Difference between revisions of "Summary:White Sand"
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*[[Traiben]]
*[[Yeeden]]
*[[Moril]]
*[[Drile]]
*[[Daazk]]
*[[A'
*[[Gevalden]] (mentioned only)
*[[Skathan]] (mentioned only)
*[[Dirin]] (mentioned only)
*[[Autonomy]] (appearance only)
}}
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 29—On a ship''
Somewhere in the [[Border Ocean]]'s terminal storm, Duchess [[Khrissalla]] is repairing a [[Dayside]] pocket watch to prove that the [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Dayside_Timekeeping|Dayside timekeeping]] differs from [[Darkside]] hours and minutes. As the storm abates and the seas calm, she and [[Baon]] venture on deck and into unfiltered sunlight for the first time. They find that
:'''Kenton'''
:''Ten days
[[Kenton]] and [[Traiben]] approach the [[Diem]]'s meeting area near Mount [[KraeDa]] and use their [[sand mastery]] to sandboard down the dune approaching the tents. Kenton attempts to match Traiben's speed, despite only
Over lunch [[Acolent]] Kenton, mockingly nicknamed [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Dayside_Terms|Lonsha]] (Darksider), is challenged by [[Lestrell]] [[Yeeden]] and [[Underlestrell]] [[Moril]] to a round of [[Zo'Ken]] because [[Dirin]] had claimed that nobody could move sand faster than Kenton. Kenton mocks Yeeden for only selecting one target per ribbon that he can control, so Yeeden adds one more target and successfully destroys all ten targets. Kenton asks the Zo'Ken administrator to launch all 25 red [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Dayside_Coinage|lak]] in the bet, telling Yeeden that he can keep any lak that survive the round. Kenton then destroys all 25 with his single, very fast ribbon.
Mastrell [[Drile]] then arrives from his travels and scolds Lestrell Yeeden for sparring against lowly acolents. He then mocks Kenton for believing that an acolent can survive running the [[Mastrell's Path]].
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 39—Dayside''
Duchess Khrissalla and company have arrived at the port of [[Dosha-Har'Ken]]. They leave Private [[Torth]] to watch the luggage, while Baon, Flennid and the Professors join Khrissalla in searching for supplies. They find that every time their linguist, Professor Cynder, tries speaking "Daysider language" to somebody, they scream and run away. Professor Acron notices a merchant with a sign in [[Dynastic]] and the group begins purchasing supplies. The merchant also offers his nephew [[Daazk]] as a guide for them to travel to [[Lossand]]. In the distance, they hear some Daysider language that they can understand and come upon the [[A'
{{anchor|Part One}}
*[[Torth]]
*[[Daazk]]
*[[Reenst Rile|Rile]] (mentioned only)
}}
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Kerla''
Kenton, a weak but skilled [[
[[Undermastrell]] [[Elorin]] warns Kenton of the danger, again, but permits him to test himself against the Path. Elorin explains how the challenge works: Kenton must make his way across the [[Kerla]] in a limited time and collect five red spheres along the way. He may bring only one [[qido]] of water with him. Praxton complains that Kenton should not be allowed to bring a sword, but Elorin allows it as it is not explicitly forbidden by the rules
As Kenton begins the Mastrell's Path, he reflects on the day he was admitted into the Diem.
