia insists on visiting the castle library to research the Starling and Nelfinex.
- They meet Faxon, who agrees to help Caspia and tutor Kos.
- Andreas recounts his brother Arick’s accident, korakin addiction, and death.
- Caspia senses the ritus but pretends not to feel it.
Character Development
- Caspia: Struggles to reconcile her cherished memories of Bisten with the truth that swifts become crux in Calandra. She is determined to understand, even as her heart breaks. She also endures nightly visions of Emery’s death and questions whether the Divine is punishing her for abandoning revenge.
- Andreas: Opens up about his family tragedy and the reason he left Quentis. His grief over Arick shows a vulnerable side. He demonstrates care for Caspia by supporting her research and arranging for Kos’s education.
- Faxon: Introduced as a warm, loyal figure who clearly loves Andreas. He agrees to help without hesitation, showing his trust.
- Bisten / the swift: Transformed from a familiar creature into a symbol of the horrific truth about migrations.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Truth and Illusion: The mural is described as a “lie” that depicts Bisten as a monster, yet it is true for Calandra. This clash between Nelfinex’s reverence for swifts and Calandra’s fear of crux forces Caspia to question everything her people know.
- Addiction and Denial: Arick’s story illustrates how korakin destroys lives and how denial by loved ones enables the tragedy. The castle’s wealth contrasts with the harm enabled inside its walls.
- The Ritus: The thrum of the ritus at the chapter’s end symbolizes an inescapable destiny or power that Caspia has not yet fully confronted.
- Secrets and Knowledge: The hoarded books in the royal library and the king’s secrets suggest that knowledge is controlled by the powerful, a theme that will likely drive Caspia’s quest.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal because it forces Caspia to accept the reality of the crux and the devastation they cause. It also deepens Andreas’s backstory, explaining his estrangement from his family and his decision to leave Quentis. The introduction of Faxon and the library opens a path for Caspia to uncover the truth about her heritage. Finally, the ritus thrum hints at a supernatural or inherited connection that will be explored in later chapters.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does the mural of Bisten affect Caspia so profoundly?
The mural shows Bisten, a swift she knew and loved, mutilating and killing people. It forces her to accept that the creatures she revered are the same monsters that terrorize Calandra, shattering her worldview. -
What does Andreas reveal about his brother Arick’s death, and how does this shape his relationship with his father?
Arick became addicted to korakin after a leg injury. Andreas begged his father to intervene, but his father refused to acknowledge the addiction. After Arick fell down stairs and died, Andreas could no longer stay in Quentis and left. This estrangement explains Andreas’s avoidance of the castle and his distrust of those who enable harm. -
What is the significance of Caspia feeling the ritus at the end of the chapter?
The ritus is a power she experienced on the Cirrina. Feeling it again suggests that her connection to the swift or to something magical is awakening, possibly tied to her Starling heritage or the upcoming plot. She ignores it, signaling internal conflict about embracing this power.