The Ruin of Kings (Book)

## *The Ruin of Kings*

Cover of US Edition Hardback

This is first installment in the series *A Chorus of Dragons*, by Jenn Lyons. It follows the orphan Kihrin from the Capital of Quur through his late teenage years.

## Official Synopsis

*"Kihrin is a bastard orphan who grew up on storybook tales of long-lost princes and grand quests. When he is claimed against his will as the long-lost son of a treasonous prince, Kihrin finds that being a long-lost prince isn't what the storybooks promised.*

*Far from living the dream, Kihrin finds himself practically a prisoner, at the mercy of his new family's power plays and ambitions. He also discovers that the storybooks have lied about a lot of other things too: dragons, demons, gods, prophecies, true love, and how the hero always wins.*

*Then again, maybe he's not the hero, for Kihrin is not destined to save the empire.*

*He's destined to destroy it."*

## Map and Art

The map and chapter art in *The Ruin of Kings* is drawn by Jenn Lyons as Thurvishar D'Lorus would have drawn it (accord to the author). The map itself shows the continents of Vala and Tyga. Additionally each chapter has artwork to represent groups, characters, events, and other important items in the book. These were also done as if Thurvishar D'Lorus had done them.

Map from BookColored VersionGryphonXaltorath/DemonCrown and ScepterDragon
## Plot

BE WARNED: This series is very fast paced and the following contains major spoilers. You've been warned.

### *The Ruin of Kings* Part I (Talon's Story)

The novel starts six months from Kihrin's 16th birthday.

*"If you were to ask me today if there was a single action, one event, that might have changed the course of what followed, I will unfailingly point to this: the day you broke into that Kazivar House and let curiosity bid you stay, when a wiser man would have fled."*
Once in the upper bedroom he sees evidence of an "assignation gone very wrong" and hears evidence of interrogation in an inner courtyard of the house regarding an item they call the Stone of Shackles. He continues to steal from the bedroom, finding a drussian dagger, a pouch of herbs, an intaglio-carved ruby ring, and a green gem wrapped in silver metal (THEORY: The stone likely a Cornerstone. See Cornerstones for more information on the stone and theory) similar to his own necklace. Storing away his loot he sneaks to a balcony overlooking the courtyard where the interrogation continues. There he sees a noble looking figure he names Pretty Boy (Darzin D'Mon) and a pale black clad figure he names Dead Man (Gadrith D'Lorus) standing over a restrained Kirpis vane with pastel violet hair.

*"Rook dubbed the two men Pretty Boy and Dead Man (Footnote: Far better names than their legal ones, in my opinion), and decided if he never met either of them face-to-face, he might die happy."*
He is almost caught by Dead Man (Gadrith D'Lorus) but remains hidden by repeating in his head "*I am not here. No Flesh, no sound, no presence.*" Reassured they are alone the men resolve that the vane is a dead end and debate using their "'contingency'". A shadow in the dark speaks directly into Kihrin's head and then Dead Man (Gadrith D'Lorus) absorbs the soul of the vane and magically destroys the dead body which is eaten by the demon shadow (Xaltorath). Kihrin curses, and the men send the demon after the sound.

*"Then it flowed toward the shadows, swallowed whole by gigantic mouth of a demon that stepped out of the darkness. 'Shit!' Rook cursed between shaking teeth, and knew he'd made a mistake - probably a fatal one.  Dead Man looked up at the balcony. 'There's someone up there.'  'He'll get them,' Pretty Boy said. 'You. Fetch.'"*
Kihrin runs from the Kazivar House to Butterbelly's Pawn Shop. He enters and after catching his breath accuses Butterbelly of setting him up. Butterbelly denies this but can only say the tip came from "'...a good source. A trusted source.'" After tensions settle Kihrin hands Butterbelly his loot with a smirk, and they haggle over the price for the intalgio carved ruby ring. While discussing it Butterbelly questions Kihrin on where the money he earns goes as he hasn't been caught by the Watchmen for spending it. Kihrin grows defensive stating its not for him, and Butterbelly ponders over the likelihood the money is for Surdyeh. Kihrin begins to ask a question when the pair is interrupted by the arrival of Faris and two of his gang members (one being Merit, who is then unnamed).

*"Butterbelly, next time Princess has kittens do you want me to bring you a couple? Your shop seems to have a problem with rats."*
Faris and Kihrin begin taunting each other over their past with Kihrin calling Faris, Ferret. As Kihrin goes to leave, Faris snatches Kihrin's belt pouch and taunts him again. As Kihrin is stopped by one of Faris's gang they go through the pouch and tease him about the necklace and being (which is not a full truth) a velvet boy. Kihrin kicks the blocking thug in the groin and when the next (Merit) steps up with a club Butterybelly shoots the second man (Merit) with his crossbow, yelling no fighting. Faris leaves to take his member to a blue house. As they leave Butterbelly picks up the green gem necklace and begins to admire it excitedly, calling it a tsali stone.

*"'Laaka in the sea, Rook- where did you get this?' ...The teenager chewed his lower lip. 'Is it something you can move?' Butterbelly grinned. 'Can I move it? Oh, can I ever! This, my boy, THIS, is a tslai stone...'"*
After noticing he was giving too much away Butterbelly claims the stone is traceable and hard to move. He and Kihrin begin to haggle over a price and nearly settle on one before Butterbelly raises the offer if Kihrin would sell the indigo gem necklace (Stone of Shackles) that Kihrin has had since birth and is believed to be from his mother. Kihrin becomes very angry at Butterbelly's attempts. Kihrin raises the offer for just the green gem, demands the money the usual way, and walks out.

 *The teenager stared at [Butterbelly]. Something in that stare made Butterbelly uncomfortable. Something in that stare wasn't natural, wasn't healthy. It made him feel small and petty.  He wondered if maybe those rumors were true.*
Kihrin is woken by Surdyeh in their small apartment in the Shattered Veil. His adoptive father chides him for his lack of practice, while they prepare for a rehearsal in the Shattered Veil with Morea, a new slave of Ola's. Kihrin stumbles through his lines (likely due to a growing affection for Morea) as Surdyeh plays the harp, and Morea dances to the Maevanos. After the rehearsal when some customers attempt to borrow Morea for themselves for the night, Kihrin stands up for her while Surdyeh hands her his cloak.

 *"'Oh great. There's two of you,' Kihrin said. 'Miss Morea, you're not taking customers right now, are you?'  The beads in her hair rattled as she shook her head. 'No.'  'There you are, boys. She's not open for business, Shoo.' Only someone who knew Kihrin would have noticed the tremble of fear in his voice."*
The men seem to ignore Kihrin until Roarin comes up to direct the men away. Morea thanks him, noticing Kihrin's blue eyes. When Morea requests a drink on a nearby couch, Kihrin agrees to get it, to the disapproval of Surdyeh, who chides him about possibly being late for a client and taking advantage of Morea's situation. Kihrin uses the excuse of fetching Surdyeh's cloak from Morea, then brings her the drink. She asks him about his mother and he answers she was Doltari, which Morea is confused over. When she tries to have him sit, he at first refuses (due to his own personal rules about not taking advantage of women in the club), but agrees, allowing Morea to brush out his hair and massage his scalp. She notices he has blonde hair under his black dye, and questions if he is Ogenra, which Kihrin angrily denies. Morea admits it is because he resembles a royal she hates, and as Kihrin struggles to not grow angry, she explains that if he were Ogenra, he might could investigate where her missing sister is. Angry at feeling used, Kihrin accuses her of manipulating him causing Morea to attempt to slap him, but he walks out promising to ask Ola about the sister.

*" '...you're sweet, and you're beautiful, and you stood up to those men...why do my motives have to be any more sinister than that?'  His expression didn't soften. 'Because you're selling something, and you thought I was eager to buy.'  Morea tried to slap him, but he ducked away from her. He was quick."*
Kihrin is caught by Ola who questions him about the robbery at the Kazivar House. Before he can answer Surdyeh joins them and chides Ola for spoiling Kihrin with the girls. The two leave the club heading down Peddler's Lane where Kihrin is jolted from his thoughts by Surdyeh letting go of Kihrin's arm. Turning back, he runs right into what he believes at first to be a wall, but is in fact the demon Xaltorath. Kihrin shoves Surdyeh into a doorway and attempts to run, but is caught around the ankles by Xaltorath's tail. While picking up Kihrin by his feet, Xaltorath paraphrases pieces of a prophecy before licking Kihrin's face and necklace and sending mental images of Kihrin hurting his loved ones both in fantasies and memories (the author has referred to this as mind rape) especially images involving women.

 *"'HAIL TO THE, LAWBREAKER...HAIL TO THEE, THIEF OF SOULS...HAIL TO THEE, PRINCE OF SWORDS...LONG DID I SEARCH FOR THE LION, BUT NOW I HAVE FOUND THE HAWK.'"*
The torture stops when a group of Watchmen led by a soldier (High General Qoran Milligreest) distracts Xaltorath with questions and taunts. When Xaltorath realizes this and begins to attack, Kihrin stabs the demon in the left eye with his knife, causing the demon to toss him into a wall. When Kihrin wakes up he joins the solider (Qoran) and a commoner looking person in a patchwork brown salli cloak (Emperor Sandus). Kihrin questions if the demon is dead and refuses to be touched due to flashbacks. He agonizes over the broken harp causing Emperor Sandus to realize he is Surdyeh's son. This causes Kihrin to come to and ask after his father, to which the soldier (Qoran) sends Captain Jarith (Milligreest) to find the blind musician, right before Kihrin passes out.

 *"'That was your father's harp? You're Surdyeh's son?'  Kihrin meant to keep yelling but the soft question cut off the strings of his anger. 'How do you know...' He blinked. 'You know my father?' 'Indeed.' Fond remembrance wrestled with old pain behind the man's eyes. 'We're friends, once.' He examined Kihrin, his expression unreadable."*
While passed out Kihrin is healed by 'the soldier's man' (likely Emperor Sandus), Emperor Sandus leaves, and Surdyeh is found. The soldier, revealed now to be the High General, invites them to his house later that evening so he can replace the harp that was broken (Later revealed to be at the request of Emperor Sandus, and is likely due to Qoran recognizing Kihrin's eyes, but only Surdyeh and later Ola know this.) Surdyeh and Kihrin are helped back to the Shattered Veil Club by two soldiers and Captain Jarith. Morea is risen from servicing a drunk merchant (possibly Hallith, Harith, Halis?) in her crib, pondering over Ola and her history (that Ola had been rumored to be a princess on the run and had made her fortune by spending a night with Emperor Gendal when she was a slave, earning from him a necklace of star tear diamonds). She is interrupted from these thoughts when she sees the group return in the courtyard from a servant's entrance. Morea on seeing their return, fetches Ola and she mothers over Kihrin defensively. There Surdyeh continues to turn down the offer of a new harp while Kihrin continues to accept. Once Jarith and the soldiers leave, Surdyeh continues to argue with Kihrin, causing Ola to grow furious (according to Morea).

 *"'Qoran Milligreest, the High General of the Great and Holy Empire of Quur,' Surdyeh began with a mocking, angry voice, 'has just invited our pride and joy to come over to his house.'"*
Ola agrees in a mothering hen way, that Kihrin should go to the meeting, but points out his beaten state. She insists he take a bath in her room and Morea help him. Kihrin pretends to fall for it, and agrees, only revealing it a lie when he and Morea close the door to Ola's apartment. There he becomes visibly shaken and Morea attempts to comfort him over a drink. He reveals to her what happened and adds that it terrifies him because in the scenes Xaltorath showed him he enjoyed doing those things, and that there was a girl with blood red hair he had never met, but felt deeply for (Spoilers: Janel). Morea comforts him that this does not make him a bad person, and the two head to the tub.

 *"'What if it wasn't a trick? What if my reactions were my own and I really do enjoy hurting people? What if only showed me what I truly am?' 'No,' she protested. 'Someone like that wouldn't have ordered me to not touch them- for my protection. I have known evil men. I have known men who love no sound so much as the screams of their victims. They don't feel guilt about the hurt they cause. They don't obsess about whether or not they are good people. This demon wasn't trying to show you the truth about yourself. He wanted to hurt you.'"*
Ola joins them, upset that Morea is still fully clothed while Kihrin washes, but feigns good humor as she brings in dinner. Kihrin then begs her to tell the story of how Ola found Kihrin, and after some taunting she agrees as she sees he wants Morea to hear it. Ola tells the story of Kihrin's mother being killed at the crowning of Emperor Sandus in the Arena. When Morea marvels at the story though, Kihrin tells her it is a false tale, and he was really found by Surdyeh in a garbage heap (\*\* Spoiler: For accurate story and lineage see D'Mon Family Tree). Kihrin then passes out (Ola had drugged the wine hoping to prevent Kihrin from going to the meeting.). Ola tells Morea to get him to bed as she eats the rest of the dinner, discussing with Morea about her plans and Kihrin. When she leaves, Kihrin awakes and reveals to Morea he switched the poisoned cup. He then tells Morea his plan to go to the meeting, return unnoticed, pretend Ola's plan worked, and take the tavern she bought for him in Eamithon. After leaving the club, he then climbs the Stair of Dreams (for the first time in his life) to the Upper Circle where he's recognized and escorted by Watchmen, while he thinks of Surdyeh and what he taught him about the Royal Houses, which is upsettingly little.

*"'...[M]eet me in the practice yards and I'll show you how much of a girl I can be. I bet I beat the pants off of you.' Kihrin was hardly in the mood for flirting, but he couldn't let the line pass without comment. 'Careful there. I might enjoy that.'"*
Jarith apologizes to Kihrin as Morea's sister is owned by Darzin D'Mon, who would never let her go if he knew someone desired her. He then admits his kindness towards Kihrin is due to desiring Kihrin not to think less of them for being cousins to Darzin. He then escorts Kihrin to the library to meet the General. Jarith leads Kihrin to the extremely hot library, leaving, promising to find someone to bank the fire. Kihrin waits for a moment before going to do this himself, walking behind a high backed chair, only to have someone in the chair clear their throat when he pokes the fire. Turning, Kihrin sees it is Pretty Boy (Darzin D'Mon) and makes a run for the door, crashing into the High General (Qoran Milligreest).
Both the General and Darzin (now named) express their confusion. When Darzin asks after Kihrin's purpose for being here and Milligreest tells him of Xaltorath, Darzin is surprised it had attacked Kihrin. As the two continue to discuss the topic, Kihrin slips on his invisibility and slips into the hall before being noticed. Darzin marvels at the skill before the group go to a small room with several harps (Music Room). The General tells Kihrin to pick one and play it, causing Kihrin to pick the least valuable looking one. After Kihrin tests it, Qoran laments that it is actually the most valuable, and that perhaps that was the Emperor's intention all along. Kihrin questions this and the General reveals that the man in the patchwork salli at the attack site was the Emperor. Kihrin expresses confusion as he voices Sandus's comment on knowing Kihrin's father. This causes Darzin to realize who Kihrin is, though he keeps it to himself. Kihrin then plays a song on the harp and Qoran allows him to take the harp, called Valathea, and Kihrin leaves. After he goes Darzin attempts to excuse himself, confirming and thanking the High General as Kihrin was of their blood. However, Qoran demands he stay as he had intended to do so with Therin (the originally invited person).