:''Flashback—Eight Years ago''
[[Khrissalla's_Journal#Sand_Masters|Recruit]] Traiben displays potential and Recruit Drile, son of [[
:''Now—The Kerla''
On the Mastrell's Path, Kenton collects the first two spheres quickly (off screen), and is ridiculed by the watching
When he approaches the fifth and final sphere he discovers that it is guarded by a [[terken]] [[Marken]] which emerges from the [[deep sand]]. Kenton realizes that the final sphere was a test of preparation and endurance. Kenton was supposed to ration his qido so that he would have water to drive off the creature, whose shell normally could only be damaged by water. While dodging the creature's attacks and collecting the fifth sphere, Kenton notices a sixth sphere under the Marken and is determined to collect it. He is ultimately able to cut into the sandling's carapace with his sword and uses his sand mastery to attack it from the inside
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 43—The Kerla''
Duchess Khrissalla and company have learned they were overcharged for their guide, as the only word Daazk knows
Checking the map, Khriss decides the most likely place to find a spring to refill their water is where the rocks break the surface of the desert. Using the map she convinces Daazk to lead them toward Mount KraeDa.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Next Day—The Kerla''
Kenton is woken by Mastrell Traiben, who he initially mistakes for [[Aarik]], and discovers it is the next day. Kenton also learns that the sixth sphere was not part of the test—it must have been left over from a previous test run. In fact, few sand masters are even able to obtain all five spheres
On his way to the ceremonies where the Lord Mastrell will present new ranks and sashes before the entire Diem, Kenton hears rumors from Acolent Dirin that Mastrell Drile and a group of his followers have hired themselves out as mercenaries. Praxton expresses his disapproval to Drile. The ceremonies begin as Undermastrell Elorin passes the cermonial bowl to Lord Mastrell Praxton, from which all of the sand masters share a drink of water, though Drile refuses to partake. Lord Mastrell Praxton opens the ceremony by offering the rank of Lestrell to [[Reendel]].
After most of new ranks and sashes have been bestowed, Drile is called before the Lord Mastrell and, for the first time in Diem history, demoted to [[Diemfen]], which he angrily accepts. Kenton is then presented with an Underfen sash, the lowest rank, because he disobeyed his father's orders by taking the test. Kenton refuses the sash. His father then indicates Drile's former Mastrell's sash on the ground and advances Kenton to Mastrell, but remarks that the other sand masters will always hate him for apparent nepotism and will never believe that he deserves the rank.
The Lord Mastrell is suddenly struck with an arrow, and a battle ensues. [[Kerzta|Kerztian]] warriors attack by surprise, in great numbers, and the sand masters are unprepared. Kenton notices that the warriors bear the 'X' of the warrior [[DaiKeen]], but as a scar instead of the traditional tattoo. Kenton also notices that the sand masters seem to be [[overmastery|overmastering]] and dehydrating remarkably fast. Kenton tries to rally the sand masters and help the wounded, but they are unable to stop the hordes of warriors who have come against them.
{{anchor|Chapter 3}}
*[[Daazk]]
*[[Drile]] (mentioned only)
*[[A'
*[[Autonomy]] (mentioned only)
*[[Kerzt]] (mentioned only)
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Kerla''
Kenton awakens and emerges from the sand
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 47—The Kerla''
Duchess Krissalla spots tents from a distance using her telescope.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Kerla''
While searching the other tents for additional supplies, Kenton is found and awakened by Baon and Professor Cynder. Cynder
Kenton agrees to lead Khriss's party to a village for supplies and then on to Lossand. Khriss reveals along the way that she is searching for the "sand mages", though Kenton does not know the word "mage." When Khriss elaborates and says that "they rule Lossand"
:''Two Days Later—The Border''
They arrive in a village and, as they restock on supplies, Kenton discovers that sand masters are not well liked in the area because of recent political pressure from the Kerztians. The A'
:''Two Days Later—The Desert''
*[[Praxton]] (mentioned only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton'''
:''Lossand Desert''
Kenton defends himself with his sword while trying to master sand. Baon kills two of the warriors with his
:''Two Days Later—Kezare''
Duchess Khrissalla examines a zinkall they removed from one of the dead kerztians. They arrive to the [[Ry'Do_Ali_River|Ry'Do Ali]] river with the city of [[Kezare]] on an island in the middle. Kenton arranges to sell their tonks
:''The Diem''
:''Hall of Judgement''
Outside the Hall, Kenton dons his Mastrell's sash and discovers that his powers are not only back; but are now stronger than ever as he can now command three sand ribbons. Kenton enters the Taishin meeting chamber, interrupting the meeting, and explains that he outranks Drile. [[Lord Merchant]] [[Vey]] contests Kenton's rank and Kenton explains how his father's
{{anchor|Chapter 5}}
*[[Lord Admiral]] [[Delius]]
*[[Lord Artisan]] [[Rite]]
*[[
*[[N'Teese]]
*[[Baon]]
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Hall''
Kenton argues his case before the Taishin Council, reminding them to mourn those who have died and asking to be allowed time to change the Diem for the good of Lossand. The Taishin ignore his pleas and hold the dissolution vote—voting six-to-one to dissolve the Diem. Kenton invokes an obscure combination of rules to have the vote declared void on the basis that at the death of the Lord Mastrell, he became the Acting Lord Mastrell as the highest ranked remaining
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 53—Lonzare''
[[N'Teese]] leads Khriss and her group of Darksiders to Lonzare—the Darkside Quarter. The existence of this part of the city surprises the group, as the [[Dynasty]] doesn't want people to know that there is traffic between Dayside and Darkside. They pay their guide to lead them to someone in charge, who turns out to be a Darksider named [[Loaten]], a man branded a traitor to the Dynasty who was supposedly executed for attempting to murder Emperor Skathan. Loaten was expecting Khriss's arrival and seems to know a great many things, but he does not answer many of Khriss's questions concerning her fiance and the "sand mages" he sought. Khriss calls him out as having met [[Gevin]], since he used the nickname instead of his given name, Gevalden. Laoten admits to having met with Gevin and [[Wilheln]] before Gevin was shot by Dynastic assassins. Loaten reveals that N'Teese works for him and asks her to continue to work with Khriss.
