Chapter 44: The Woes of First Love and Smoke—Matilda
⚠️ 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
On the last day of peace, Matilda remains close to Nathaniel as Wyndrift's defenders stock the towers with stone, arrows, oil, and sandbags for a potential river flood. She insists on wearing only chainmail, greaves, and gauntlets instead of the full armor Hyacinthe provides, preferring her own river slippers and belt. Vincent has not yet returned from his mission, and Matilda fights the urge to use her Skyward sight to find him, knowing she must focus on the present.
In the silent watch before dawn, Nathaniel asks why she loves Vincent. Matilda explains that Vincent dreamed of her first—his soul found hers before she knew how to look. Nathaniel reveals that Vincent had one other woman but did not love her, and that Vincent considers Matilda his first love. He confesses that Vincent was broken when he could no longer find her in dreams and began drinking tonics to forget. Nathaniel pleads with Matilda to be gentle with his brother and not steal his heart again if she plans to leave. Matilda promises to protect them but does not deny she will eventually depart.
At dawn, Grimald's army marches onto Fury Bridge. Nathaniel refuses to yield. The battering ram advances under a shield wall, and arrows and rocks prove ineffective. The baron's forces pause, and then Warin—hidden among the knights—uses magic to melt the iron portcullis into white smoke, exposing the wooden gate. Matilda calls to Shale for wind, but the air is still. The battering ram strikes, the gate falls, and enemy soldiers pour into Fury Tower.
Key Events
- Matilda stays at Nathaniel's side throughout the final day of preparations, watching the towers be armed and sandbags laid against a possible flood.
- Hyacinthe brings armor; Matilda chooses only the mail, greaves, and gauntlets, keeping her old shoes and her own weapons.
- Nathaniel asks Matilda about her love for Vincent and tells her that Vincent considers her his first love; he was broken when the dreams stopped.
- Nathaniel asks Matilda to be gentle and not to steal Vincent's heart if she intends to leave Wyndrift.
- At dawn, Grimald's forces approach Fury Bridge with a battering ram; Nathaniel commands archers and rock throwers, but the shield wall holds.
- Warin, hidden among the knights, uses magic to melt the portcullis into smoke, leaving the wooden gate vulnerable.
- Matilda calls to Shale for wind, but receives no response; the gate is breached and enemies enter the tower.
Character Development
Matilda demonstrates her commitment to Vincent and Nathaniel by adhering to Vincent's request to stay by his brother's side. Her preference for lighter armor and her own weapons shows her independence and warrior instinct, even as she doubts her usefulness as a herald in combat. Nathaniel's revelation about Vincent's past love stirs guilt and confusion in Matilda, highlighting her struggle to understand mortal emotions and the weight of her own potential departure.
Nathaniel reveals his protective nature toward Vincent, speaking openly about his brother's suffering after the dreams ended. His request for Matilda to be gentle exposes his fear of Vincent being hurt again and his awareness that Matilda is a goddess who will not remain permanently. Nathaniel remains steady in command, refusing Grimald's demand and directing the defense with calm authority.
Warin acts as a hidden weapon for Grimald, using his magic to destroy the portcullis and change the course of the siege. His presence marks a new level of threat, as his power directly undermines the fortress's defenses.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- First Love and Vulnerability: The conversation between Matilda and Nathaniel centers on the idea of first love and the risk of heartbreak. Vincent's past with another woman—whom he did not love—contrasts with his deep attachment to Matilda, making him vulnerable to her eventual departure. The theme explores how love leaves lasting scars even for immortals and mortals alike.
- Armor as Burden: Matilda's rejection of the full armor symbolizes her refusal to be weighed down by expectations. The breastplate would prevent her from wearing her belt; the boots would slow her. This reflects her pragmatic approach to battle and her identity as a swift, adaptable herald rather than a traditional warrior.
- Smoke and Transformation: Warin's magic turns iron to white smoke, symbolizing dissolution and the collapse of security. The portcullis, a barrier of iron, is erased without a blow, leaving only the wooden gate—which falls under the ram. Smoke is also a motif of obscuring vision and hiding intentions, as Warin remained unseen among the knights until the key moment.
- The Indifferent River: The river continues to flow "oblivious and babbling" as the battle begins, representing the natural world's disregard for human conflict. It also serves as a potential weapon (flooding) that the defenders have prepared for but that Warin does not deploy, keeping the focus on siege tactics.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the siege of Wyndrift. It establishes the personal stakes of Matilda's relationship with Vincent and Nathaniel, deepening her emotional investment in the fight. Nathaniel's request for gentleness foreshadows the pain that Matilda's departure will cause, regardless of the battle's outcome. The fall of the portcullis and gate marks the first major breach in Wyndrift's defenses, shifting the conflict from a distant siege to close-quarters combat. Matilda's unsuccessful call to Shale suggests that the natural forces she once commanded may be unavailable or unwilling to aid her, raising the tension for the coming battle.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Nathaniel ask Matilda about her love for Vincent, and what does his question reveal about his character? Nathaniel asks because he is protective of Vincent and wants to understand the depth of Matilda's feelings. His question reveals that he is not only a loyal brother but also someone who fears Vincent will be hurt again after the loss of the dreams. He seeks reassurance that Matilda will treat Vincent with care, showing his emotional intelligence and concern beyond the immediate military crisis.
2. What does Matilda's decision to wear only part of the armor tell us about her approach to battle and her identity? Matilda chooses the lighter mail, greaves, and gauntlets because she believes a full breastplate would slow her down. This decision reflects her reliance on speed and agility rather than brute strength. It also signals that she is not entirely comfortable with mortal armor and prefers to stay true to her own methods and weapons, reinforcing her identity as a herald and a goddess who operates differently from human soldiers.
3. How does Warin's magic change the dynamics of the siege, and why might Shale not respond to Matilda's call? Warin's magic melts the iron portcullis without a physical assault, eliminating a key defensive layer and allowing the battering ram to target the gate directly. This forces the defenders into a reactive position and demonstrates that Grimald possesses powerful magic to counter Wyndrift's preparations. Shale's failure to respond may indicate that Warin's magic suppresses the wind, or that Matilda's connection to the natural elements is weaker in this moment of crisis, leaving her without her most potent ally.