Difference between revisions of "Summary:White Sand"

On the trip back to the Diem from the Tower, Kenton discusses his regret for ruining Aarik's life. Khriss tells him that no matter how hard the choice was, regrets and all, he did make the best choice for his people. Baon theorizes that Raagent was killed to sabotage the Diem's chances at winning the vote of the Taishin. Or, at least, if the assisnsassassins truly want the DIemDiem to fail, then Ais and the other Taishin are likely to be in danger. Kenton leaves them to return to the DIemDiem and takes the ferry back to Kezare.

Ais gives the Lady Judge a report on Raagent's murder, and Judge Heelis asks Ais to return to her duties with the Lord Mastrell while a team is assigned to the murder investigation. On her way out, Tain intercepts her, saying that they found Sharezan and inviting her to join him on the raid. He explains that Lokmlen finally broke and revealed tehthe safehouse location while he hands her a zinkall, and they go off together.

When they arrive at the location, Ais notes it is a nondescript building hidden in plain sight. Movement is heard as they enter and Tain reminderreminds her that his team is already inside. Lokmlen steps out of the shadows and Ais warns Tain they have been betrayed. Tain replies that she has. She asks Tain if he was bought, and replies in the negative. Ais quickly realizes that Tain is Sharezan, though she had suspected Nilto. Tain tells her that there was no better cover than as a trackt, and he used that to feed her suspicions about the Lord Beggar and regrets not having enough time to frame him properly. He whines about how even getting assigned to her team was not enough to stay ahead of her progress in dismantling his organization.

She attempts to shoot Tain, only to find the zinkall was sabotaged, about which Tain laughs that she should only accept gear from people she trusts. As his corniescronies knock Ais to her knees, he informs her about his plan to hide out for a few years then return under a new name and new locations. But he wants to conclude his unfinished business with her first. Tain explains his "hobby" is finding how to break his target—and Ais is so easy. He starts by revealing her "secret" and claims that the entire Hall knows that she is so obsessed with control that she bottles her emotions until they explode uncontrolled. Tain claims this arises from the conflict inside her: trackt or Kerztian, cold-hearted warrior or loving mother, pious or traitor. Tain will make her chosechoose duty or family.

All of the Taishin and a large crowd gather in the Diem to watch the fight between Kenton and Drile. Kenton points out each Taisha, as Khriss has not yet met them all. SHe marvels at the change in Aarik, now that he is garbed in tehthe Lord General's uniform. Drile makes a grand entrance from over the seating and Khriss wishes Kenton good luck as he heads toward the pit. Elorin gives each of them a drink from different ceremonial bowls, and both Sand Masters remove their sashes as the fight begins.

Khriss moves toward the guard rail at her seat, and Baon intercepts her, telling her that no matter how horrible it is Kenton's choice to defend his people and she has no right to rob him of his choice by interferringinterfering.