Chapter Thirty-Five: Caspia — Meeting the Priest
Spoiler Notice
This summary and analysis contains spoilers for Chapter 39 of Rites of the Starling. If you have not yet read this chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Caspia has spent eleven days in Roslo avoiding Andreas after her vision of him holding a baby boy—a child she believes is not hers. The Malynn remains docked, a constant reminder that she must eventually leave. She spends her days in the castle library, futilely searching for answers among Calandran books. Andreas arranges a meeting with Brother Nold, a priest and emissary to the king. Upon arriving at the library, Caspia sees Kos and Faxon using magic to float books. Brother Nold reveals himself as a Velvi'os-telfer, a nearly extinct race from a country destroyed by Beesa. The priest's magical aura causes Caspia intense physical pain—stinging, throbbing, and dizziness. When Brother Nold touches her to prevent her fall, she screams and loses consciousness.
Key Events
- Caspia wakes each dawn hoping the Malynn has left, but it remains in harbor for eleven days.
- She has been emotionally withdrawn from Andreas, focused on library research and avoiding conversation about his betrothal.
- Andreas delivers a message from Faxon about a potential helper in the city, and they go to the castle library together.
- In the library, Kos and Faxon demonstrate telekinetic magic, moving books without touching them.
- Brother Nold emerges—a tall, hairless, pale-skinned figure with clawlike nails and greenish-black eyes, dressed in burgundy robes.
- Caspia recognizes him as a Velvi'os-telfer, a race she believed to be myth, and recalls that they were persecuted by the Beesans.
- The priest's presence causes a painful magical reaction in Caspia: stinging skin, throbbing head, nausea.
- She collapses; Brother Nold and Andreas both reach for her; the priest's touch triggers a scream and blackout.
Character Development
Caspia spends this chapter wrestling with anger and helplessness. Her visions have eroded her sense of control, and her avoidance of Andreas shows her emotional withdrawal. Meeting Brother Nold forces her to confront a real manifestation of magic—one that causes her physical agony, deepening her fear of the supernatural forces at work.
Andreas continues to support Caspia despite her distance. He arranges the meeting with the priest, apologizes repeatedly, and tries to reestablish physical connection. His posture before entering the castle suggests he is preparing for an emotional battle, knowing that the end of their time together may be near.
Brother Nold appears as an intimidating but neutral figure. His mere presence triggers a violent reaction in Caspia, raising questions about his intentions and the nature of his magic. The history of his persecuted race adds layers to the world-building.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Secrets and Betrayal. Caspia's anger stems from Andreas's concealed betrothal—a secret that cuts deeper than the betrothal itself. The chapter underscores how withheld information can wound as much as any action.
Fate vs. Free Will. Caspia's vision of Andreas's child feels like a predetermined future she cannot escape. Her repeated attempts to delay her departure by hoping the ship will leave show her struggle against fate.
Magic as a Physical Threat. Unlike Kos's joyful levitation, Brother Nold's magic is painful and overwhelming. This contrast suggests that magic in Calandra has different forms, some benign and some potentially dangerous.
Cultural Trauma. The Velvi'os-telfer's near extinction due to religious persecution is a dark historical echo. Brother Nold's presence in the castle implies that Calandra may harbor refugees from Beesa's campaigns.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Caspia's supernatural journey. For the first time, she encounters a being whose magic directly harms her, hinting that her visions and physical sensitivity may be connected to a larger magical system. The introduction of Brother Nold opens new possibilities for understanding her abilities—and new dangers. It also deepens the emotional rift between her and Andreas, as her collapse echoes the literal distance she has maintained. The chapter sets up the next phase of the plot: Caspia must now navigate a world where magic is real, painful, and possibly hostile.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why has Caspia been avoiding Andreas for the past eleven days?
Caspia saw a vision of Andreas holding a baby boy who she believes is not hers. The vision, combined with his secret betrothal arranged by his mother, has left her feeling betrayed and emotionally wounded. She spends her time in the library trying to find answers about her visions while keeping physical and emotional distance from him.
2. What is a Velvi'os-telfer, and why is Caspia surprised to meet one?
The Velvi'os-telfer are a race of beings known for their hairless, pale appearance, clawlike nails, and powerful magic. Their country was destroyed by the Beesans a hundred years ago due to religious persecution, and most survivors fled into hiding. Caspia believed they were nearly mythical, so encountering Brother Nold in the Calandran castle shocks her.
3. What happens when Brother Nold touches Caspia?
Caspia, already experiencing intense physical pain from the priest's magical aura, collapses. Both Andreas and Brother Nold move to catch her. Brother Nold's hand touches her first, and she screams before losing consciousness. The chapter ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the consequences of this magical contact unknown.