Chapter 10 Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes
⚠️ 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
Chapter 10 opens with Tamsin confronting Neve, who has just revealed herself as a sorceress. Tamsin is furious, having assumed Neve was one of the Cunningfolk. Neve calmly explains that she never claimed to be Cunningfolk—that was Tamsin's assumption. Neve then reveals how she tracked Tamsin: her aunt, Linden Goode, is a Cunningfolk with the gift of finding lost things. Seven years earlier, Nash had sought Linden's help to locate Carnwennan, King Arthur's dagger, and had given the guild library as his address. Neve, listening as a child, remembered Tamsin and Cabell, and later kept an eye out for them at the library. When Tamsin showed up, Neve engineered their meeting at the tarot shop to "feel her out."
Neve proposes an alliance: she will use her magic to locate Nash, Tamsin will use the ring to break curses, and Neve will claim the ring for the Council of Sistren—the governing body of sorceresses—so she can be assigned a tutor and progress in her training. Neve explains she is self-taught, having been raised by her Cunningfolk aunt rather than a sorceress relation. Emrys, who has been listening, offers his own plan, hinting that he knows how Nash might have traveled to another world. Tamsin and Cabell step outside to talk privately.
Outside, Cabell apologizes for withholding information about the ring and Nash, explaining he had promised Nash. Tamsin admits she used basilisk venom to gain the One Vision, a risky and desperate act. They reconcile, and Cabell reveals he grilled Neve about the ring while Tamsin was away, learning that Neve doesn't know the ring must be claimed through deadly force. They agree to work with Neve and Emrys while planning to deceive them—a strategy they call "Prague-ing," referencing a past job where Nash tricked a sorceress. Tamsin is wary but relents.
Back inside, Tamsin shows the tarnished coin she found with Nash's note. The coin bears the engraving "I am the dream of the dead." Following the note's instruction, they bury the coin with ash and a bone—Neve provides a stolen relic, the foot bone of Saint Henwg. They wait, but nothing happens. Emrys then reveals a bottle given to him by the sorceress Madrigal, which can summon the Hag of the Mist, a primordial creature capable of manipulating the mists between worlds. Emrys believes Nash went to one of two Otherlands tied to Arthur: Avalon, where the ring was created, or Lyonesse, where deadly treasures are rumored to be hidden. Tamsin, after a moment of hesitation, declares she thinks Nash went to Avalon.
As she speaks, darkness suddenly falls over the area, plunging everything into impenetrable blackness. The darkness lifts as quickly as it came, and the group realizes something is wrong. Hollowers, led by Septimus, emerge from hiding and surround them. Septimus announces that they are all going to the "fair isle"—Avalon.
Key Events
- Neve reveals her true identity as a sorceress and explains how she tracked Tamsin through her aunt's gift.
- Neve proposes a three-way alliance: locate Nash, use the ring, and claim it for the Council of Sistren.
- Tamsin and Cabell reconcile outside; Tamsin confesses to using basilisk venom for the One Vision.
- The siblings decide to "Prague" their new allies, planning to deceive them while working together.
- The group attempts to activate the tarnished coin by burying it with ash and a saint's bone, but nothing happens.
- Emrys reveals Madrigal's bottle and the plan to summon the Hag of the Mist to cross into an Otherland.
- Tamsin states her belief that Nash went to Avalon.
- A mysterious darkness falls and lifts, followed by the ambush of Hollowers led by Septimus.
Character Development
Tamsin shows vulnerability in this chapter. She admits to using basilisk venom—a dangerous and desperate act—and struggles with guilt over her earlier argument with Cabell. Her decision to trust Neve and Emrys, even while planning to deceive them, highlights her pragmatism and her deep need to find Nash. Her confession about the venom reveals how far she is willing to go for the One Vision, and her emotional reconciliation with Cabell shows her fear of losing the only family she has.