At the end of the meeting, [[Nilto]], the Lord Beggar enters the room with his face wrapped and orders Laoten to get rid of "that woman" in Lossandin. Laoten explains that Nilto is an unofficial Taisha due to his influence among the lower classes, and that he asks for her to leave for now. As Khriss exits the room, Baon recognizes Loaten and draws his gun before Khriss orders him to stand down. The guards are revealed to also carry guns.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Hall''
Judge Heelis explains that she cannot allow personal preference to affect the way she handles
:''The Diem''
Drile contends for the loyalty of select sand masters and Acolents and is apportioning the now-vacant rooms to his followers. After rejecting Kenton's authority on the basis of his greater strength, Drile attempts to humiliate Kenton by "suggesting" a more private conversation in the Lord Mastrell's quarters (which he
{{anchor|Chapter 6}}
*[[Traiben]] (mentioned only)
*[[Jedan]] (mentioned only)
*[[Grelin]] (appearance only)
}}
:'''Ais'''
:''Kezare''
At the site of a raid that was conducted earlier, Senior [[Trackt]] [[Ais]], with Trackt [[Tain]] and her team, discovers a man kept prisoner behind a hidden door. The man, Lord [[Torkel]], was an advisor to the Lord Merchant who had gone missing last year. While questioning Torkel, Ais reflects on her warring emotions and her difficulty in controlling her anger when innocents are harmed. Torkel reveals that he was kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured by being kept in a closet with the remains of his murdered wife and children, retribution
:''Portside Market''
Ais chases down Lokmlen, who also murdered six trackts during that raid. Lokmlen accuses her of being [[
:'''Kenton'''
:'''Ais'''
:''The Hall''
The Lady Judge pays a visit to Ais and asks her to spy on Kenton for the next two weeks under the pretense of guarding his safety since the
:''
She admonishes her daughter, [[Melloni]] for waiting up and sends her to bed. She tells [[Mellis]], her husband, about the deaths of her second, Trackt [[Jedan]], and the other trackts. Mellis expresses concern for her and the family's safety as they have received a threatening letter from Sharezan. Ais
:'''Kenton'''
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day
Assuming that Gevalden would have spoken with the Taishin, Khriss has N'Teese arrange meetings with all of the Profession leaders. Khriss works on fixing the lock on the case that Cynder borrowed from Acron each time they wait while N'teese coordinates appoinments. Over the course of the day they are turned away from The Hall of Judgement (Lady Judge), The Tower Garrison (Lord General), Helm's Rest (Lord Admiral), The Guild (Lord Merchant), The Congress (Lord Farmer), The Central Studio (Lord Artisan), and Mason Headquarters (Lady Mason). Khriss asks N'Teese to take them to see The Lord Mastrell.
:''The Diem''
Upon arriving at the Diem, N'Teese points out the Lord Mastrell by his distinctive Golden Sash. Khriss accuses Kenton of lying to her and won't allow him to explain how new he is to the position of Lord Mastrell. Kenton tells her he is too busy to be scolded, summons his ribbons, and retreats to his rooms.