*"'You have blue eyes...' Darzin whispered softly, staring at Kihrin as if to memorize him. A look of dawning comprehension stole over him. Darzin smiled then, cruelly, and ran his tongue over his lips. 'And here I didn't think Taja liked me.'  Kihrin's hands tightened on the harp."*
Terrified that Darzin is out to get him, Kihrin runs back to the Shattered Veil to Morea, where he tells her to stash the harp, and tell Surdyeh and Ola he saw a golden hawk, which is code (the irony dawning on him) to run and hide. Meanwhile he dashes to Butterbelly's shop where he finds the fence gruesomely murdered and the tsali stone gone. Fearing for Surdyeh, he runs back to the Club to find Ola in her apartment with a crossbow. Taking the crossbow from her, Kihrin tells her they need to go and grabs the extra crossbow from the main room. While loading it he hears a noise in the bedroom and when investigating, finds Surdyeh and Morea murdered in the bed. He is immediately jumped by four thugs but kills three, and seriously wounds the last. When he goes to leave he finds a woman (Talon) laying on Ola's table. She's able to read his mind that indeed she is there for him, and compliments him on his kills before introducing herself as Talon, his murder. He attempts to shoot her but Talon simply pulls the bolt out of her chest.

*"Kihrin stared at her in disbelief. "I just want you to know this has been a really bad day." He tossed the crossbow aside as he readied the mace. She nodded, still smiling. 'Don't fret too much, beautiful boy. It'll all be over soon.'"*
He surmises she's a mimic based on her threat to eat him, and after more taunting she finds his name in his head, which she 'mispronounces' as Khaerin (but according to Thurvishar this may not be a mispronunciation). She then reveals that Ola did indeed find Kihrin in Arena Park and that she is/used to be the one who brought him there and gave him the Stone of Shackles after it switched her into her killer's body. She celebrates finding him before the wounded thug shoots Kihrin in the chest with a crossbow. As Kihrin fades out he sees Talon maul the thug, and Darzin arrive.
A little later, Ola Nathera is interrupted from bedding another woman with Morea (keep in mind she's dead at this point) pounding on the door. Morea mentions Kihrin and the two head to Ola's apartment where she sees the blood and damage. As she questions, Morea punches her against a cabinet.

  *"'Late again. You're always late, Ola.'"*
Talon shifts from Morea to her usual form of Lyrilyn, and a terrified Ola, who recognizes her, panics. Talon holds her against a wall and kisses her, shifting again to a younger version of Ola before going back and tossing Ola across the room. Ola names her a mimic, which Talon confirms, explaining how she died at the hands of a mimic while wearing the Stone of Shackles because Ola was late to meet her. Talon reminisces over their prior love, and admits she's likely a little insane, or at least fuzzy around the edges. She then reveals Kihrin is with the D'Mons, the death of Surdyeh and Morea. Ola laments she never meant for Lyrilyn to get hurt, but Talon accuses her that she had darker purposes for Kihrin which Ola denies. Angering Talon, the mimic picks her up into the air before tossing her to the ground, accusing her of lying about that. Lecturing her on the stupidity of remaining in the city. Ola explains it was Surdyeh's idea, who worked for her at the time. When accused of trusting him though, Ola's memory grows foggy. Talon connects the dots that Ola had been enchanted to trust Surdyeh, who she remembered she met that night she had spent with Emperor Gendal before Kihrin. Talon reveals she won't kill Ola and takes her with her.
When he wakes, he finds himself in a blue clad bedroom, which he guesses to mean he is in Darzin's hands. An old doctor, Master Lorgrin, speaks with him, telling him he is in the D'Mon palace, Darzin is waiting to speak to him, and reveals Kihrin is a kidnapped royal child. As Kihrin panics, Lorgrin tells him to rest.
Master Lorgrin wakes Kihrin and states it is time to get up and dress to see Darzin. As Kihrin drags his feet he reveals to him how they are in the Private Court, far from escape. Servants wash and prepare Kihrin (who is still feeling Xaltorath's 'gift') and a guard captain escorts him to a patio where at a set breakfast table, Darzin waits for him. Kihrin asks after his friends and Darzin confirms their deaths, before telling Kihrin that he is Kihrin's father, and Lyrilyn is Kihrin's mother, much to Kihrin's shock. The two eat before Darzin tells Kihrin the full story of how he fell in love with Lyrilyn, Pedron D'Mon's slave, and he how he gave her the necklace Kihrin wears. Angry Kihrin curses his denial of the story, causing Darzin to loose his nice manner and as a message to Kihrin call forward a slave, who is whipped to be broken in to the house. In the middle of the whipping, Kihrin tosses coffee at Darzin, grabs a knife on the table and stabs the guard whipping the slave, killing him, before Darzin grabs and punches Kihrin. Stating that it seems Kihrin needs a lesson too, he begins to whip Kihrin before Lady Miya stops him. Darzin punches Kihrin one more time and kills the slave as punishment for the guard's death before allowing Lady Miya to escort Kihrin away.

*"'You son of a bitch!' Kihrin screamed.  'No, that would be you, my son,' Darzin laughed.*
Lady Miya (Miyathreall) leads Kihrin to the apothecary where she angrily slams down various herbs and orders him to heal himself. This leads to her point that just because Kihrin has a desire does not mean he has the training and knowledge to find a solution to Darzin. The two discuss Darzin, Miya's gaesh, and that Kihrin is not Ogenra, but has been formally presented and therefore a full member of the house. As she applies a salve to his wounds they discuss magic and what Kihrin knows of it and he expresses a desire to learn (especially healing magic), which she accepts before taking him to his room in the family's private wing. Several days later Kihrin has not left his rooms or changed clothes, but instead remained in his rooms, which feature decorated iron bars, living tree bed, and locks on the outside of the doors. (Spoiler, the rooms used to be Lady Miya's and have a door connecting them to Therin's.) Lady Miya uses magic to enter past Kihrin's barricade and they discuss Darzin's summoning of a demon and Kihrin realizes with her subtle help (mentioning that the Stone of Shackles was hers and Lyrilyn was never pregnant in the time she knew her) that Lady Miya is possibly his actual mother.

*"No, he couldn't believe Miya would do that for Lyrilyn's newborn child.  But for her own baby?"*
Kihrin agrees to go out of his room and begin his new life, but uses the first chance he gets to go to the stables and request a coach to escape in. While the stable hands prepare this, another coach returns home carrying Alshena D'Mon, who catches him and drags him (literally) back into the house. As they walk she lectures him on his stupidity, explaining to Kihrin the Royal House politics and rankings (and the risks of Kihrin leaving the Palace and being assassinated) before dropping him off at a door, revealed to be High Lord Therin D'Mon's. Therin has him sit and lectures Kihrin on the House politics, affirms D'Mon blood is in Kihrin even if Darzin is lying.

 *"' It would be a mistake,' Therin said as he gazed out over the Blue Palace, 'to think of House D'Mon as a family. We are not.'"*

After correcting Kihrin to call Miya, Lady Miya, the two discuss Ogenra and their value. Therin asks Kihrin if he believes Darzin is Kihrin's father, and Kihrin states he does not as there is no gain in it that Kihrin can see, causing him wondering what Darzin plans. Therin admits he does not know and wishes to, before revealing he knows about Kihrin's past life as Rook in the Shadowdancers. He states there is no where for Kihrin to run as Butterbelly was found killed with Kihrin's knives, and Ola has gone missing. This information he knows because he reveals the D'Mon's are the heads of the Shadowdancers. Therin then asks for more information about Kihrin and Faris's feud, before admitting he (Therin) did not kill Butterbelly, and this was likely done by Darzin's 'agent'.

*"'Then I assume that little accident that Faris ran into a few years back, the one where the Watchmen ended up taking a hand, was not an accident.'  'I was hoping he'd end up in the mines,' Kihrin said, as close as he'd ever come to admitting he framed another Shadowdancer.  The corner of Therin's mouth twitched. 'Something tells me you're going to fit in very well here.'"*
Therin asks Kihrin to keep tabs on Darzin before telling him Valathea has been returned to Kihrin, and to watch the volume as their rooms are adjacent to one another. Meanwhile, Alshena heads to the east wing of the Blue Palace to a secret underground chamber, entering as Darzin finishes poisoning a man to death on a table. She chides him that he used too much, at which he chides her appearance. She shifts, revealing herself to to be Talon, into Morea's appearance. Talon accuses that Kihrin is not Darzin's son, which her admits.

  *"'If that boy is your son I am the Virgin Duchess of Eamithon,' she growled.  Darzin threw up his arms. 'Fine, love. You're right. He's not my son, but since he real father will never have the stones to admit the truth, claiming him lets me control the brat. So, no, you can't kill him.'"*
Talon then reveals a plan of using Morea's sister to coerce Kihrin into giving up the Stone of Shackles. Darzin is shocked she knows about the Stone, and she chides him for doubting her knowledge, that the stone calls to her (which Thurvishar believes she lies about). Darzin questions her about the situation, but Talon claims (in a lie) that it was all Ola's idea. Darzin reveals that Ola's still missing, and his thoughts on getting the necklace from Kihrin. Talon compliments him that he has learned to shut her out (which is a lie), and the two settle to use Talea, Morea's sister, before making love on the table with the dead poisoned man.
The next day, Galen D'Mon is having breakfast with Darzin D'Mon, his father, in the Conservatory. The now younger son was relieved to no longer be the elder and therefore center of attention but Darzin rids him of those good feelings. He tasks Galen with befriending Kihrin, characterizing Kihrin as a murderous angry person. Galen connects the dots, that Darzin wants Galen to be a spy, which earned a rare genuine smile from Darzin. Later that day, Kihrin is introduced to fencing by Darzin, when Galen arrives. Kihrin taunts Darzin by back talking, prompting Darzin to hit him twice before leaving demanding Galen talk some sense into Kihrin

*"'Your first lesson, son,' Darzin hissed, 'is that you do not ever talk back to me. Understood?' The young man stared at Darzin. 'Well?' 'Am I supposed to answer or would that be talking back?'  Galen flinched when his father hit Kihrin again, this time knocking the teenager to the floor... 'Ah, a trick question,' Kihrin said. 'Thanks for the clarification.'"*
Galen tries to comfort Kihrin that it isn't all bad, and when Kihrin states Darzin as being Galen's father, Galen asserts he can prove Darzin is Kihrin's father. Galen takes Kihrin down a small servant passage to a secret room. The room has a small door but contains a lifesize gold plated statue of Thaena. Kihrin admires this first, wondering how it was gotten into the room as it couldn't have come the way they did. Galen calls him away to a portrait of Pedron D'Mon who looks nearly exactly like Kihrin with golden hair and blue eyes. It causes Kihrin to be saddened though. Galen then talks through the D'Mon lineage, that Pedron was the son of a vane slave, along with Tishar and that Therin's father was Pedron's half brother (by another mother). Kihrin then finds a small carving under Pedron's name (SPOILER: It is a prophecy Pedron believed he fulfilled), part of which states the sons will not know their fathers, which Kihrin interprets to mean Therin wasn't Pedron's nephew, but his son. (SPOILER: Though it is debatable if this prophecy references Pedron or someone else, this is the correct family tree.) He continues to connect this by pointing out his hair and eyes had to have come from Pedron's mother, a vane.

*"'Think about it. You brought me here to convince me that Darzin's my father, because I look like this High Lord Pedron. What you've really done is proven that High Lord Pedron* wasn't *our great-whatever-uncle.' 'Wait. I don't understand-'  Kihrin brandished a strand of his hair. 'Don't you get it? I wouldn't have this hair unless I was related to Pedron's vane* mother, *the one with the distinctive golden hair.'"*
He then connects that this means Therin, in killing Pedron, actually killed his father and not uncle as everyone always thought. Kihrin continues to explore the room finding a small book of poetry that he first attributes to Pedron and compliments. He then notes the young age of the book and Galen's remarks on it, causing Galen to admit they are his poems. Kihrin asks to borrow them to covert to song as they are actually quite good, which causes him to think of Surdyeh and he fills Galen in that Darzin killed Surdyeh. Kihrin then begins to swear he will run a sword through Darzin, accidentally cutting his finger on a knife held in Thaena statue's hand. He admits to doubting Galen at first, that Galen might stab him in the back, but says he trusts him now. The two leave to find Lady Miya to clean the wound.

*"'Give people a chance to forget his mother was a common whore.'  'Don't you mean common slut, sir?' Kihrin corrected.  All conversation stopped at the table."*
This angers Darzin greatly, but causes Lady Miya to laugh and Therin and the rest to join her, stating that it proved Kihrin was a D'Mon. Now even more angry Darzin sends Kihrin off to his room. As Kihrin storms away, Darzin follows him and punches him several times in the hall. Kihrin grabs a vase to fend off a third punch which Darzin breaks, and Darzin accuses him of baiting him, pulling out a knife. Darzin and Kihrin wrestle before Kihrin manages to slip away and into a side room where, to Darzin's eyes, he seems to have climbed down a window (but has really hiding invisibly). Therin enters and states Darzin can not abuse Kihrin or else, which causes Darzin to threaten Therin and confront him about Pedron. Therin states he has nothing to hide, as he does not care, but that he is not going to hide Darzin again like he did in the Affair of the Voices. Darzin states he should have killed "'that slut myself when I realized she was pregnant.'" causing Therin to slap him and send him away. After he's gone and Therin pours a drink, he calls Kihrin out from hiding, revealing how he knew he was there.
Kihrin then questions Therin on the Affair of the Voices, where Therin reveals it was an attempt to change the status quo of rule coming by way of the Council of Voices rather than Court of Gems (which was a curse put in place at the death of Emperor Simillion) due to belief in a prophecy. Kihrin quotes the lines from Pedron's painting, and Therin reveals Pedron was the thief (having grown up in the Lower Circle, starting the Shadowdancers, and being reclaimed), and Gadrith D'Lorus was the wizard, being helped by Darzin. Kihrin then confronts him about when Therin will stand up to Darzin, accusing him of being the reason Darzin is what he is, before storming out.

