Chapter 70: Chapter V – Imprisonment and Ward Magic
⚠️ 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
Tes regrets not escaping on a ship when she had the chance. Now she is locked in a magically warded cell beneath the palace, handcuffed but not magically bound because the ward itself suppresses all magic. She tries to comfort herself with thoughts of freedom but acknowledges the difference between a gamble and a good purchase is only retrospect. Two soldiers guard her, and they discover her dead owl Vares, who animates outside the ward. They play with the little bone owl, even feeding it crumbs of sweetcake while ignoring Tes’s request for food. Tes attempts to unravel the ward by touching its flowing magic, but receives a painful shock that leaves her gasping. As she recovers, she hears footsteps on the stairs and looks up to see not Lila Bard but the queen herself.
Key Events
- Tes is imprisoned in a warded cell beneath the palace, somewhere near or below water level.
- She reflects on her missed chance to flee on a ship and avoid capture.
- The two guards find Vares, the dead owl, which briefly comes to life outside the ward; they amuse themselves with it.
- Tes asks for food and is ignored.
- She tries to interfere with the ward’s magical threads and receives a violent shock.
- The queen arrives at the prison.
Character Development
- Tes: Shows resourcefulness and defiance even in captivity. She studies the ward’s structure, attempts to exploit a weakness, and endures the painful consequence without giving up. Her internal monologue reveals her pragmatic survival instincts and her contempt for her captors.
- The soldiers: Indifferent and somewhat cruel. They play with Vares but refuse Tes food, displaying casual disregard for her humanity.
- Vares: The dead owl acts as a tangible reminder of Tes’s limitations and her connection to a world of magic that is currently blocked.
- The queen (unnamed): Her arrival raises the stakes, suggesting Tes’s captivity has drawn the attention of the highest power in the palace.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Wards as paradox: The chapter explores the idea that anti-magic spells must themselves be active magic, creating a potential vulnerability – Tes’s failed attempt highlights both the danger and the possibility.
- Imprisonment and freedom: Tes’s regret about not fleeing and her persistent efforts to escape emphasize the value of personal liberty.
- Power dynamics: The soldiers’ casual cruelty toward a prisoner who cannot fight back illustrates the dehumanizing effect of absolute control.
- Retrospect: Tes’s father’s quote about gamble versus purchase underscores how decisions only seem wise or foolish in hindsight – a motif that runs through her regrets.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the reader’s understanding of magical mechanics (specifically wards) and raises the personal stakes for Tes. It also sets up a direct confrontation with the queen, moving the plot toward a new power struggle. Tes’s resilience here foreshadows her potential to turn the tables despite the seemingly hopeless situation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tes fail when she tries to tamper with the ward?
She attempts to “hook” one of the iron-colored magic threads that flow through the cell. The ward is designed to repress magic, and any interference triggers a painful shock that forces her back.
2. How do the soldiers treat Tes versus Vares?
They ignore Tes’s request for food but actively play with the dead owl, feeding it sweetcake and laughing at its movements. The contrast highlights their casual contempt for the human prisoner.
3. What does the arrival of the queen imply for the rest of the story?
It indicates that Tes’s capture has reached the highest levels of palace authority, likely leading to a more serious interrogation or sentencing. The queen’s involvement raises the tension and may shift the conflict from a local problem to a matter of state.