Khriss asks if it is a trick done with wires while Baon remarks that they seem to have found the "Sand Mages."
{{anchor|Part Two}}
== Part Two==
:'''Khriss'''
:''The Diem''
Duchess Khrissalla marks which balcony Kenton has landed on then angrily climbs the inconvenient ladders of the Diem to reach Kenton's floor. She enters his chambers asking to talk; then slaps him while yelling at him for not telling her that he was a "Sand Mage." They clear up why Kenton did not understand her use of the word "mage" to mean sand mastery (to Kenton, "mages" use party tricks or are charlatans that prey on the foolish). Kenton also confirms that he wasn't lying when they met, as he has only been the Lord Mastrell for two days and was "unimportant" when they met. Khrisalla asks if
:'''Kenton'''
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem''
Meanwhile, Aarik and Kenton review the Diem's finance records and realize that the Diem owes 7,000,000 lak, an insurmountably colossal amount. The conversation switches to how they will convince the Taishin to vote to keep the Diem, and they decide to visit [[Delius]], the [[Lord Admiral]].
:'''Delius'''
:''Helm's Rest''
Lord Admiral Delius is dropping half-drunk glasses of wine from his balcony while goading the [[Kelzi]]n that are petitioning him to curb his drinking. They depart as Kenton, Aarik, and Ais arrive. Delius's [[Delius's_son|Steward]] shows them in. The Lord Admiral assures Kenton that he will vote for him, because he always votes the opposite of Lord Merchant Vey; and, as a Kerztian, Vey is sure to oppose the Diem. As Kenton's party departs, Delius asks his Steward what he thinks the Kelzin's
:'''Kenton'''
:''Central Studio''
Kenton's
Khriss wants to join Kenton for his next appointment, but Kenton notes that by [[
:''The Diem''
*[[Deral]] (mentioned only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''
:''The Diem''
Kenton, checking the Diem's records to try and trace the cause of the remaining debt, is attacked by assassins—the assassins and their zinkallin bolts are somehow terken, and therefore impervious to sand mastery. Kenton, draws his sword and, taking advantage of the smaller rooms, prevents being overwhelmed by too many opponents at one time. He then realizes that even if sand cannot affect the assassins, it can certainly wield other things that can. In the courtyard, Dirin hears noises from above and another acolent quips that it is probably Kenton trying to figure out his father's filing system.
Kenton uses his sand mastery to lift the desk and attack them with it, knocking one of the assassins off of the balcony and alerting the Diem to the attack. Ais, after a brief morality struggle, realizes she cannot let her beliefs interfere with duty and rushes to help Kenton. Kenton escapes through the hole made by the falling assassin to go to the roof and buy time for reinforcements; but finds more assassins already waiting there with rappelling ropes meant to lower them to his rooms.
Ais gains the roof by climbing from the balcony,
While explaining this, Ais is studying the attack for forensic evidence and discovers the assassins' bodies and weapons are coated in a clear paste. Kenton theorizes that it could be the dissolved carapace of a terken Deep Sandling, and Ais confirms that the process is only known to the A'
:''Later''
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 56, Sixth Hour—The Hall''
Khrissalla, with N'Teese and Baon, wait to meet the High Judge since a letter from the Lord Mastrell has now allowed her to get appointments with some Taishin. Khriss speculates about how sand mastery could work, wondering where the energy comes from and what the practical limits may be. She resolves to try being nice to Kenton in the hopes that he will share the secrets with her. When their party is admitted to meet the Lady Judge, Heelis tells her that the city's perception of sand mastery must change, so if she can convince Nilto to support sand mastery then the populace may give the Diem a chance to improve.