*"'But don't go patting yourself on the back because you protected me, because you let him do it-' 'I never-' 'You did!' Kihrin screamed. 'He summons demons and he murders people and he commits treason and you cover it up...And you sit here and feel sorry for yourself, at your great nobility and restrain in dealing with your rabid dog of a son. Well, you know what? You made that rabid dog the way he is...I hope you're proud of your boy,' Kihrin spat. 'As far as I'm concerned, you deserve each other.'"*
Kihrin returns to his room and contemplates breaking Valathea (harp) in anger, but is stopped by Alshena D'Mon (Talon). She thanks Kihrin for standing up to Darzin, and asks to join him. He tries to tell her people might talk, but she brushes it off and sits on his bed, asking for drink. Kihrin finds a strong bottle of vane wine which Alshena (Talon) tells him is likely Lady Miya's. This prompts a discussion that the rooms were once Nora D'Mon's (Therin's first wife, who died in childbirth and was not Returned even though Therin was a priest of Thaena), and in his depression afterward, were taken over by Nora's handmaiden Lady Miya who began to give orders as if they were Therin's. The House prospered under her rule but they had an argument around when Kihrin was born causing Lady Miya to move out of the rooms and Therin to reassert some active control. They then discuss her marriage to Darzin and discuss Galen which causes Alshena to (Talon) begin to cry and Kihrin attempts, fighting flashbacks of Xaltorath's torture, to comfort her. He attempts to walk away, and Alshena (Talon) calls him on his restraint, prompting him to reveal that he was tortured by a demon prince. Alshena states they were wondering about Kihrin's sexuality for marriage purposes, to which he, embarrassed, answers he does like girls, usually. She states she can help him, and offers him another drink.

"'*The first step to hooking you up with some appropriate and politically well-connected young lady is establishing whether you do, in fact, prefer young ladies.' She paused. 'Tishar and I were starting to wonder.' 'Yeah, well...' He rubbed his arms. 'You and Tishar can rest easy. I prefer girls. Usually. I mean-' He shivered. 'Oh damn.' 'Quite so, from the sounds of it.'"*
What follows isn't specifically stated, however, Darzin walks in on them the next morning to find Alshena (Talon) naked in Kihrin's bed, and her covered in bruises (which Talon, as a mimic, shouldn't be able to do) and Kihrin with one hand tied to a post. Darzin believes Talon has intentionally given him (Darzin) a gift. Kihrin wakes to Darzin dragging Alshena (Talon) out of bed by her hair, beating her. Kihrin defends her stating it is his fault and that he raped her. This prompts both men to look to Kihrin's tied hand and they seem to doubt, but Kihrin reasserts he would do anything so that Darzin would not kill her. Darzin threatens Alshena (Talon) again and sends her to their rooms, before telling a story of warning about a slave being pushed too far, which he says are like wives. Kihrin wonders why Darzin isn't angry, but Darzin states he's proud as cuckolding another man is part of acting royal, but warns him to stay away from bondage. Darzin then warns Kihrin not too be too rough and kill his partner, to use slaves for that (shocking Kihrin), and that Darzin had several slaves heading to the Octagon that afternoon that Kihrin could take his pick of. Kihrin denies this opportunity, to Darzin's frustration, after which Darzin threatens Alshena's life if Kihrin tries to bed her again before leaving.

*"Darzin was torn between the desire to laugh and the desire to hit him. Kihrin was such a little- Such a D'Mon."*
Kihrin dresses in a hurry and is attempting to get a carriage (which he is being denied as they think he's running away), when Tishar D'Mon arrives and pretends they are traveling together (to which Kihrin quickly adjusts), causing the stable hands to ready her carriage. Kihrin reveals to her he is headed for the Octagon and marvels over her carriage, which was gifted to Tishar by Pedron before she married Lord Heir Pharoes D'Evelin. Once in the carriage she voices his thoughts that no, Kihrin can not trust her, but that he is going to have to risk trusting someone. This prompts him to tell her he is seeking one of Darzin's slaves he's selling, Talea, as she is the sister to someone he knew before (Morea). Tishar recommends buying her on Therin's credit to prevent interference from Darzin after the purchase. She then reveals she was seeking Kihrin, and states her secret of surviving is that she never forgot she was the daughter of a slave (branching of into talking briefly about Pedron actually having good intentions), and so she communicates often with slaves and servants in the palace, who revealed to her Alshena had left Kihrin's rooms that morning, wounded by Darzin. Kihrin suspects blackmail, but Tishar wants only to know if the night was what Kihrin wanted. Kihrin admits that it was not, and Tishar promises to visit Alshena who, according to her, has been acting oddly.
Arriving at the Octagon, Tishar leads Kihrin to private rooms and passages to Humthra, a slave master in charge of the books and assessing slaves (he even mistakenly assesses Kihrin at first). In the books Tishar finds that Talea has been reserved for possible purchase by Lord Heir Thurvishar D'Lorus, recently returned from the Academy. Wondering if Thurvishar actually bought Talea, Tishar feigns a desire for tea which just happens to be served on a balcony overlooking the main hall where they can see who comes and leaves. Kihrin agrees and from the spot they spy Thurvishar leaving with Talea (hair done in braids by Talon to resemble Morea), and Tishar suspects Thurvishar might know they were watching before telling Kihrin it is improbable to get Talea now (informing him of Gadrith the Twisted's family name is D'Lorus).
Tishar leaves Kihrin in the main hall where a slave master (Venaragi) tries to entice him to buy a slave, to which Kihrin asks to see 'troublemakers'. Venaragi takes Kihrin and his two guards to see the gladiators where Kihrin finds Merit. When Merit remembers him, Kihrin asserts his lineage.

*"'Rook?' Merit stood up...  Rook pulled up one side of his mouth in something like a smile. 'I was hoping to find a friendly face down here. Instead I get you.' 'Shit.' Merit said. 'You're friendly looking enough for me. Faris said you'd sold yourself to some noble fop as a play toy, but I didn't believe it! But look at you...'  Rook turned his head. 'Hey Barus.' He motioned to one of the blue-dressed guards near him. 'Am I a noble fop's play toy?'  The guard shook his head. 'No, my lord. You are Kihrin D'Mon, eldest son of the Lord Heir D'Mon.' Kihrin looked back at Merit and shrugged. 'Who knew?' Merit blinked. 'You lucky son of a bitch.'  Kihrin's laughter was mocking."*
Kihrin then attempts to buy Merit, but he's let slip his high desire to own him and Venaragi suggests a high price of 5000 thrones. Kihrin then asks about Merit's cell mate (Star), and Venaragi states a price of 500 thrones. Curious Kihrin asks the slave, Star, why he's there (which Kihrin knows he's breaking etiquette to directly ask), and the slave responds he's a horse thief, who has escaped twice. Pretending to be outraged Kihrin accuses Venaragi of attempts to cheat him and demands Venaragi sell him the horse thief for 1000 thrones and throw in Merit for free. Venaragi, scared of the threat of Humthra, agrees.

*"'You were going to sell me a slave who has successfully escaped from the Pits? Twice?' An echo of warning crept into Kihrin's voice. Merit leaned back against the slimy, mossy wall and watched, keeping a bland expression. Sometimes it was just nice to watch a pro work."*
Kihrin then leaves with Merit and his cellmate (Star), but quickly pulls Merit to the side (grabbing where Butterbelly shot him) and tells him he bought him to do a job. Kihrin wants Merit to loot his old room at the now deserted Shattered Veil and Kihrin will pay him for what he finds. Merit questions if Kihrin killed Butterbelly and states if the other know Merit's helping Kihrin it could be trouble, which Kihrin reveals is how he knows Merit won't talk. They plan to leave/pick up the goods at the Culling Fields Tavern with a bouncer named Tauna. Kihrin then pays him 100 thrones and threatens that if Merit tries to hide Kihrin will take soldiers to every safe house, before he watches Merit run off, and takes Star home.

*"'Don't make me come find you. There isn't any place in the City where you can hide. I know all the safe houses. Nobody wants me to come gate-crashing with soldiers.'...[M]aybe, a small voice inside Merit whispered, [Kihrin had] simply cased the situation the same way he once would have cased a house, and figured out the way the dice would fall..."*
Later (possibly a day or two), Kihrin sits with Galen in the small hidden room of Galen's having a picnic of 'commoner food' while discussing going to the Culling Fields Tavern. Kihrin had gotten Darzin to allow it by offering Star as the handler for a Joratese Fireblood who could not be controlled (but who (the slave) was saved from Darzin's direct 'attention' as Kihrin had purchased him in Therin's name). When Galen brings up Alshena (his mother), Kihrin asks after her, and Galen replies she's kept to herself with a fever. The two get ready to leave when a large clang sounds, and Kihrin has Galen snuff the candle. The two wait silently as they realize one wall was in fact a door to another room where three men have entered. One, causes Galen to feel great fear (SPOILER: Dead Man/Gadrith D'Lorus), the second he recognizes as Darzin, and the final voice he finds is smooth and deep (SPOILER: Thurvishar D'Lorus). The men discuss what the room they were in used to be: a tomb built by Saric D'Mon the Eighth, then a demon summoning chamber under Pedron, then a chapel to Thaena under Therin, before Darzin finally turned it into a place to test poisons. The third man (Thurvishar) and Darzin also reveal a deep hatred for each other, before the first (Gadrith) reveals this was where the third man's father, Emperor Sandus, met his wife (Dyana) who was imprisoned as a sacrifice.
The group agree it'll work for their ritual and begin to leave. Galen starts to move when Kihrin holds him and the third man (Thurvishar) speaks very close to the door, revealing he knew they were there and warns them not to return. He is called up by the other men and Kihrin and Galen run all the way to the carriage house and order a carriage. Galen notices Kihrin is still shaking. In the carriage on the way to the Culling Fields Tavern the two discuss what they saw, and try to unravel how to present it to Therin, why the third man warned them, how Kihrin knows Dead Man, and who else they could tell. When Galen suggests Aunt Tishar, he also reveals that Tishar and her brother Pedron might have had a relationship, but Kihrin asserts it was not by Tishar's choice (due to the clues and sympathy Tishar had felt for him during his earlier conversation with her about Alshena). Kihrin bemoans he doesn't have a way to contact the Emperor before the two joke about an island in the middle of Rainbow Lake and the coach arrives at the Culling Fields.

 *"'I'm trying to find our some information." Kihrin flashed a brilliant smile at his younger brother. 'Trust me.'  Galen blushed and looked away. 'I thought we were here to have some fun.'  'Did you* see *her? Trust me, this is fun.'*
As they arrive at the tavern Kihrin finds a seat at a table in the crowded main room, ordering pepper beers, and Kihrin explains to Galen they are looking for a bouncer named Tauna. Galen is then shocked to see a morgage as a bouncer, before Kihrin spies Tauna playing a round of cards. He buys her a drink, saying it is from Merit, and when she receives it she walks by the pair to a back room. Kihrin is brought a drink which contains a key and Galen begins to get nervous, but when given the opportunity to stay he chooses to go with Kihrin to the back room. Once in the room with Tauna, Kihrin asks for the present from Merit, and once receiving payment (and more to explain what was found) Tauna hands over the goods. In the package are various items but an intaglio ruby ring catches Kihrin's eye and Tauna explains how it can be found on slaves and Council Lords alike, and by her guess is some sort of secret club. Galen guesses this is about Surdyeh, which Kihrin acknowledges before asking Tauna if she can find out more. She is unwilling, but says she'll ask her father Doc, who owns the tavern.

*"Kihrin bowed as he'd been taught. 'I'm honored, Lord Heir.  'Tall, aren't you?' Thurvishar said in lieu of more formal greeting. 'Call me Thurvishar. Lord Heir's my father's name.' He smiled as if daring either of the D'Mon's to commit the faux pas of mentioning his treasonous father, Gadrith the Twisted.  Except Kihrin knew it was a lie. Gadrith wasn't Thurvishar's father at all. So, he smiled back. 'Don't you mean 'was your father's name'?'  Darzin coughed to cover his laugh..."*
Kihrin is left on his own, admiring the beautiful women, before Jarith Milligreest finds him. Jarith consuls him on Surdyeh's death, and invites Kihrin to a card game later. Kihrin thanks him and after a while, when he thinks he's not being watched he heads towards the back rooms. He finds himself in a wondrous library but while looking at the painting of a sharp elegant woman is found by Thurvishar, who explains the woman is Thurvishar's mother (SPOILER: not actually) Raveri D'Lorus who was sentenced to Continuance (awaiting execution in order to deliver a child) for her involvement in the Affair of the Voices. Kihrin questions what Continuance means and after Thurvishar explains, Kihrin apologizes for entering.

*"'When a female member of royalty, who is expected to provide an heir, is condemned of capital crimes-she's kept in prison until the baby is delivered, and* then *executed. That way the House continues.'  Kihrin felt a shudder. 'That's uh....' 'I believe the word you're looking for is 'vile'"*
Thurvishar instead asks if Kihrin is interested in books and if he was looking for anything, Kihrin denies it and attempts to leave, nearly running into Talea at the door. Talea (knowing Kihrin only as a D'Mon) is frightful and runs to Thurvishar who comforts her before she tells him the card game is about to begin, and Kihrin joins them for it. Kihrin has a consistent winning hand at the card game, and Thurvishar grows vocally suspicious. Jarith (the narrator at the time), grows worried and tries to settle the issue, but Kihrin refuses to admit wrong or stop (Jarith thinks Kihrin is likely trying to force Thurvishar to bet Talea) and Thurvishar refused to back down. Thurvishar asks for several demonstrations of random card draws between Jarith and Kihrin, all of which Kihrin wins. Thurvishar suspects Kihrin is cheating by magic, and he should give back the money and leave. Kihrin refuses before Thurvishar calls him a whore's son, and Jarith asks if it will be by the usual terms.

