Chapter Thirteen: A War of the Realms Begins
⚠️ 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
Tiyung and Hana arrive in the coastal city of Pont after an uncomfortable donkey cart ride. Hana negotiates for horses while Tiyung, now penniless, reflects on his lost noble status. They stop at a messenger house, where Hana sends coded messages via eagle. At the market, Tiyung indulges in a large meal to overcome his prison hunger, and they purchase additional weapons. Hana insists they press on toward the next town before dark, despite the cold rain. While riding the Coastal Road, they spot a fleet of nearly a hundred ships in the East Sea. Tiyung identifies Weian, Yusan, and Khitan flags, including a white boat with a red flag and black snake. He realizes his father has triggered a war of the realms.
Key Events
- Tiyung and Hana reach Pont and acquire horses.
- Hana sends three eagles with coded messages.
- Tiyung buys and devours multiple pork buns, noodles, and a cherry cake.
- The pair purchases daggers, a sword, and throwing blades for protection.
- Hana leads them onto the Coastal Road to make it to the next town before nightfall.
- Tiyung asks how Daysum died; Hana suspects natural causes or overdose.
- They discuss Tiyung’s mother: Hana doubts her kindness, Tiyung argues it coexists with self-interest.
- Hana spots a fleet of 90-100 ships from Weia, Yusan, and Khitan preparing to invade.
- Tiyung concludes his father has started a war.
Character Development
Tiyung – His noble identity has been stripped away; he laughs at his own fall from wealth. The desperate hunger from prison still drives him, and he eats ravenously. He shows emotional depth when thinking about Daysum and his mother, acknowledging that love and self-interest can coexist. His realization about the fleet cements his understanding of the consequences of his father’s ambition.
Hana – Practical and resourceful, she manages their funds and leads the journey. She is cynical about kindness that does not lead to action, as seen in her judgment of Tiyung’s mother. Yet she offers a brief prayer for Daysum, showing she is not devoid of compassion. Her surprise at the fleet highlights the gravity of the discovery.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Self-interest vs. Kindness – Tiyung’s reflection on his mother frames kindness as limited by self-preservation. Hana rejects that, while Tiyung argues that few are entirely selfless.
Loss of Status – Tiyung’s lack of money and his laughing at Seok’s threat illustrate how his noble past is now irrelevant.
War and Consequences – The fleet symbolizes the culmination of Seok’s schemes. The mix of flags (Weia, Yusan, Khitan) suggests a multi-kingdom conflict, putting Tiyung’s personal grievances in a larger, destructive context.
Journey as Transformation – The physical discomfort of the road reflects Tiyung’s transition from privileged prisoner to fugitive who must rely on others.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point: the war that has been simmering in the background finally materializes, directly linking Tiyung’s father’s actions to the fate of the realms. It also deepens Tiyung’s character by exploring his feelings toward Daysum and his mother. Hana’s leadership and moral stance become clearer, setting the stage for the choices she and Tiyung will make in the coming chapters. The revelation of the fleet raises the stakes dramatically and shifts the novel from personal survival to geopolitical conflict.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Tiyung’s attitude toward his mother differ from Hana’s?
Tiyung sees his mother as kind but trapped by her own need for security and love for his father. Hana believes that genuine kindness would have compelled her to act against the abuse, regardless of personal cost.
2. What does the fleet sighting reveal about Tiyung’s father’s actions?
It confirms that Seok has allied with other kingdoms (Weia, Yusan, Khitan) and launched an invasion, making Tiyung’s earlier fears a reality. The “war of the realms” is now underway.
3. Why does Tiyung refrain from asking Hana who she contacted by eagle?
He doesn’t want to put her in a position where she would have to lie. This shows his growing trust and his desire to protect their fragile alliance.