:''Kezare Slums''
N'Teese arranges a meeting, so Khriss, appalled at the conditions, meets with the Lord Beggar in a filthy alley of the slums. Nilto takes a moment to send a young boy on an errand while Khiss is explaining how she would like him to support the Diem, because Gevin had come looking for support from the Diem for Darkside and the Diem must survive for her to fulfill his wishes. Nilto tells her "never to beg a beggar" because he does not
:''Eleventh Hour—Lonzare''
:'''Kenton'''
:''Day 56 (very late)—Deep Sand Border''
The
Raagent first shows Kenton a place where the surface of the deep sand is disturbed in a wide radius, but points out that there is also a small variety of deep sandling that feeds in schools with up to over a thousand creatures, but can be dispersed by disturbing the sand upon which they are feeding. He then points out the [[DelRak]] Naisha, who are ambush predators that hide below the sand and only allow a small fin of carapace to project above and lure prey. Raagent then switches gears, asking what King [[Reven]] of the [[Taldain#Rim_Kingdoms|Rim Kingdom]] [[Seevis]] has offered the Diem. Kenton surmises that was the cause of Drile's previous mysterious "travels." Kenton tries to convince the Lord General to aid him in his cause, but the Lord General wants nothing except to "hire"
His men have taunted and wounded a small [[
Kenton returns to the site of the hunt
Kenton sends his ribbon through the beast's eye to slice its brain from the inside until it dies. As Lord General Raagent remarks on how incredibly Kenton fought, Kenton reminds him that he is one of the weakest sand masters.
:''Day 57 (very early)''
Kenton reminds Raagent that he had thought sand mastery was useless, but it saved his life and most of his soldiers that day (only twelve dead). As the Lord General continues to prevaricate, Kenton calls him out on his hypocrisy and offers to allocate two dozen
Kenton departs the tent as Raagent finally recognizes his son due to his assistance in rescuing the soldiers. As Kenton approaches the flags marking the beginning of deep sand, he is attacked by another assassin.
{{anchor|Chapter 10}}
:'''Kenton'''
:''
Kenton and the assassin fight. Realizing that he lost his sword, Kenton holds off the assassin's dagger with both hands while maneuvering to kick her off. When Kenton attempts to push the assassin with mastered sand, he realizes that she has greased herself in Terken oil, which negates his sand. When he tries to lift them both to gain leverage, she swings her terken leg through the ribbon dropping them both with the asassin landing on top. Kenton notes they are learning how to fight
He meets back with Aarik and Ais at the Lord General's tent and they mount their [[Rezal]]in to travel back to the Diem. Kenton notes that even if the assassin had followed them to the Deep Sand Border, she specifically waited for First Hour to attack so that it was the next day. Aarik notes that while his father finally spoke with him, he was still angry and tried to convince Aarik to carry a sword again.
:''The Next Day—The Diem''
Upon entering the Diem, they see Drile trying to take control of the remaining
Later, Kenton returns to his rooms and has Dirin help him do an experiment. They discover that when a
:'''Ais'''
:''Golden Market''
Lord Merchant Vey, in a bid to prove his superior importance, makes them wait for two hours. Kenton, fed up with waiting decides to bait a response and starts practing making sand artwork in the air. The Lord Merchant bursts out of his office, yelling about the "unholy art" but Kenton replies it is hardly illegal and that he gets bored waiting. Vey calls them into his office to get the meeting over with. Kenton asks the Lord Merchant what he wants in payment for his vote. The Lord Merchant refuses to side with the
He also claims that since most Kelzin are Kerztian, he would be viewed as a traitor if he voted for the Diem; then asks Ais if she has begun to regret betraying their people. Kenton defends her, threatening Lord Vey with mastered sand for daring to insult a guest. They are kicked out of his office. Ais gets mad at Kenton for defending her and assures Kenton that she doesn't want his help—ever.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem''
Upon arriving back at the Diem, Kenton receives an invitation from the Lord Admiral to a ball thrown in his honor, requesting that he bring his "darkside beauty," Duchess Khrissalla. Kenton asks if the messenger also brought the note that was found earlier at the gates when they returned from the Deep Sand. Ais recognizes it as a letter for her from Sharezan and tells Kenton it is none of the Diem's business.