*"'And what is the word of a whore's son worth, anyway?' Silence.  Jarith looked around the room at the sea of shocked and blinking faces, although a few were already beginning to smirk....  Jarith shook his head. 'The usual terms I assume?' Thurvishar stared at Jarith. 'Excuse me?'  'My apologies. Please allow me to explain my position more clearly.' Jarith slapped Thurvishar's face."*
At Thurvishar's confusion, Jarith slaps him and declares a duel. Kihrin tries to stop Jarith, who refuses to back down, before Darzin busts in demanding to know what happened. The next day almost all of the immediate family of D'Mons are at the cobblestone path around the Arena watching the duel. A large crowd has gathered, including High General Qoran Milligreest, and Kihrin bemoans that this never should have happened and asks if there is no way to stop it, Darzin states there is not. Kihrin watches as a Voice of the Council, Caerowan, begins the proceedings while he tries to take comfort that in a duel only swords are allowed not magic. Darzin explains that there are no laws in the Arena, and while promises can be made outside, nothing holds the parties to them inside, though Therin explains not keeping your word there was a quick way to loose respect. Darzin even admits he follows the agreements, usually. Thurvishar and Jarith enter the Arena and Jarith calls at him to summon a weapon (which Thurvishar had promised to do). Thurvishar says he has his weapon, as Jarith trips to the ground, because it will be Jarith himself. Jarith stands and advances, tripping again onto a weapon, injuring himself. As Jarith complains, Thurvishar blocks the sound in the Arena. Outsiders are no longer able to hear the conversation, but see the men come to an agreement and leave together.
Meanwhile Kihrin dashes through the crowd to the gate where he sees Jarith leave, but not looking defeated, and who announces the end. The High General, in a fury, states it is not over and Jarith is stationed to Stonegate Pass, dismissing him as a soldier. He then apologizes to Thurvishar, before speaking to Kihrin, requesting his family be left out of future politics. Kihrin consents and is dismissed, but disappears in the crowd before Galen can pull him back. Kihrin slips off to a private curtained booth in the Culling Fields Tavern where he confronts Thurvishar, admonishing him. Kihrin then accuses Thurvishar of cheating and making Kihrin win, hoping to spark a duel with Kihrin (which Thurvishar does not admit, nor deny). Kihrin asks who Thurvishar expected to fight, possibly Darzin, Thurvishar laughs it off. Kihrin asks why he hates 'his father' so, when Thurvishar answers he does not hate Kihrin's father at all as Kihrin's father was friends with Thurvishar's father. This causes Kihrin to pause, before reasking if Thurvishar hates Darzin, which Thurvishar says yes. (SPOILER: This is confirmation Darzin is not Kihrin's father.) He then tells Kihrin that because in the Arena there are no laws and sound can be prevented from escape, they could have had an interesting conversation.

*"'Why do you hate my father so much?'  Thurvishar paused, one hand on the curtains. 'I don't hate your father at all. I hold him in high regard. He was, after all, my father's closest friends.' 'But you just said-' Kihrin frowned. ... 'Wait. Do you hate Darzin D'mon?' 'Passionately,' Thurvishar answered."*
Later Kihrin is found hiding in the stables practicing on Valathea for the New Year's Ball (avoiding Darzin's hatred, Therin's annoyance at the volume, and Therin's ability to resend the order Kihrin play). He is interrupted by Scandal, the Fireblood Darzin had purchased with a (failed) dream to breed her, who seems to love Kihrin's playing, according to her groom Star. Kihrin tosses her an apple, asking what Firebloods are, causing Star to answer they are not like other horses (Thurvishar explains they are creations of the God-King who ruled Jorat). Kihrin then asks why she is named Scandal, to which Star answers because Kihrin called her that, and she likes it. When the horse and groom leave Miya appears, stating the High Lord has summoned Kihrin. Therin demands Kihrin answer how the duel made the family look, causing Kihrin to remind him it wasn't his fault.

*"Kihrin took a deep breath. 'That wasn't my fault. I didn't ask him to fight that duel for me.'  Therin leaned back in his chair and regarded the young man. 'I think you have me confused with someone who cares if it was your fault.'"*
When Kihrin does not agree that the duel did nothing but stain their reputation, Therin confines him to his rooms till the end of the New Year's Festival. In protest Kihrin tells all he knows about Dead Man, Thurvishar, and Darzin. Therin assumes he's lying at first, and explains how it could not be as Thurvishar would have to be younger than Kihrin, which he was not, and he looks like a D'Lorus. Kihrin continues to try and protest but Therin wants more than speculation, and at Kihrin's request he rescinds Kihrin's confinement. Kihrin asks that Therin tell Emperor Sandus, before asking also for more money to get the proof needed.
Kihrin then attends one of the street markets during the New Year's Festival, looking at jewelry with Galen (and custom ordering a necklace for Scandal), before the two slip their guards by going out the back of the merchant's tent. They are immediately ambushed by Faris and his gang, Kihrin throws a dagger (which hits harmlessly) and makes a run for it, but Galen stands his ground drawing his sword and injuring (possibly killing) several gang members. Kihrin returns to the fight throwing daggers before Faris takes off. Kihrin then pulls Galen into a massage tent to hide, and the two are separated. Kihrin is shocked to see Ola as his attendant, and comments on her lost weight. He briefly questions why she did not tell him the truth of his parentage, but she states it was for the best for him, which he denies is likely. She then offers him the chance to join her in leaving the Capital, which Kihrin agrees to, but only if he can bring Galen, and one more (likely Talea).
Several days later, at the next to penultimate night of the New Year Festival Balls the D'Mon's are hosting their masquerade. Kihrin, in a costume resembling a hawk (or really a chicken), prepares with Galen who is in a costume meant to represent the sun. Darzin, dressed as Thaena's hunter, steps in to tell them its time to go to the greeting line.

"*As they shuffled past their father, Darzin looked at Kihrin and shook his head. 'Remind me to have our tailor whipped,' he muttered. 'You look like a chicken.'*
The D'Mon's Blue Palace was highly decorated, showing off to all the other houses, as Kihrin stands in the greeting line. He then nearly chokes when he sees a girl dressed as a dragon with red eyes (believing it to be the girl from his vision from Xaltorath), and asks who she is. She teases him, and Kihrin realizes it is not her (it is Sheloran D'Talus), and Galen informs him she is the youngest daughter of High Lord Kallin D'Talus. The pair are interrupted when Therin tells Kihrin it is time for his performance. As everyone watched, Kihrin plays beautifully, so much so, even the Revelers applaud in admittance of skill. Afterwards he is greeted by Lady Miya, who says that though he left, Therin enjoyed the performance, and compliments the High General for the gift. The Voice Caerowan joins them and questions its history of the harp, then brings up Kihrin's hawk costume, tying it to the Hellwarrior prophecies. The High General and Lady Miya both dismiss the prophecies, but Caerowan persists bringing up several connections before Lady Miya's annoyance ends the encounter.

"'*Weird little man,' Kihrin said to Lady Miya. 'Why would he ask if I know what a gryphon is?' 'I do not know,' Lady Miya said, as they both watched the mane fade into the crowd. But Kihrin could tell she was lying."*
Later that evening, Kihrin is with Sheloran D'Talus on a tower spying on the Private Wing when he sees Caerowan enter the hall. He sends Sheloran to tell the guards of an intruder and goes to intercept the Voice. He finds them about to enter a Gate with Valathea his harp, and when called to, Caerowan calls Kihrin 'Your Majesty'. They escape through the Portal as a guard comes up, but the guard is there to tell Kihrin of the death of Alshena by poison. Galen, ordered to his rooms, is grieving when Kihrin arrives, saying he knew it was Darzin who killed her. Galen then confesses he does not like girls, and Kihrin tries to comfort him before inviting him to escape with him, to which Galen agrees.
Later Kihrin and Galen escape using Kihrin's invisibility magic, and head for the Standing Keg, where they meet with Thurvishar and Talea, and are served by Ola. Kihrin speaks to Talea directly, mentioning Morea. When Ola brings the drinks, Thurvishar does not drink, and encourages Talea not to, but is too late in the warning. Kihrin offers to buy Talea, but Thurvishar desires Valathea, the harp. Once Kihrin shares it was stolen, he desires the necklace Kihrin wears (the Stone of Shackles), even offering anti-scrying necklaces in return. When Kihrin hesitates Thurvishar threatens Galen, and Kihrin begins to take off the necklace, but gets dizzy. Galen collapses, and Kihrin accuses Ola of drugging the wine. She protests, but when Talea collapses, Thurvishar attacks, and Kihrin faints.

*"Kihrin's expression hardened. 'I can't do that-and how did you know-?' Thurvishar smiled 'Perhaps you mistake my meaning. This has stopped being a deal from which you can walk away.'*
When all is quiet, Talea, revealed to be Talon runs to Ola, dying, and desires to seek revenge. Knowing she can not, she morns, before returning to Kihrin, shifting to look like Faris. She speaks to Kihrin, saying it was time for him to go away to school. She removes the intaglio carved ruby ring before taking Kihrin down to the docks to be added to the cargo of a slave ship.

*"'Ducky, your father Surdyeh and I have been talking,...You know, he's the one who started all this...We've decided that this is for the best. I know it won't be pleasant, but sending one's child away to school never is....The gryphon must fly,'"*
(This is not in the story, but is told through dialog later.) Kihrin is then sold to a slave ship, *The Misery*, where he is forced to be a rowing galley slave under Captain Juval. As several months he attracts the wrong kind of attention for the second mate Delon, and lives through it due to the sea witch the Captain employed, Tyentso. Once, the Royal Navy stops the ship, looking for Kihrin, but when they inspect the galley, Kihrin is invisible (not intentional, but through luck). Angry at being tricked into the situation, Captain Juval beats Kihrin, demanding answers. When Kihrin refused to cooperate the Captain had Tyentso gaesh Kihrin (the demon was a succubus, though it is likely Xaltorath is involved). Once gaeshed Captain Juval sells Kihrin to the slave markets of Kishna-Farriga for a flat fee (not wanting to hang around to get a percentage).

### *The Ruin of Kings,* Part I (Kihrin's Story)

*"'I have found you now,' [Relos Var] told me in a whisper. 'I have seen the color of your soul.'  A dozen snappy comebacks thought about crossing my lips, but under that baleful stare they all huddled at the back of my throat."*
The Brotherhood then prepares to leave, revealing their ties to Thaena, Teraeth giving over his cloak to Kihrin, and Khaemezra healing Kihrin's infected wounds. They open a portal only to close it, and then enter a sewer through the false bottom of their carriage in order to hide from Relos Var. When they emerge they have illusions over them and buy passage aboard *The Misery*. In their cabin Kihrin questions what they want, only for Teraeth to command him to question Captain Juval about his weather witch, causing Kihrin to enter a gaesh loop and pass out from the pain. Instead of dying though, Kihrin wakes where Khaemezra, after stating she removed the gaesh's restrictions, confronts him about who gaeshed him and (after sending Teraeth off) explains to Kihrin the story of the star tears, her connection to Lady Miya (Khaemezra is her Grandmother), the Stone of Shackles, and what Relos Var seeks and why (Kihrin's destruction & there is a prophecy). At the offer to train him to face Var, Kihrin bitterly admits he has a god (Taja), but she has left him, causing Khaemezra to lecture him on what could have happened with different luck before leaving.

*"Training, Khaemezra had said. Maybe they would train me. Maybe not.  More than anything, I wondered how much of what I had just been told was the truth, and how much was a lie, and if I had any way to know the difference."*
On the deck of the ship Kihrin is called over by Teraeth to a hatch over the slave deck, where the vane lectures him on the legacy of the Quur Empire. When Kihrin defends himself, that he could do nothing for the slaves, Teraeth chides him.

*"'I can't do anything to free these people.'  'That's true if you believe it, but make no mistake - it is*  only  *true because you believe it.'"*
Teraeth then questions Kihrin about his time on *The Misery*, and particularly the cruelty of Captain Juval and Delon, offering to kill them for Kihrin. Kihrin warns him that the ship's witch, Tyentso would likely not appreciate that. Teraeth then asks Kihrin to show him around the ship, revealing he doubts they are out of danger from Relos Var. Later, Kihrin is distracted by a large group of whales behind the ship, but after the pair sees blood they realize the whales are being hunted.

*"'Are those whales? I've never seen whales before.'  'Oh those?' Teraeth looked over the side of the ship with a bored expression. 'Nothing but several dozen sixty-foot-long limbless blue elephants going for a swim. Pay them no mind.'  'I've never seen so many.'  'Apparently you've haven't seen any, so that's not saying much.' "*

Tyentso and Captain Juval arrive (she recognizes Kihrin) and she sends dolphins to the creature attacking the whales, admitting to the small group it is only a distraction to the Kraken. Khaemezra arrives and hints at why the kraken is there, causing Tyentso to realize it is after Kihrin. When she threatens to kill the kraken, Khaemezra stops her, as that would cause the summoner to know their location. Tyentso realizes they are dealing with Relos Var, a friend of her late husband. When she asks for help Khaemezra refuses stating it'll break the Concord (the Celestial Concord), but at the worst if the kraken kills Kihrin he can at least be returned again, versus being found by Relos Var and kept by demons for an eternity (which Kihrin finds particularly abhorrent). Teraeth then suggests they sail north through the Maw, causing Captain Juval to balk, but given reminders of the situation, he agrees.

*"'You*  brat*. What are you doing back on my ship?'  'Enjoying your fine hospitality, of course.' I grinned at him. 'Trust me when I say you've come out of this better than you would've if we hadn't come back on board. Then Tyentso would've killed the Daughter and you'd be facing Relos Var all alone. Oh, and not even able to say you don't know who I am, when he started asking the fun questions.'"*
The ship sails for three days and enters the Maw and its first fangs just as the kraken catches up. Kihrin questions Tyentso and Khaemezra who reveal the plan is to not only survive the Maw, and Desolation but also avoid waking the Old Man. Kihrin then questions Khaemezra if this was all by her design, including the death or liberation of the slaves aboard. She compliments his cleverness, but denies it, asking that Kihrin watch Teraeth's back. When he laments he has no tools to do so, she gives him a knife.

*"'You may not have mastered all the skills that are your birthright, but the ability to pass unnoticed is very much your own. I suggest you make that the key to your goals.' She pushed a dagger into my hands. 'And now you are a man with a knife. Woe to the Empire.'"*
While everyone is distracted Kihrin steals the keys to the slaves from Delon by pretending to bump into him.