Cabell apologizes sincerely for withholding information, acknowledging his own stubbornness and regret. He shows growth by admitting his mistakes and by taking the initiative to question Neve about the ring. His physical deterioration—dark circles, weight loss—hints at the emotional toll of the past weeks, but his commitment to Tamsin remains unwavering.
Neve is revealed as a self-taught sorceress, a rarity in her world. Her cleverness and confidence are evident, but her desperation for a tutor and acceptance into the Council of Sistren makes her motivations understandable. Her casual theft of her aunt's relic and her fascination with death and bones add depth to her character, showing a pragmatic, almost macabre worldview.
Emrys continues to be an enigmatic figure. He offers his own plan, reveals his connection to Madrigal, and demonstrates knowledge of Otherlands and primordial creatures. His willingness to work with Tamsin and Neve suggests he has his own agenda, but his practical contributions—the bottle, the knowledge of Avalon and Lyonesse—make him an indispensable ally.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Deception and hidden identities are central. Neve's true nature as a sorceress is revealed, but Tamsin and Cabell immediately plan to deceive her in return. The "Prague" strategy—using someone's inexperience against them—echoes Nash's past actions and underscores the theme of mutual manipulation.
Alliance of rivals is explored as Tamsin, Cabell, Neve, and Emrys form a fragile partnership. Each has a piece of the puzzle, but none fully trusts the others. The chapter shows how necessity can force cooperation even among enemies.
The cost of magic is evident in Tamsin's use of basilisk venom, which she obtained through a favor, and in Neve's self-taught sorcery, which isolates her from formal training. The ring's requirement of deadly force—mentioned by Cabell—adds a sinister layer to the quest.
The tarnished coin serves as a symbol of Nash's cryptic nature and the unresolved mystery of his disappearance. Its failure to activate suggests that the path to Nash is not straightforward, and that the group must rely on other means—like the Hag of the Mist—to proceed.
Avalon and Lyonesse represent two possible destinations, each with its own mythology. Avalon is associated with creation and healing, while Lyonesse is linked to darkness and death. Tamsin's choice of Avalon may reflect her hope that Nash is still alive, but the ambush suggests that others are also seeking the same destination.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the narrative. It solidifies the core alliance that will drive the rest of the quest, while also planting seeds of betrayal and mistrust. Tamsin's confession about the basilisk venom deepens her character and raises the stakes for her personal journey. The revelation of the ring's deadly claim—known only to Tamsin and Cabell—gives them a strategic advantage over Neve, but also foreshadows the moral compromises they may have to make. The chapter ends with a cliffhanger: the Hollowers' ambush and Septimus's declaration that they are all going to Avalon. This sets up the next phase of the story, where the group must navigate both external threats and internal deceptions.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tamsin agree to work with Neve and Emrys, despite her distrust?
Tamsin agrees because she needs Neve's magical ability to locate Nash and Emrys's knowledge of how to reach an Otherland. She also believes she can outmaneuver them, since she knows the ring must be claimed through deadly force—a fact Neve does not know. Her decision is pragmatic: keeping her allies close allows her to stay one step ahead while pursuing her own goal.
2. What does the "Prague" strategy reveal about Tamsin and Cabell's relationship with Nash?
"Prague-ing" refers to a past job where Nash tricked a sorceress by exploiting her inexperience. Tamsin and Cabell plan to use the same tactic against Neve, showing that they have inherited Nash's cunning and willingness to deceive others. It also reveals that Nash's methods have shaped their worldview, even as they struggle with his disappearance.
3. How does the darkness event foreshadow the danger ahead?
The sudden darkness that falls and lifts is unexplained, but it immediately precedes the Hollowers' ambush. It suggests that supernatural forces are at play, possibly connected to the ring or the Otherlands. The darkness also serves as a warning that the group is not in control of their environment, and that they are being watched or hunted. Septimus's declaration that they are going to Avalon confirms that the darkness was a signal or a trap, raising the stakes for the journey ahead.