:'''Khriss'''
:''Day 59—Lonzare''
Kenton goes to find Khrissalla in the Darkside quarter of Kezare at the new house they are renting. Kenton informs her of the invitation, and summarizes his progress with the Taisha. Khriss tells him that she has made a deal on the Diem's behalf with the Lord Beggar: that if Kenton can prove the Diem can benefit the lower classes, Nilto will help sway
{{anchor|Chapter 11}}
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[Aarik]] (Point of View)
*[[Baon]]
*[[Mellis]]
*[[Cynder]]
*[[Delius' son]]
*[[Hoid]] (appearance only)
*[[A'
*[[Kenton's mother]] (mentioned only)
*[[Praxton]] (mentioned only)
*[[Skathan]] (mentioned only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton'''
:''Lonzare''
Kenton runs off in the middle of lunch, intending to start looking for the missing money. He is followed by Ais, Khrissalla, and Baon. As they move through the Lonzare market, Khrissalla is bumped by a person in overly concealing robes and notices that something is wrong. Kenton realizes it's been long enough for another attack just as more robed figures step forward from the crowds. Kenton masters sand to lift Khriss and himself over the first volley of zinkallin bolts. Kenton hands Khriss over to Baon for protection as he and Ais engage the assassins. As Baon is drawing his pistols, Kenton notices an assassin come from the alley and tries to yell a warning. Too late, the assassin blindslides Baon and knocks him out
Before the assassin can finish Baon or retrive the pistols, Kenton forms a sand dummy approximating his form at the mouth of the alley, drawing all attacks to the diversion and highlighting the locations of the other assassins. While they are distracted he uses another ribbon to throw vases at the heads of the attackers, hitting two but the third sees it coming and punches his terken fist through the mastered sand. Now back-to-back with Ais in full view, Kenton waits for the assassins to turn toward him, then sends a ribbon to each of Baon's pistols, lifting them and pulling the triggers from behind the attackers. While another assassin is startled at the noise of the gunshots, Ais shoots her zinkall. The recovering Baon, appears behind the assassin who blindsided him and "returns the favor" by spinning him from the shoulder and into his waiting knife.
Scanning the bodies, Kenton notes that some of the attackers were Lossandin. Ais relates that she had heard rumors that the A'kar was going to allow non-Kerztian Ker'reen followers to start being adopted into the DaiKeen families. Ais also explains that the likely reason the A'kar wants him dead so badly is because he was made to look foolish by announcing he had destroyed the sand masters before Kenton and others were found to have survived. Khriss says that if she is to be in danger when she is with Kenton then she deserves to know why.
:''Later—Lonzare''
In another part of the market, while Baon and Ais check the other bodies, Kenton explains to Khrissalla that his [[Kenton's_mother|mother]] was a Darksider and his father was a Mastrell. He tells her how everyone thought that his older brothers failed the test for
Kenton then tells her how the Diem was ambushed, and that he never reconciled with Praxton before everybody was killed in the Kerla. He also explains how the Taishin were using it as an excuse to disband the
:'''Kenton—Khriss'''
:''The Diem''
Kenton, with Khriss and Baon, return to the Diem to look for the missing lak. Aarik mentions how he found some on his first day, and shows them the secret of the hidden compartment in the desk in his room. They split up to check the rest of the former Mastrell's rooms, discovering each desk has a hidden stash of Lak. They explore the rest of the building, but only find 5,000 lak in total—a substantial amount but nowhere near what they need. Khriss and Baon take the ferry back to Kezare and return to Lonzare.
:'''Ais'''
:''The Next Day, Fifth Hour—Home''
The next morning, we see Ais on the roof of her house performing a cleansing ceremony and praying to the Sand Lord. She continues to be conflicted that her duties might be against the Sand Lord's will. Her husband, Mellis, comes up and they talk. Ais tells him to take Melly and go south to another city (of which he should not tell her so that she cannot reveal their location), and go to that Hall of Judgement to receive sanctuary. She explains why she thinks she is close to catching Sharezan—but she does now believe
:'''Aarik'''
:'''Khriss'''
:''Lonzare''
Khrissalla has turned her bedroom suite into a laboratory and is performing [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Sand_Experimentation|experiments]]. Cynder and Baon arrive and she shows them her findings:
Finally, she shows them how, in a dark room, they can see that white sand gives off a full-sprectrum opalescent burst of light when dabbed with water—the same color of glow displayed by mastered sand ribbons. She and Cynder conclude that while they don't yet know much, it is encouraging that they might find a way to use the sand to fight Skathan. As Cynder departs, she asks Baon if he had ever witnessed any of Skathan's "magic." He confesses he has seen inexplicable events, but the most telling evidence is that Skathan looks the same now as the first time Baon saw him as a child. Khriss privately notices that Baon was still hiding something.