*" I bumped again Captain Juval's first mate Delon while crossing the deck. Walking on a boat pitching like a velvet girl in bed was hard work. Hardly my fault if I had an attack of clumsiness right next to him right?  'Gods be damned boy!' Delon cursed at me.  'Sorry,' I said  'Fool boy. Go hang onto something!' Delon pulled himself up to the wheel deck. I grinned and bounced the keys to the slave hold in my hand as I watched him go. "*
He then unlocks the cages and the rowing galley slaves where he contemplates killing Mogoq (decides against killing a defenseless man) and is attacked by Delon (who is killed by a galley slave) as a giant tentacle latches on to the ship. Returning to the main deck he sees they are in the Throat of the Maw and the kraken has latched onto the ship in hopes to catch a ride. Questioning this to Teraeth who was steering the ship, Teraeth tells Kihrin to sing and wake the Old Man, that perhaps the Old Man would find it amusing. Kihrin begins to sing (Red, Yellow, Violet, Indigo/Four Brothers) as the ship is shot out of the Throat and towards a large island which opens its eye and is revealed to be the Old Man, a dragon. Kihrin continues to sing, either in the thrall of the dragon who sings with him or at command of Teraeth (who is attacked by Captain Juval and kills the Captain). Kihrin stops singing only when Teraeth tackles him to save him from a falling mast.

*"'Thaena!' Teraeth screamed. He tackled me as the mast fell right across where I'd been standing.  And since I'd never mastered the trick of singing with the wind knocked out of me, I stopped. The dragon didn't like that very much."*
The dragon angers and after killing the kraken, speaks that he wants the singer.

*"'Give him to me and I will save your craft.' 'Yeah, but will you promise to feed me every day and give me lots of care and attention?' I muttered. 'He likes you. That's good.' Teraeth said.  'Yeah, I feel really loved.'"*
As the ship begins to sink (Teraeth grabbing Tyentso from falling) Khaemezra speaks with the dragon. The dragon calls her Mother (to the suspicion of Kihrin) but they are interrupted when the ship cracks in half and sinks, dragging and drowning Kihrin with it. He is grabbed by the talon of a large black dragon (not the Old Man) with reflective eyes.

*"'I'm giving you a gift. You say it's a curse. I'll tell you something not one in a thousand would-be-heroes ever realize: it's both, and always will be. Good luck and bad luck. Pain and joy. They will always be there. It won't be better if you follow me. A hero who never had a bad thing happen to him isn't a hero - he's just spoiled.'"*
She then lectures him that she has not abandoned him, that he only needs a different attitude before stating that though he can walk away, that won't stop what has begun. She wears him down and wins him over by revealing Relos Var is the priest of the one being who gives her nightmares. As he asks what she wants, she tells him how the world is dying, how the sun is bloated and emitting radiation Tya's Veil can't stop, and how everyone will loose the war. Taja admits that Kihrin is her wild card, and hopes he'll find a solution as she will stay with him, before the wave above them finally falls and Kihrin wakes up. Kihrin wakes in the cliff caves of Ynisthana, dresses, and goes to the temple on the mountain where a Black Brotherhood ceremony (Maevanos) is taking place and where all of the people on the island seem to be. Kihrin hangs in the back as Khaemezra stands on the alter with Teraeth, having each hooded member of the brotherhood drink from a goblet. When nothing else happens, Teraeth grabs the knife, demands he do it (to Khaemezra's dissent), and begins to dance. It ends when he plunges the knife into his chest, causing Kihrin to curse, and attract attention. It is then he sees the people are thriss, causing him to take off into the jungle. Drakes and thriss chase Kihrin through the jungle before catching him, and handing him over to Kalindra, and the two discuss the Maevanos, who she is, and Teraeth before beginning to head back.

*"'If a petitioner is truly sorry, she Returns them. They are purified and made free of sin.' 'And if they're not really sorry?' 'Then they're dead.' 'What a shame. I was just starting to like Teraeth.' 'Really?' 'No, of course not. He's an ass.'"*
*"He said, 'Be careful. He looks harmless, but the monkey moves fast when he wants to.' I think Szzarus likes you.'"*
As they walk Kalindra answers Kihrin's questions about the island, his gaesh, Relos Var, and the fate of the crew of *The Misery* and takes him to some hot spring baths. She explains to him how the island is the goddess Thaena's sanctuary, and how the gods have avatars. When questioning what it all has to do with him, she reveals there is a prophecy, but when Kihrin presses she distracts him by getting into the pool. When she notices his attention and attempts to go further with him, he stops her by jumping into his own pool. Seeing her hurt feelings as she tells him he can say no, Kihrin admits he doesn't mean no, just doesn't know how to say yes, which brings her smile back. The two wash up and then return to gathering, which is well underway, with Kihrin being surprised by the blatant coupling and physical affection. Kalindra explains how the Maevanos breeds intoxicating feelings at being judged and found worthy. Remarking at this, Teraeth walks up and jumps into the conversation.

*"'We hold no fear of Death because we know her caress. Freed from that fear, we find joy in life and all it holds. '  'Then why do people view the Black Brotherhood with such dread?'  'Because' Teraeth said as he walked up behind us, 'nothing is more terrifying than a man who has no fear of Death, and is happy to die to if it means killing you.'"*
Teraeth then asks Kalindra how Kihrin was, much to Kihrin's embarrassment. He then asks to speak with Kihrin privately and Kihrin notes Teraeth has his gaesh. The two sit by the fire (Tereath handing over Kihrin's gaesh after being prompted) and Kihrin catches Teraeth thinking about Teraeth's wife in his past life, which Teraeth says he remembers. Changing the subject Teraeth then asks Kihrin why he didn't go for Kalindra, causing Kihrin to change the subject to ask about the prophecy.

*"I crossed my arms over my chest. 'You're changing the subject.' 'Damn right.'"*
Teraeth admits there are actually thousands of prophecies but most which tell of a single person, called the Hellwarrior which will conquer the Manol, end vane immortality, kill the Emperor, destroy the Empire, find Urthaenriel, and free the demons. He then explains to Kihrin, Relos Var is working for (SPOILER- this is debatable) Duke Kaen in Yor to be this person but the needed sword, Urthaenriel, is likely safely locked away in the Empire. He then makes a pass at Kihrin, which Kihrin turns down and starts to explain how it was Xaltorath but stops not wanting to have Teraeth feel he needs to fix it. Kihrin asks where Tyentso is, and heads to see her on the cliff of the beach. Kihrin joins her there with wine and the two discuss her possibly joining the Brotherhood, the vane's open affections, returning to Quur, Tyentso's banishment (only that she was charged with treason, but was actually responsible for saving them), women's nonexistent rights in the Empire, and the prophecies before they are interrupted by the arrival of the Old Man.

*"'Kihrin, run.'  I remembered Teraeth's caution: running just gave the Old Man something to chase.'I don't think-'  The dragon lunged. I ran."*
Tyentso defends Kihrin and protects him by building a twenty foot thick glass wall, which the dragon breaks just as Khaemezra arrives and freezes him. She tells him off before he flies away, and the three discuss when the dragon will grow bored with Kihrin (a decade or two). Tyentso then proclaims she wishes to join the Brotherhood and teach Kihrin magic. This prompts Khaemezra to ask what Kihrin wants to do, and he admits wanting to let Lady Miya know he is alive and learn swords.

*"'I want to leave,' I said, my voice rising. 'I know you do, but problems are opportunities with thorns attached,' she explained again. 'Let's use your stay here to better prepare you to tackle those problems successfully. What do you* want?*"*
Six months pass as Kihrin trains with the Black Brotherhood, and develops a relationship with Kalindra. One day he is training with Teraeth on the mountainside (where it almost grows too serious) when Kihrin sees a ship coming to the small harbor, and sees Kalindra heading towards the ship. When Kihrin tries to follow her, Teraeth tells him to let her go, that she is headed on a long term mission and that is was partly due to Khaemezra being worried Kalindra was falling for Kihrin. Kihrin accuses Teraeth of being jealous and when Kihrin tries to follow Teraeth tackles him and taunts him with a very specific description of the Jorat girl (Janel) Kihrin saw through Xaltorath. Angry and suspicious about how Teraeth knows her given he's only told two people he demands to know how Teraeth knows her.
After Teraeth refuses, Teraeth storms away. While he broods Kihrin sees the teacher of swords Khaemezra promised, leave the ship and recognizes him as the owner of the tavern, the Culling Fields. Doc asks to see Khaemezra but at hearing Teraeth's name he asks several questions about Teraeth and demands he be taken to see him. Kihrin, who also has some choice words for the mother and son agree. Kihrin takes him to Teraeth where Doc orders Teraeth to fetch his mother much to Teraeth's annoyance. They argue, but Teraeth goes while Kihrin watches Doc chug vane wine and then tries to get out of him how he knows Teraeth and why he is here. Doc reveals he is an uncle to Qoran Milligreest, and friends with Therin D'Mon and Emperor Sandus before being interrupted by Khaemezra. The two begin to have their own tense argument and dismiss both Kihrin and Teraeth.

*"'See? I'm helping.' 'You're an asshole.' 'I don't believe being one disqualifies me from doing the other.'*
Kihrin continues to refuse his help and voices his frustration at Teraeth, Khaemezra, and Doc. When he states Tyentso seems to be the only one he can trust, Teraeth admits he met the Jorat girl in the Afterlife during the Maevanos. Kihrin fears she's dead, but Teraeth states she could be like him and visiting. Kihrin questions if she is a demon, but Teraeth counters Gods can also walk the Afterlife, which Kihrin denies she is. Kihrin questions how Teraeth knew she was important, and while he states it could be due to destiny and souls being connected across reincarnations, he admits Kalindra told him as Kihrin talks in his sleep.

*"'I could wax poetic about reincarnation and destiny and how some souls are tied together through lifetimes. Alternatively, I could remind you that you've been spending your nights in bed with my ex-girlfriend and you talk in your sleep.' Teraeth held out his hands. 'Pick the answer the makes you more comfortable.' My gut twisted. 'Kalindra told you.' 'Kalindra told me,' he agreed."*
Teraeth then discusses how his mother is very military like with people and information, and to trust her and accept Doc's help. This causes Kihrin to question Teraeth's father, which Teraeth at first refuses to discuss, but pushed by Kihrin to reveal it because they're friends, Teraeth agrees. He tells Kihrin that usually the first part of a vane's name is their family name from their mother (ex: Khae-), but upon learning who his father is Teraeth took his father's (Ter-) to remind him of his father's sins. He then asks Kihrin who is the most famous vane with that name, prompting Kihrin to think of Terindel the Black, who was rumored to be demanding human sacrifices in Kirpis (which was a rumor created by Emperor Kandor). He then asks Kihrin about which instrument he was searching for, and Kihrin reveals a harp. Teraeth states that it might be possible to get one by using a gate (similar to the ones used in Quur but older) to Zherias. Kihrin, who did not know this is angered, but Teraeth admits the Old Man would just follow him.

*"My mouth dried. 'Someone should do something about him.' 'If you'd like to step up to the job, be my guest.'"*

Kihrin leaves to find a harp, refusing to answer Teraeth as to why he wants one. Having found a harp Kihrin heads to the beach where the Old Man has been building a new bed in the form of an off shore island.

*"So because I've never believed in being stupid in halves, I walked down to the beach to see the Old Man."*
Kihrin starts off asking if the dragon prefers the name Old Man, which causes the dragon to reveal his name and some of his history. Kihrin expresses the desire for a deal, which the dragon after offering several choices, agrees to. Kihrin states he will play one night, anything he wants, and the dragon must let him go. The dragon orders him to play (\*Note he does not agree). Kihrin wakes up to Teraeth touching his shoulder, and finds he has been playing all night, evidenced by bloody fingers. The Old Man commands him play and Kihrin continues. Teraeth states he'll leave to get his mother, but the dragon raises a wall of molten glass to block his route. He commands Kihrin play and Kihrin says this was not their deal, causing the dragon to anger and state he would never make deals with ants. The dragon then lunges for Teraeth, who falls to the side, but the dragon seems to eat something and flys away (SPOILER: This is caused by Doc). The wall crumbles revealing Doc, who checks on Teraeth (who has an injured arm) and sends him off to be healed. Doc then orders Kihrin to join him and train, and leads Kihrin to a cave (which Kihrin's surprised to see has a door). Kihrin sees bread and tea on a table and sits to eat while accusing Doc of not being vane, along with Khaemezra, which Doc corrects (Khaemezra is voramer), making Teraeth complicated. Kihrin questions why the vane are the only ones still immortal, which Doc admits is his fault. Kihrin feels dizzy and realizes Doc drugged his tea.

"*The edges of my vision blurred. I looked at the cup of tea. Neatly camouflaged among the rest of the tea leaves floated several slivers of riscoria weed. Wine was the best way to hide the taste, but strong tea was almost as good. 'I take back what I said about you being smarter than you look. A* smart *man would have been much more paranoid about eating or drinking something handed to you by a stranger.' Doc said. 'You-' But my intentions to call him bad names and hurt his feelings was short lived."*
Kihrin wakes in a tent to being called majesty by a Kirpis vane he calls Sir Rabbit due to his color. (SPOILER: Kihrin at this point is in an illusion created by Doc in the role of Kirpis King Terindel in the past when they tried and failed to invade the Manol to kill Manol Queen Khaevatz.) Sir Rabbit looks over a map, stating Queen Khaevatz is in the fortress and they intend to end her reign. Kihrin continues to struggle to figure out what is going on, and who he is meant to be, which Sir Rabbit interprets as worry for Kihrin's wife and daughter, Valathea and Valrashar, which he assures Kihrin are safe. He also assures Kihrin they are doing the right thing, which causes Kihrin to believe he is currently living the life of King Kelindel (SPOILER: which is not true). Kihrin glances at his reflection before they leave the tent, and sees an older looking version of himself (SPOILER: Which is in fact, his great-great grandfather's, Terindel's, reflection). Outside he discovers he's in the Manol Jungle where a battle is waging between the Kirpis and Manol (noting their incredibly different battle tactics). He hesitates to run across a bridge though, and is shot with a poisoned arrow, a fatal wound. He sees a bright flash, and finds himself back in time, right when he made his mistake. Kihrin progresses through the battle repeatedly restarting whenever he dies.
Kihrin and Sir Rabbit arrive at the Mother of Trees, and once inside find Khaevatz on the throne before being ambushed. Sir Rabbit is killed, leaving Kihrin and Khaevatz, who now speaks in a male voice and the illusion falls away to reveal a Manol vane (Mithrail - unnamed), who Kihrin mistakes at first for Teraeth as they look so similar. He notes the green gem around Mithrail's neck as the same around present day Doc's. Mithrail reveals that Khaevatz is away, meeting with (Terindel's brother- who is who Kihrin thought he was) Prince Kelindel, soon to be King and the two planned to figure out the Quur issue, burning the vane race if possible. Mithrail then attacks Kihrin, and when Kihrin dies, no flash of light and restart comes. When Kihrin wakes again, he is back in Doc's cave, on the floor, and Doc begins to criticize him.

