Strike Bars E and R: Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens the morning after Iris and Attie have spent the night preparing articles for the Inkridden Tribune at Lonnie Fielding's home in Bitteryne. Iris is particularly troubled by her retelling of the myth of Dacre and Enva. She wonders whether to include the second half of the story, in which Enva's music controls Dacre—making him weep, laugh, and sleep. Attie argues that such knowledge might soften people's harsh opinions about music, but Iris fears the opposite: that the chancellor already knows this myth and outlawed stringed instruments precisely because it is dangerous. Before they can resolve the debate, Tobias enters, ready to leave for Oath. A storm is approaching, and he wants to outrun it. He takes the folder of articles, reminding them of their agreement to evacuate if necessary. Iris, feeling uneasy, decides at the last moment to add the myth article. She runs after him and hands it over, then watches him drive away.
After Tobias departs, Iris feels a rumble beneath her feet. She recalls the clinking sounds she heard under the floor the previous night—like axes hitting stone deep in the earth. She hurries back inside and asks Lonnie and Attie if they felt it. Lonnie reveals that the town has experienced unexplained rumblings for the past week. He dismisses it as nothing to worry about, but Iris and Attie exchange a look, thinking of the myth's winding tunnels.
That evening, Iris writes to Roman about the strange occurrences. He replies that he does not have an answer yet but will investigate and advises her to remain on guard. The next day, rain turns the streets into creeks. Iris and Attie go door-to-door gathering reports, learning rumors that Dacre has left Avalon Bluff and is now stationed in a town called Merrow. They wonder why he is moving slowly eastward. As the storm intensifies, Tobias fails to return by evening, and by midnight he still has not arrived.
Key Events
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Iris and Attie prepare articles for the Inkridden Tribune at Lonnie Fielding's home.
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Iris debates whether to include the myth's second half about Enva's music controlling Dacre, fearing it is dangerous knowledge.
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Tobias arrives to leave for Oath, and Iris decides to send the myth article, running after him to give it to him.
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After Tobias leaves, Iris feels a rumbling in the ground and recalls the clinking sounds from the previous night.
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Lonnie reveals the town has experienced unexplained rumblings for a week.
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Iris writes to Roman about the rumblings; he replies that he lacks an answer but will investigate and advises her to stay vigilant.
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The following day, Iris and Attie gather reports from townspeople, learning rumors that Dacre left Avalon Bluff for Merrow.
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Tobias fails to return by midnight as the storm intensifies.
Character Development
Iris shows growing caution and intuition. She senses that the myth's second half is dangerous, even though she cannot articulate why. Her decision to send it anyway reflects her commitment to truth, but also her internal conflict about the power of knowledge. She is also observant, connecting the rumblings to the myth's tunnels and feeling uneasy about Tobias's absence.
Attie remains pragmatic and supportive. She encourages Iris to send the myth to Helena, and she is quick to notice Tobias's lateness. Her focus on practical concerns—like evacuation plans—shows her resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Tobias is briefly present but his departure and failure to return create a sense of foreboding. His reminder about the evacuation agreement underscores the precariousness of their situation.
Lonnie Fielding is a hospitable host, but his dismissal of the rumblings as