:'''Ais'''
*[[Aarik]]
*[[Delius' son]] (appearance only)
*[[A'
*[[Nilto]] (appearance only)
*[[
*[[Deral]] (mentioned only)
}}
:'''Kenton'''
:''Helm's Rest''
As the party winds down, [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Dayside_Food|food]] is served. Kenton and Khrissalla prepare plates and take them to sit by the fountain. Khrissalla asks Kenton to tell and show her how sand mastery works, but Kenton says he cannot reveal the secrets of his trade and that Khrissalla is a Darksider and cannot manipulate sand anyway. The Lord Admiral comes over to them asking to meet Khrissalla and eat with them. He tells them that the A'
When Kenton asks why Lord Delius professed support for the Diem, he enigmatically says that Kenton must not know how a Lord Admiral is chosen in the Helm's Charter. The Lord Admiral leaves and Khrissalla again pressures Kenton more about learning about sand mastery while they return to the party to say their farewells. While passing through, Khriss notices Nilto, the Lord Beggar, and Kenton wonders if he's just late. Ais mentions that she saw him duck out when they first arrived and he only returned minutes ago.
:''Kezare''
As they are leaving in a carriage, Kenton looks ahead after hearing a commotion. He departs the
Kenton nearly collapses from overmastery dehydration and rests by a cart to guzzle his qido while ruminating on why he risked his life for people that fear and hate him. The Foreman, [[Trell (Taldain)|Trell]], comes over to thank him; and Kenton tells him to call for a
:'''Khriss'''
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem''
Aarik is ribbing Kenton about the Diem starting a construction business because of his actions the night before. Kenton is surprised the rumors have already spread, and decides to address the assembled
{{anchor|Part Three}}
== Part Three==
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[Tain]] (Point of View)
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*[[Heelis]]
*[[Aarik]]
*[[
*[[Tarn (Taldain)|Tarn the Tonk]]
*[[Vennin]]
*[[Elorin]]
*[[Cynder]]
*[[Acron]]
*[[N'Teese]]
*[[Doril]]
*[[Drile]]
*[[Grelin]]
*[[Vey]]
*[[Sharezan]] (mentioned only)
*[[Delius]] (mentioned only)
*[[Baon]] (mentioned only)
*[[Nilto]] (mentioned only)
*[[
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Ais'''
:''The Hall''
Senior Trackt Ais goes to visit Lady Judge Heelis at the Hall of Judgement to give a report about Kenton and his leadership of the Diem. On her way there, she reminisces about her previous visit with Trackt Tain when the investigation into Sharezan had reached a critical stage. Ais tells Heelis that it is a pity that she is required to hate Kenton because she has started to like him.
:''Flashback—The Diem''
She reports that under Kenton's leadership, the Diem is changing, to the point that Duchess Khrissalla, a noblewoman from Darkside, was allowed to petition to become a sand master. She also reports that Kenton allowed her party to take rooms at the Diem until they could be tested.
:''The Hall''
The High Judge asks if Ais believes that the new Lord Mastrell is open to change. Ais states that Kenton is either maturing or thrashing like a man drowning in deep sand. She then tells Heelis about her internal moral conflict about protecting the Lord Mastrell; Heelis responds that she judges the law, not morality, then asks for an update on the Sharezan investitgation. Ais tells Heelis that one of Sharezan's dens was raided the day before and that they've heard that one of his main allies is looking to defect. She tells Heelis that her best man, Tain, is leading the investigation in her absence.
:'''Tain'''
:''Kezare-Alley off of a Market Square''
Tain arrives at the scene of [[Tarn (Taldain)|Tarn the Tonk]]'s death. Trackt Tain notes that the skull is caved in. As Tain examines the body he reads a warning note from Sharezan and shows it to the other trackt, who says they should show it to Senior Trackt Ais. Tain agrees, but notes they will have to travel to the Diem, since Ais was returning there.