*"'That was pathetic,' Doc said as he walked over. He didn't offer me a hand up. 'How many times did you die? Three dozen? Four? What was Darzin teaching you? The most efficient way to impale yourself on your enemy's sword?' I almost defended Darzin, but I stopped myself in time."*
Kihrin accuses him of drugging him and questions how he did that, and Doc names and points out his necklace as Chainbreaker, a stone like the Stone of Shackles, of which there are only eight total, each with their own powers. Kihrin insists he wants to talk about those rather than training, causing Doc to pull a sword and press it against Kihrin's throat to stress the importance of training. Kihrin bemoans it as pointless since he can't leave as the Old Man would kill him. Doc corrects him, and explains what the Stone of Shackles does at the death of its wearer: it switches the souls of the murder and wearer, sending the murder to be judged by Thaena and placing the soul of the wearer in the murder's body to continue on. Kihrin begins to piece together that Doc was King Terindel who was switched into Mithrail's (still unnamed) body, causing Doc to reveal his true physical identity as a Manol (Mithrail). He bemoans becoming what he hated and warns that one Cornerstone does not cancel out another. Kihrin asks about Valathea, and Doc reveals she was sent on the Traitor's Walk, then dismiss Kihrin. Kihrin then gets up to see the Old Man, but passes out exhausted.
Kihrin wakes to hear Khaemezra and Doc arguing over her treatment of Kihrin like a soldier. Doc voices how difficult it is to work with Kihrin as he looks like Pedron, at which Khaemezra wounds him by correcting him that Kihrin looks like King Terindel. Khaemezra leaves as Doc begs her not to make the same mistake twice. Doc then nudges Kihrin who asks about Valathea again. When he refuses, Kihrin presses, stating Doc wasn't here for Khaemezra but because Kihrin was descended from Terindel. Doc reveals he didn't know Valrashar lived, and that when he went to search for Valathea in the Korthaen Blight, it was too late. He reveals the rest of his history: that he found Elana Milligreest pregnant (SPOILER: Emperor Kandor's child) and Doc helped her, coming to be a guardian to many Milligreests as Nikali Milligreest, causing Kihrin to fan over his accomplishments. Doc then adopted Tauna and opened the Culling Field tavern. Doc admits to Kihrin he knew about Valrashar as soon as he saw Therin (a friend of Qoran whom he was looking after when he went to the Capital), but did not tell them. Kihrin then leaves to find the Old Man again.

*"'If you don't mind, I have something else I need to do.' Doc crossed his arms over his chest. 'I do mind. I played story time with you. Now comes practice.' 'Sorry for giving you the wrong impression, but I wasn't asking permission.' I grinned at him as I backpedaled toward the door."*
Kihrin goes to the Old Man again, resisting the command to sing, and stating he wants to talk. He asks about the Stone of Shackles, which the dragon lists several names of and its powers, but demands Kihrin sing. Kihrin states the dragon can not control him and he's leaving, which the dragon ignores and calls his 'garden' to show Kihrin the song. The black pillars which had appeared around the beach move, human shapes pressing their surface, and faces revealed begin to sing. Kihrin realizes the Old Man doesn't want to kill him but wants to turn him into this, trapped forever. He has an especially bad reaction to the idea of bring trapped in tight space, and runs.

*"'Tyentso glared at me. 'This isn't a fucking contest, you ass. I'm not going to drag out my sins to see who's graded higher on the awful person test.'"*
She then offers her hand, and upon taking it Kihrin finds he is in a decaying cave and possessed by Tyentso, unable to control his body. This causes him to panic and upon snapping, he is transported to Kharas Gulgoth. Tyensto demands to know what that was, but Kihrin denies he did it, then she denies it as well. She then recognizes where they are, and Kihrin begins to walk towards a main building with eight beams of light pouring into a crystal rod at the top. Inside he sees a dark being (Vol Karoth) and notices he opens his eyes. Feeling pulled to the being, he demands Tyentso possess him and get him away, which she does. On the outskirts of the city she releases him slightly, where, after being sick, she realizes who that was, remembering how her husband wanted to use him. At the memory Kihrin sees a mental image of her husband Gadrith, and recognizes him as Dead Man, informing Tyentso he's still alive.
Then Kihrin notices a bas-relief showing various scenes (SPOILER: Showing the creation of the Gods, Murder of S'arric, Creation of Vol Karoth and dragons). At the sound of drums though, the pair realize the morgage know they're here. Kihrin hides with his invisibility spell as they find where he was sick, and a female sorceress morgage arrives. At the distractions of a dragon (colored rainbow overlaying white) Kihrin runs, revealing his location through sound and smell. Kihrin gives Tyentso permission to help and as she takes over Kihrin's invisibility ends and she casts a spell (teaching Kihrin).

*"Tyentso chanted something long and unpronounceable, but I felt my mind shift as she cast her spell, felt what she did. It was more effective magic lesson in under two seconds than I'd ever had before in my life."*
Kihrin is hit by a spear in his right thigh, which Tyentso, after creating a barrier of wind and fire, attempts to remove and cauterize. Kihrin attempts to limp invisibility away after she heals him as much as she can before the wards covering the walls net around them and Relos Var appears.

*"A voice from inside the smoke said, 'You're a long way from home little brother.'...  The man who stepped out of the smoke was Relos Var."*
Before Kihrin can question the phrase, Relos Var calls to Raveri and pulls her from inside Kihrin and prevents their rejoining. He confirms that Gadrith is alive and that Gadrith is Raveri's father as well. Relos then offers them to join him and denies wanting to kill Kihrin before the group is forced to confront the morgage. The morgage refuse to let them go, and Relos Var bemoans that they will not let it go that one experiment went wrong. Trying to find escape, Kihrin prays to Taja, but is stopped by Relos Var, and he is stopped by Taja, Thaena, and Tya. Kihrin is shocked to see Tya resembles the girl from his visions (Janel). They nullify the wards, and call Relos Var's dare to challenge him (even his possible bluff about being backed up by eight more). Relos accuses them of cruelty for bringing Kihrin back, but the Three Sisters name him the enemy. Kihrin interrupts to ask about the figure in the middle of the city, and reveals it opened its eyes.

*"'I think it is important,' I said. 'He opened his eyes.' Everything stopped.  Everyone stopped. Even Relos Var stared, blank faced."*
The morgage sorceresses confirms this, and Relos Var accusses the Sisters of keeping things from Kihrin, stating if Kihrin wanted answers Relos would provide them, turns his back (giving an opening for Kihrin to throw a killing knife, which he resists), before leaving. Tyentso questions who Kihrin is, before the goddesses prepare to leave, and Taja transports them back the cave, where Tyentso awakes. There is celebration, but Kihrin does not partake. When Khaemezra checks on him he questions how she, and the Eight were created. Khaemezra reveals Relos Var tied the Eight to forces of the universe, but Kihrin angers her with accusations of being a false God. Khaemezra reveals a hot temper, and reveals the details of the job assigned to the Eight, questioning if Kihrin would accept, which he does, with the same words he accepted the job with last time.

*"'You will never be able to put aside you burden, hand it off to someone else, and go back to a civilian life. Would you volunteer for* that*?' Something made me take the question seriously. I had the weird, itchy feeling she wasn't really asking me hypothetically. I bit my lip. 'I think I might. I... yes. If I knew what I was getting into. If it was my choice.' Thaena nodded and looked away. She mumbled something. 'What was that?'  She turned back to me. 'I said: that's what you said the last time, too.'"*
Kihrin questions what she is suggesting, and Thaena states that none of the Eight have ever been killed as their force must also be destroyed, however, she reveals that there is one, S'arric, who is vague, and who was the figure Kihrin met in Kharas Gulgoth, named Vol Karoth. Kihrin asks why he transported there, and Thaena states again she has never lied to Kihrin, and begins to explain the prophecies, stating the Eight were in a competition with Relos Var to figure them out. Khaemezra then takes off Kihrin's gaesh from behind him, while musing that she is indeed not telling Kihrin everything, and that it was his own doing which transported him to Kharas Gulgoth. Kihrin tries to face the truth that he was S'arric and therefore has a connection to Vol Karoth, but moves the conversation, asking why S'arric was chosen for the ritual that created Vol Karoth. Khaemezra tries to put him off, and Kihrin remembers being called little brother, connecting that he is indeed S'arric, and Relos Var is/was his brother.

*"She much have felt it when my whole body went tense. 'He called you brother, didn't he?' 'And you weren't going to say anything, were you?' I pulled away from her, thumped the reed mattress with my fist as I turned around. 'See? This is why we have trust issues.'"*
Khaemezra, holding both Kihrin's gaesh and the star tears, laments Relos did more than kill Kihrin, and explains that Relos changed S'arric's body, allowing him to feed on energy from others, which lead him to devore each of the Eight. S'arric was still trapped in the body, but imprisoned, Kihrin felt it to be true. He asks who freed him, and Khaemezra reveals it was Elana Milligreest, and adds that both she and Kihrin volunteered to return again to fight once more. Kihrin then questions if Khaemezra had intended to Return Tyentso this whole time, which she admits she did and she admits she does indeed lie. Then Khaemezra moves Kihrin's soul from the hawk medallion to the star tears, and Kihrin asks if she can heal it permanently, causing her to reveal it can only be healed when he dies (which she dares not allow due to the threat of Xaltorath claiming Kihrin's soul). She then quotes a piece of prophecy, revealing its meaning to be what she has just done, before sending Kihrin away.

*"'I do not make the rules, sadly. I never have. Long before I was born, people have died, gone to the other side, and eventually been reborn. It is the cycle. I am simply one of the soldiers standing watch at the walls., and nothing more.'"*
Later, after a wild night of drinking but with everyone waking up in their own cloths, Kihrin remembers Gadrith while with Teraeth, Tyentso, and Doc. As Doc brings in breakfast and the group begin to eat, they discuss Gadrith and Kihrin remembers the night before, especially Teraeth discussing the brilliance of Emperor Kandor's military strategy in Jorat.

*"'Pathetic,' Doc said, although the smile on his face betrayed his amusement. 'I would expect a D'Mon to be better at handling their liquor. Don't they have a spell for this?' 'Six months,' I protested. ' I was only at the Blue Palace for six months.'"*
The Tyentso informs everyone that Gadrith is indeed still alive, and Kihrin fills the group in about Dead Man, and his desire for the Stone of Shackles. At accusations of incest Tyentso explains her marriage to Gadrith was a trade of revenges, wherein her ghost desired revenge on Gadrith. In attempting to get close enough to kill him, Cedric orders Tyentso to marry him and she was unable to refuse. She then informs them that his witch gift is to rip apart someone's upper soul from their lower soul, and is likely how he lived forever, by feeding off the lower souls of others. Kihrin believes that is why Gadrith is after the soul switching Stone of Shackles, for a new body, but Teraeth counters that was not possible. In his supporting explanation Doc reveals that Queen Khaeriel was soul switched into Lady Miya, her killer, which shocks Kihrin.

*"'Wait. Khaeriel? You're saying that Miya is Queen Khaeriel?'  Doc sighed. 'Use that brain. I know it hurts, but try' Teraeth snickered. I scowled. 'I hate you both.'"*
Teraeth reveals that the Stone does not transfer magical skill, causing Doc to taunt him with who he was in his past life.

*"Teraeth set his elbows on the table, cup in hand. 'She would be extremely vulnerable just after the transfer. Magic is physical as much as spiritual. A new body means you have to learn spells all over again.' Doc gave him a nasty grin. 'You would know.' Teraeth stared at him with narrowed eyes. 'That's good, coming from you.' 'I get why Doc has experience with this.' I said, 'by why do you, Teraeth? You've never owned the Stone of Shackles, have you?' Teraeth didn't answer. 'Ask him who he was in his past life,' Doc said cheerfully. 'Go on. Ask him.'"*
Tyentso interrupts before it is revealed and Kihrin continues to question that his mother is/was the vane Queen.

*"'Vane politics gets complicated. You might want to draw up a chart.' 'Damn, Doc,' Tyentso said. 'Do you enjoy stealing sweets from little kids too? Back off. He's gone through a lot in the last day.' I raised a hand. 'I'm fine, Ty.' 'Scamp, you're not fine. Nobody gets blackout drunk like that before they're fine. I should know. I drank more than you did because I am not fine.'"*
The group ponder what to do next, and Teraeth reveals they don't have to do anything as Darzin and Gadrith had already tried to summon Xaltorath, but the demon was unable to get close to the island. Bemoaning being trapped, Kihrin realizes Teraeth is baiting him, and so questions what Gadrith really desires. Tyentso is the first to realize that Gadrith wants to fulfill the prophecies that foretell the destruction the of the Capital, likely by way of a Hellmarch and a new Emperor. Kihrin then suggests they bait Gadrith out into the open for the Emperor to take care of. When the problem of the Old Man is brought up, Kihrin reveals he has a plan.

As Kihrin ran, in a series of illusions, Teraeth appears to tackle Kihrin and accidentally shoving him into a lava filled crevice, and the illusionary Teraeth (with Kihrin's soul) runs into a cloud of ash, likely to his death. The real Kihrin and Teraeth lay hidden, and as the Old Man is distracting with attempting to save the illusionary Teraeth they aim to make their escape to the Temple of Ynis. Tyentso joins them, but the pair are threatened by the still erupting volcano. However, working together, with Kihrin using his musical spell, they make open a chasm to divert the ash flow, and escape to the temple.
The group prepare to leave for the Capital from a harbor in Zherais where the brotherhood relocated before the eruption. Kihrin is confronted by Teraeth, who questions why Kihrin feels the need to do this when the Empire is filled with men such as Darzin and Gadrith.

*"He leaned closer, resting his elbows on his knees. 'Your problem isn't that you're stupid. You're not stupid. But you think that evil is like the Old Man, like Relos Var, like that think sleeping in the middle of Kharas Golgoth. You think evil is something you can just slay.' I scoffed. 'Should I point out that none of those are 'something I can just slay'?' 'Oh, but you would try, wouldn't you? Except real evil isn't a demon or a rogue wizard. Real evil is an empire like Quur, a society that feeds on its poor and its oppressed like a mother eating her own children. Demons and monsters are obvious; we'll always band together to fight them off. But real evil, insidious evil, is what lets us just walk away from another person's pain and say, well, that's none of my business.'"*

Teraeth offers that someone else could handle the issue, but Kihrin refuses to leave Thurvishar, Talea, Galen, or his family. When Teraeth questions why Thurvishar, Kihrin hypothesizes that Thurvishar is gaeshed by Gadrith. When pushed he then says he is going back to save them because he can, causing Teraeth to laugh. Kihrin almost walks off, but explains that it is what Kihrin had said when he volunteered to be returned.

*"'So why am I doing this?* Because I can.*' Teraeth blinked at my vehemence, and then began to laugh. ... 'Did Khaemezra or Doc ever tell you who I used to be? In my past life?' ... ' I started to remember right around puberty. All of it. Not just my last past life either. I also remember being in the Land of Peace.' Teraeth gave me a sideways glance. 'It's nice.' ... 'So naturally I remember when the Eight Immortals showed up and asked for volunteers: four souls willing to help fulfill the prophecies. But there was a price. They had to be willing to leave paradise, to be reborn to all the pain, hardship, and suffering of the living world. And do you know who the first volunteer was? Without a second's hesitation?' 'You?' He chuckled. 'No. You.' ... 'One of them asked you why you wanted to go back and you said-' He gestured towards me, inviting me to finish the sentence.  My throat tried to close on me, but I still managed the words. 'Because I can.'"*
Teraeth reveals that Kihrin in the Afterlife had never said a word before volunteering, and then when he did, Teraeth's past wife volunteered as well, causing Teraeth to volunteer. Tyentso interrupts them, and calls them to the prepared ship.

Kihrin and the others aboard a ship enters Calay Harbor, where Kihrin reviews the news: D'Mon House was now ranked 6th, Lady Miya was alive, and Jarith was in town. Kihrin was also going back in disguise as Darzin was having the docks watched. As they arrive, Kihrin realizes he had been homesick for the Capital. Customs agents inspect the passengers, and Kihrin, dressed as a witchhunter (with documents taken from a real one who was actually a brotherhood member), was given clearance and enters a black coach with Teraeth. Tyentso also entered a coach and was to head to the Culling Fields tavern to keep watch. Kihrin changes as they ride and exits to meet Jarith while Teraeth goes on to meet up with Tyentso.
Jarith is ecstatic to see Kihrin at takes him to his office, leaves momentarily to fetch tea (while Kihrin looks over his papers on dragons and a Black Knight), before Jarith returns. Jarith has been building a fantastic career, but the subject moves on, and Kihrin reveals he wishes Jarith to bring in for questioning Thurvishar D'Lorus. Kihrin fills Jarith in using letters from Raveri D'Lorus / Tyentso who denied Continuance happened because Qoran Milligreest helped her escape (as they were lovers).

*"Jarith looked incredulous. 'What idiot would have been foolish enough to jeopardize their entire career by helping a convicted traitor escape justice?'  I coughed. 'That would be your father.'"*
Kihrin states this is just a symptom of a bigger issue, while burning the first letter, saying blackmail was not his goal, just resolution. He then produces a second letter from Thaena who ways Gadrith D'Lorus never made it past the Second Veil, and finally a third letter from Nikali Milligreest / Doc, confirming the authenticity of the letters. Jarith still questions Kihrin, but after reading Doc's letter he agrees to pull Thurvishar in for questioning.
Kihrin then heads for the Culling Fields invisibly, where he finds Teraeth flirting with Tauna, Tyentso monitoring heat signatures with glasses of water, and the Emperor, who suggests instead of travelling with Kihrin they use the intaglio carved ruby rings which allow the Emperor to communicate with others across vast distances. Kihrin takes the ring, but promises he and the Emperor need to discuss them when this is over. Kihrin then journeys to the Blue Palace, with Teraeth stalking him. Lady Miya runs and hugs him, while Therin greets him and invites him to his office but they're interrupted by Darzin. Kihrin and Darzin exchange heated reunion before they draw swords to fight, stopped by Lady Miya due to her gaesh.

*"'Careful there, son. Keep up that expression and I'll think you don't love me anymore.' 'Anymore? That would imply I did once. Why would I start now?' I placed my hand on my sword hilt."*
Darzin is prepared to continue, but Therin ends it. Darzin moves to leave, and Kihrin attempts to stall him taunting him with Kihrin's real parentage and Gadrith. Darzin almost takes the bait, then runs, before Kihrin explains briefly to Therin and Miya that Gadrith was in fact alive and there was a mimic loose. Kihrin asks after suspicious people, hoping to find Talon, and Lady Miya suggests Ola. Kihrin then sends Lady Miya to deliver a letter to Aunt Tishar, before he and Therin argue, resulting in Kihrin being slapped when he asked if he was born due to rape. Kihrin then leaves alone to find Talon.
When Kihrin goes to his old room and opens the padlock he finds it empty, and is interrupted from further search by Galen, who is very bitter about Kihrin's disappearance. The two argue before they're interrupted by a scream, then several screams, and Kihrin panics as it is far too early for this stage of his plan. He urges Galen to run, but Gadrith prevents their escape by melting the floor around their feet. As Kihrin and Galen are taken to join the entire family in the main ballroom Thurvishar reduces Kihrin's magical ability by creating talismans and refusing to answer Kihrin's taunting, baiting questions. Gadrith makes a talismen of Bavrin D'Mon, killing Devyeh D'Mon as he tried to stop them. Thurvishar is ordered to silence the grieving cries of the family. Gadrith then makes a talisman out of Master Lorgrin, before doing the same Aunt Tishar. When Kihrin asks what Gadrith wants he answers, the Stone of Shackles.

 *"'I want that,' Gadrith agreed. 'For fuck's sake,' Galen cried out. 'If that's what he wants, give it to him!' 'Your son is wise,' Gadrith complimented Darzin. Darzin's mouth twisted into the ghost of a smile. 'Thank you.' 'Him next.' Gadrith ordered his undead to take Galen. Darzin's smile faded."*
Gadrith orders Galen to be next but Darzin moves to stop him and Kihrin bluffs that he does not care for Galen or any of the D'Mons. When he mention the Emperor is on his way, Gadrith merely thanks Kihrin. He then orders Thurvishar to reveal who Kihrin cared for, and Thurvishar is forced to answer by the gaesh: Lady Miya. At that Kihrin relents, and gives Gadrith the Stone of Shackles, before he orders his people to bring Kihrin and leave the others.
Kihrin is then taken by Thurvishar (with Talon joining) to Shadrag Gor. Thurvishar notices someone set his wards, but had left, before revealing Kihrin was thinking of running (and therefore that he could read thoughts or moods). He then comments that Shadrag Gor is outside of time (and why Thurvishar is older than he should be as Cimillion) before threatening Talon not to harm Kihrin, before leaving. Over the course of the three weeks Kihrin is imprisoned Talon and Kihrin share the story of Kihrin life by passing back and forth a recording rock, which is how the book thus far had been written.

### *The Ruin of Kings*, Part II

*"'\*\*\*SO I SEE. AND YOU HARE HERE READY TO SACRIFICE YOUR YOUNGER BROTHER, WHOSE DEATH WILL NOT BE MUCH SACRIFICE.\*\*\* Thurvishar and Gadrith gave each other uneasy looks. 'Nothing in your call says it has to be someone I'll miss,' Darzin protested."*
Xaltorath teases Kihrin with a shapeshifted parody of Tya, then of Kihrin's Jorat girl (Janel), and when he refuses her she accepts him if they are to give him all of Kihrin, heart and soul. Darzin agrees and stabs Kihrin the chest. The scene cuts to docks in the Capital where Kame, a prostitute, is attacked by Xaltorath in the beginning of a Hellmarch.

*"\*\*\*YOU'RE RIGHT: HE'S PERFECT. GIVE ME ALL OF HIM, HEART AND SOUL, AND I WILL DO ALL YOU ASK OF ME.\*\*\* Darzin smiled. 'With pleasure.' He grabbed the knife, and without prelude brought it down hard on Kihrin's chest."*

(The book then cuts between Kihrin and on going events with others. The others face their own challenges: Teraeth realizes too late Gadrith is using Gates and Tyentso arrives at the Blue Palace to run into Talon, who then fights Teraeth with Teraeth seeming to have stopped her with a stake. Tyentso and Teraeth find the D'Mon's who catch up before finding Kihrin dead. They take Kihrin to the Cathedral of Thaena in hopes Kihrin will be returned. Meanwhile Gadrith has Sandus kill him, switching their souls and Qoran meets up with the others as he comes to ask for Jarith to be Returned. Tyentso, tired of waiting and hearing the news of Gadrith, goes to kill him herself.)
Kihrin, not remembering who he was only that he has a whole where his heart should be, is in the Afterlife running from a pack of horse riding demons and demon hounds when he is cornered at a lake of black. Hiding in a tree he watches as they leave and climbs down only to be found by another rider. They disturb the water as Kihrin grabs the spear, feeling its warmth and familiarity, before a dragon injures the rider. Kihrin spears the dragon through the mouth as it bites him, gaining from it all his memories (from every life). As the dragon tries to eat him Kihrin kills him with light, before moving to morn the demon he sees is his Jorat girl (Janel) whom he calls Elana.

*"'He* knew *her, knew her even if her appearance had changed with her rebirth, even if she no longer looked like the women who had once saved him from a fate much worse than death. He knew in that moment what a sick joke Xaltorath had played on him. 'Elana...' He put his head in his hands and wept."*
Kihrin heals his wounds and Janel / Elana's by spliting the heart of the dragon he killed. When the demons return and move to kill Janel Kihrin questions them.

*Kihrin stepped out from his hiding space and whistled to draw their attention. He spun the gold spear in his right hand with practiced ease. 'Why are you doing that, buck-head? She's one of yours, isn't she?' The horned demon turned, surprised and pleased. \*\*So quaint. You think that all our kind are friends? The strong prey on the weak. It is the only law.\*\* 'Really?' Kihrin chuckled. 'That's...stupid. Impressively stupid. I know demons aren't smart, but no wonder you lost the last war.'"*
Kihrin taunts them and the move to capture him just as Janel wakes and the two kill most of the demons, though one escapes. She then questions Kihrin, surprised to find he knows the spears name, Khoreval, because he named her, shocking her. He reveals how he healed her and labels her a demon which does not disagree with before asking to be taken to the Chasm. She shows suspicion but Kihrin persists, promising her anything, and she mounts her horse, offering to take him to shelter for an explanation.
The ride to an old border fort, where Kihrin is shocked to see the borders growing, and Janel explains she crosses the Veil as she sleeps. Janel tells him to stop calling her Elana (though he protests as that is the name he knew her by), and explains in more detail how he healed Janel and himself which was only possible as reality is malleable in the Afterlife. Janel is angry that this might give her crossing Veil abilities away to her enemies, then explodes in anger when Kihrin mentions Xaltorath. He vanishes to invisibility and reappears holding the spear in defense. He explains his history with Xaltorath in his life as Kihrin.

*"Confusion muffled the rest of her rage. 'Me? She showed you* me? *Why?' Kihrin bit his lower lip. 'I don't know. So I would trust you? So I would never trust you? I think he's trying to fulfill a prophecy, but I don't know if the point was to bring us together or to keep us apart.' She rolled her eyes. 'I am sick to death of prophecies.' 'Oh, we're agreed on that.'"*
They discuss Xaltorath, Relos Var, and Gadrith, and Kihrin asserts he must stop them. Janel asks who Elana was, and Kihrin states she wasn't a wife or lover for him, but when Janel pushes he explains she friend him from being soul trapped. Janel tells him to let Elana go, as that person does not exist in her and she is not about to bend to him for it. Kihrin wonders if her adverse reaction was according to Xaltorath's plan before the two prepare to leave. Janel shares her name with Kihrin before mounting Janel's horse and jumping the fire which acts as a teleportation to the Chasm.

*"As he took her hand, she said, 'My name is Janel Theranon.' He settled in behind her, handing the spear back to her. 'Thank you. I only wish I would remember.' 'Remember?' 'I won't remember when I wake. Neither of us will.' She started to say something, perhaps in denial, but instead she shook her head."*
They land by the Chasm which is a war zone of demons. Janel orders Kihrin to cross the Chasm on a small bridge which only he can see. He wants her to come with him, but she refuses, stating she was a demon and could not see it, and rushing into battle. He joins her, feeling the familiarity of the fight. Janel sees him, and he offers to show her the way as he can see the bridge and promises her she will be alright. They both run to the bridge together.
Kihrin awakes in the non-Afterlife with Teraeth, and seems saddened he does not remember what happened to him in the Afterlife. Teraeth catches Kihrin up on the disasters which have befallen them so far, and informs him Kihrin's parents and the High General had left to confront Xaltorath.

*"Kihrin blinked. 'Damn it, we had a plan.' 'Which worked beautifully right up until the point where it didn't.' Teraeth sighed."*
Kihrin continues to questions, making Teraeth realize that Tyentso likely won't win the duel, before Kihrin sees Jarith's corpse, and in his memory takes his Khorveshan blade. Kihrin tells Teraeth its time to go, but stumbles as he tries to leave, and leans on Teraeth for support. The pair encounter Darzin and Thurvishar outside of the Arena where Gadrith and Tyentso still battle (he had yet to kill her). Kihrin taunts Darzin into a fight, and Darzin is surprised by Kihrin skill. When Thurvishar announces Tyentso's death in regret, chaos reigns. Darzin attacks Kihrin but is cut badly by Kihrin, then beheaded before he can heal himself. Teraeth attacks Thurvishar who flings him back and wraps roots of an old tree around him. Kihrin confronts Thurvishar, that he is gaeshed and older due to Shadrag Gor. Gadrith appears and they discuss Tyentso's death.

*"' I assume you killed Tyentso,' Kihrin said, his expression grim. Gadrith raised an eyebrow. 'You may need to be more specific, young man.' 'Raveri,' Kihrin corrected. 'Your wife.' 'Ah!' Gadrith smiled again. 'Yes. She acquitted herself admirably. I almost regret I had to slay her.' 'Really?' Thurvishar asked, surprise coloring his voice. 'No. I was being polite.'"*
Thurvishar asks if Gadrith wishes for him to 'take care' of these two, to which Gadrith consents (allowing space for Thurvishar to not kill Kihrin and Teraeth). Kihrin realizes then that Gadrith's end goal is robbery.

*"'I had this all wrong, didn't I? We all had this wrong. You weren't trying to become Emperor. You could have been Emperor years ago. You could have been Emperor whenever you wanted, but you didn't care about that crown until you realized it was the only way you could step foot inside those ruins- without the Empire's magic blasting you to pieces. This isn't a coup...it's a...it's..." Kihrin laughed. 'This is a* burglary.' *'Yes,' Gadrith agreed in a flat, dry tone. He looked over at his 'son.' 'He's smarter than his brother.'"*
As he leaves Gadrith changes Thurvishar's orders to kill Kihrin and Teraeth dead. Thurvishar stalls as much as the command will allow, and expresses to Kihrin his regret when Kihrin tells him he has a choice. As Thurvishar moves to create a spell to kill Kihrin, Kihrin picks up a rusted sword. The spell Thurvishar throws is deflected and the sword turns brilliant and beautiful, singing to Kihrin.

*"You unbelievably lucky bastard,' Thurvishar told him, his voice tinged with awe. Kihrin focused enough through the singing to respond. 'Yes,' he told the wizard. 'So I am.'"*
Thurvishar calls Gadrith back as he begins to enter a gaesh pain as he can not kill Kihrin while Kihrin holds the sword. Gadrith sees the sword and is outraged.

*"'Yeah, kick in the crotch, isn't it? You've spent thirty years chasing something that anyone could have picked up,' Kihrin agreed, 'at any duel fought in the Arena. It was tangled in some roots, out in the open, lying in plain sight.' Kihrin smiled in a wicked way. 'You have enough toys. You don't get to keep this one.'"*
Gadrith roars in anger but Kihrin blocks his spells. He steps up and drives the sword through the Stone of Shackles and Gadrith, destroying the Stone and killing Gadrith without switching his soul. A blast blows everyone out of the Arena as it resets for the choosing of a new Emperor.
(Meanwhile, Therin and Lady Miya return to the Blue Palace where Therin tells Galen he must run to their summer palace in the Kirpis. Galen asks about Darzin, but Therin disowns Darzin and names Galen Lord Heir. Lady Miya interrupts him, stating her gaesh is gone, after her shock, when Galen moves to support her, she corrects her name and kills Galen. The D'Mon's panic, but Lady Miya locks them in the room. Lady Miya reveals herself to Therin as Khaeriel, and after they fight, argue over Therin's lineage, she paralyzes him. Then she kills every other D'Mon in the room before leaving with Therin through a portal.)
Kihrin runs to Thurvishar but is shocked to see the gaesh pain gone, and halfway apologizes for killing Thurvishar's father. Kihrin then moves to help an unconscious Teraeth, but as he holds the sword (Urthaenriel) he can't cast the magic to awaken him, so Thruvishar does so. Thurvishar then states that Kihrin must leave immediately, for Kihrin had killed the Emperor, and the Stone of Shackles was destroyed releasing the demons from their bonds.

*"'It gets worse,'Thurvishar said then. 'Really?' Kihrin said. 'Because I already want to thrown up.'"*
Thurvishar offers that he or Teraeth take the sword and none of them will reveal how the Emperor died. However when Teraeth moves to take Urthaenriel, Kihrin levels the sword at him, tearing up but unable to stop himself. Teraeth backs away remembering the song of the sword. Kihrin then creates a plan that Teraeth will leave by ship and he will leave by land. He hands an intaglio carved ruby ring to Thurvishar from Sandus's body before as he promises not to out Thurvishar as a non-D'Lorus. Kihrin then leaves the city by Gate with Scandal, and Star for Jorat.
(Meanwhile Tyentso is Returned in the Arena and is able to grab the crown and scepter and becomes Empress.)

## Characters

* Barus
* (Blue Dress vane)
* Butterbelly
* Caerowan
* (Daffodil hair vane)
* D'Lorus, Cedric
* D'Lorus, Gadrith ( Dead Man, the Twisted )
* D'Lorus, Raveri ( Tyentso )
* D'Lorus, Thurvishar ( Cimillion )
* D'Erinwa, Morvos
* D'Mon, Alshena (D'Aramarin)
* D'Mon, Bavrin
* D'Mon, Darzin
* D'Mon, Devyeh
* D'Mon, Galen
* D'Mon, Kihrin
* D'Mon, Therin
* D'Mon, Tishar
* D'Talus, Kallin
* D'Talus, Sheloran
* Delon
* Dethic
* Dovis
* Faris
* Humthra
* Hosun
* Janel Theranon
* Juval ( Captain Juval )
* Kalindra
* Kame
* Kerris
* Khaeriel
* Kradnith
* Lonorin
* Lorgrin (Master Lorgrin)
* Lyrilyn
* Magoq
* Merit
* Morea
* Milligreest, Eledore
* Milligreest, Jarith
* Milligreest, Tauna
* Milligreest, Qoran
* Mithrail
* Mivoli ( Master Mivoli )
* Miyathreall ( Lady Miya )
* Nathera, Ola
* Norrano
* (Sir Rabbit - vanè)
* Relos Var
* Roarin
* Sandus ( Emperor Sandus )
* Scandal ( Hamarratus )
* Sironno
* Sharanakal ( Old Man )
* Star ( Palomarn )
* Surdyeh
* Szzarus
* Taja
* Talea
* Talon
* Teraeth
* Terindel ( Doc / Nikali Milligreest)
* Thaena ( Khaemezra )
* Theranon, Janel
* Tya ( Irisia )
* Valrazi
* Venaragi
* (Violet hair Kirpis vane)
* Vol Karoth
* Xalome
* Xaltorath

* Attuleema, Landril
* Baelosh
* Bertok
* Caless
* Camarinith (Glossary)
* D'Aramarin, Dorman
* D'Erinwa, Phaellen
* D'Evelin, Pharoes
* D'Laakar, Kavik
* D'Mon, Chayle
* D'Mon, Dalos
* D'Mon, Devios
* D'Mon, Doniran
* D'Mon, Dorian
* D'Mon, Gerisea
* D'Mon, Kesian
* D'Mon, Leanna
* D'Mon, Nora
* D'Mon, Pedron
* D'Mon, Saera
* D'Mon, Sarin
* D'Mon, Saric
* D'Mon, Sedric
* D'Mon, Tishenya (Daughter of Therin)
* D'Mon, Tishenya (Daughter of Darzin)
* D'Mon, Thallis
* D'Mon, Wivrin
* D'Talus, Ibatan
* Daakis (Glossary)
* Dana
* Dyana
* Galava
* Gendal ( Emperor Gendal )
* Ghaurus
* Grizzst
* Hellwarrior
* Jayanyu
* Jirya
* Kandor ( Emperor Kandor )
* Kaen, Azhen ( Duke Kaen of Yor )
* Kelanis
* Kelindel
* Kelyen
* Khaevatz
* Khored ( Mithros )
* Khorsal
* Laaka
* Lesver
* Lora, Darvok Hin
* Mataris ( Baron Mataris )
* Milligreest, Elana
* Milligreest, Laris (the Fourth)
* Miyane
* Mouse
* Nacinte, Felicia
* Nemesan
* Nerikan (I have a note, but unsure)
* Niruz
* Novirin, Aidian
* Ompher
* Qhuaras (Glossary)
* S'arric ( Selanol )
* Scabbard
* Shorissa
* Shogu ( King Shogu )
* Silorma, Qhadri
* Simillion ( Emperor Simillion )
* Sinka ( King Sinka )
* Suless
* Tavris
* Terrin
* Tyrinthal ( Magister Tyrinthal)
* Valathea
* Valrashar
* Witchhunter Piety
* Ynis

## Chapters

2. The Kazivar House
3. The Black Brotherhood
4. Butterbelly
5. Leaving Kishna-Farriga
6. The Rook's Father
7. *The Misery*
8. The Angel's Bargain
9. Souls and Stones
10. Demon in the Streets
11. The Coming Storm
12. Behind the Veil
13. The Determined Wizard
14. Bedtime Stories
15. The Zherias Maw
16. The General's Reward
17. Waking the Old Man
18. What Jarith Found
19. Dream of a Goddess
20. Valathea
21. The Island of Ynisthana
22. A Golden Hawk
23. Morning Service
24. The Hawk's Talon
25. Into the Jungle
26. Unhappy Reunion
27. Sister Kalindra
28. The Finest Healers
29. Teraeth's Return
30. Family Reunion
31. Tyentso at the Beach
32. Lady Miya
33. The Dragon's Due
34. Promises
35. Red Flags
36. Testing the Lock
37. The New Tutor
38. The High Lord
39. In Search of Music
40. Interlude in an Abattoir
41. Refusal
42. The Younger Son
43. The Dragon's Deal
44. Fencing Lessons
45. Riscoria Tea
46. The Crypt
47. The Mother of Trees
48. Family Dinner
49. Critical Lessons
50. The Lord Heir's Wife
51. The Rock Garden
52. Dark Streaks
53. Speed Training
54. The Carriage Ride
55. The Pale Lady's Judgement
56. The Octagon
57. Ghost Walk
58. The Price of Freedom
59. Kharas Gulgoth
60. The Invitation
61. Guardians of the Cage
62. The Gryphon Ring
63. Tea with Death
64. The D'Lorus Fete
65. Hangover Cures
66. The Game
67. The Destruction of Ynisthana
68. The Lion's Den
69. The Wayward Son
70. The Raven Returns
71. The Trip Home
72. The New Year's Festival
73. Returning to the Red Sword
74. Thefts and Murders
75. Confrontations
76. Betrayal
77. Gadrith's Way
78. The Lighthouse at Shadrag Gor

80. The Blue Palace
81. The Borderlands
82. A Meeting of Wizards
83. Xaltorath's Daughter
84. The D'Lorus Duel
85. Death's Front
86. Returning
87. The Breaking of Oaths
88. Miya's Gift
89. Parting
90. Final Notes

## Special Content

The book contains several pieces of content beyond the listed chapters. They are mostly used to frame the story and provide additional background and support for the story.

* LETTER from Thurvishar D'Lorus: At the beginning of the novel the first piece of writing is a letter from Thurvishar D'Lorus to 'Your Majesty' introducing the text which follows as an explanation of what happened in the burning of the Capital.
* A DIALOG between a Jailer and her Prisoner: Within Part 1, but before the first chapter is a transcript of a conversation between Talon and Kihrin.
* ADDENDUM I: Glossary
* ADDENDUM II: The Royal Houses - A list of the twelve Royal Houses of the Empire of Quur including their symbols, gems, monopolies, and eye colors.
* ADDENDUM III: Pronunciation Guide
* The Ruling Families of the Vane - Family Tree

## Editions

Published as a hardcover first by Tor Books in the US and UK in February 2019, it came out later that year as a paperback. There was a Special Edition created by UK based Goldsboro books which was limited to 500 signed copies of first editions with the UK cover. Since its creation it has been translated to several other languages. For more information on editions see: Goodreads List

US Hardcover, Tor Books, 560 pages, February 5th, 2019Kindle Edition, Tor Books, 569 pages, February 5th, 2019UK Paperback Edition, Tor UK, 720 pages, February 5th, 2019UK Hardcover, Tor UK, 560 pages, February 5th, 2019Goldsboro Limited (500) & Signed, February 7th, 2019US Paperback Edition, Tor Books, 720 pages, September 19, 2019German Edition

## The Series

*The Ruin of Kings* is the first installment in the series A Chorus of Dragons. There will be five books total in the series, and is set to be on a nine month release schedule.

For more information of the series see: A Chorus of Dragons

## Reviews

Goodreads Reviews (3.79/5)

Tor.com Review

FantasyBookReview.co (8.6/10)

## Trivia

* The books have been optioned, but no word from the author or any media on the next steps.

1. ↑ Goodreads.com
2. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 24
3. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 25
4. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings*, pg. 27
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Ruin of Kings, pg. 28
6. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 29
7. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 39
8. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 42
9. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 44
10. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 46
11. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 57
12. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 64
13. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 76-77
14. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 82
15. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 91
16. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 96
17. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 120-121
18. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 132
19. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 147*
20. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 164-165
21. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 172*
22. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 204
23. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 225
24. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 246
25. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 250
26. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 259*
27. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 273
28. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 281
29. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 294
30. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 297
31. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 300
32. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 310
33. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 323
34. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 349
35. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 350
36. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 352
37. ↑  *The Ruin of Kings* pg. 377
38. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 390
39. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 393
40. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 407
41. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 420-421
42. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 424
43. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 442*
44. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 447*
45. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 466*
46. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 468*
47. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 34-35
48. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 73
49. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 85
50. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 299
51. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 105
52. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 118
53. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 122
54. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 128
55. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 129
56. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 138
57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 170
58. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 191
59. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 193
60. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 218
61. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 220
62. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 253
63. ↑ THEORY:: This may not be the case, though it could have been Teraeth's first clue. If Teraeth did not know about their past lives being connected then the allusion to it is irony so loud you can actually hear the author laughing on the page.
64. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 254*
65. ↑ SPOILER: Teraeth almost messes up here and almost reveals he in his past life was Emperor Kandor, because he uses the pronoun 'I' in reference to him. Kihrin does not pick up on it.
66. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 257
67. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 270
68. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 277
69. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 301
70. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 314
71. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 345
72. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 359
73. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings,* pg. 361
74. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 371*
75. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 382*
76. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 385*
77. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 388*
78. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 395*
79. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 400*
80. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings. pg. 400*
81. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings. pg. 401*
82. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 404*
83. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 428 AKA: Teraeth slamming down truth AGAIN*
84. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 429-430*
85. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 450*
86. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 460*
87. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 475*
88. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 487-488*
89. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 488*
90. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 504*
91. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 508*
92. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings. 518-519*
93. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 520*
94. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 523*
95. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 528 - Slow claps for Gadrith y'all.*
96. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 528-529*
97. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 530*
98. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 530*
99. ↑ *The Ruin of Kings, pg. 538*