:'''Ais'''
:''The Diem''
Ais arrives at the Diem and relieves [[Vennin]] from his post watching Kenton. Kenton is sitting at his desk, reading up on the other Taishin and how their positions work, using the reference books his father kept in his library. Ais notes his determination, and wonders if it can be called nobility when it is not appled to a noble cause. Kenton starts reviewing each profession's charter looking for ways to work with the other Taishin.
:'''Kenton'''
:''Later''
Kenton tells Ais how the Lord Admiral's position works and that he is bewildered by it. He notes that the Lord Admiral, by Charter, is allowed an unlimited food and drink budget and speculates that maybe Delius was elected against his will and uses his drunkeness as a means for revenge.
:'''Khriss'''
Khriss, Acron, and Cynder arrive at the Diem with N'Teese. Professor Cynder notes how all rooms are open to the elements, and Professor Acron considers it 'uncivilized.' Undermastrell Elorin shows them to their rooms. The group discuss Baon's betrayal, and Cynder says that any of them could also be a spy. Acron laughs at this, saying they should not dwell on it until they have a chance to hear Baon's explanation. Khriss gives Cynder Gevin's pistol and asks him to be her guard in Baon's absence. Cynder notes that Baon took all of the charges, but Khriss reminds them that they found saltpeter and she brought her lab equipment.
After Khriss has made some gunpowder, she realizes she does want to find Baon before he can leave the area. Khriss asks N'Teese to arrange a meeting with Nilto to see if his contacts can locate their former bodyguard, and she runs off to find him.
:'''Kenton'''
Kenton notices N'Teese departing while he and Ais discuss the chances of the assassins attacking that day. Ais says it is unlikely and that he should be safe until the day after tomorrow because, by Ker'reen law, the assassins must wait an entire cycle if they miss a day of attacks. Tain arrives at the Diem and Ais excuses herself to consult her trackts. Tain gives the note to Ais, while in the background Kenton uses the opportunity to slip over the balustrade and find Khriss so he can administer her sand mastery test.
Kenton comes to get Khriss and reminds her that she will not need her notebook to take the test. On their way, they are interrupted by an unnamed Underfen asking which room he should use for teaching his group of Acolents; they are then interrupted by Underfen [[Doril]] asking about a shipment of [[zaidon]]. As Khriss is explaining her suggestions for delegation, they are again interrupted by an unnamed Fen asking about the ladder make-up and positioning. Kenton asks Elorin if he would be willing to handle some of the smaller issues so Kenton can focus on saving the Diem, and Elorin agrees.
As they move to the Pit, he directs another Acolent trying to ask questions to see Undermastrell Elorin. Kenton asks about Baon, but is brushed off as Khriss tries to say that Kenton promised to teach her sand mastery; Kenton retorts he promised to test her, not train her unless she passes. Khriss tries to forge a bond with the sand, but is unable to do it. She tells him that she isn't disappointed since all she really wanted to know is how to test for the ability. Kenton shows Khriss the dueling pit where he and Drile will fight each other. Drile comes to taunt him, but Kenton brushes him off. Kenton asks if Khriss will walk with him to the Golden Market, since he is late for his appointment with Lord Merchant Vey. Khriss mentions how their situations are similar since the Dynasty's ambassadors imply that if Elis does not join willingly, they will be invaded. Khriss explains that some Elisian nobles are considering surrender to the Dynasty—and only the dead Prince Gevalden denounced them because he held the rights of all people sacred while the Dynasty witholds rights from most people.
:''Golden Market''
Kenton goes to visit Vey, with Aarik, Khriss, and the two professors accompanying him. [[Grelin]] makes them wait for a long time, and Kenton, frustrated, stands up and declares loudly that he expects Vey to continue paying tribute to the Diem for the same reason as always. Upon hearing this, Vey invites him in for a private chat. Vey calls Kenton's bluff, and Kenton is forced to admit that he does not know the secret.
:''Restaurant''
The group goes to a restaurant and is discussing Vey when Kenton mentions that there is no way a Kerztian would continue paying the tribute when it violates Ker'reen law unless there was a powerful motive. Kenton explains that the reason Ker'reen preaches against sand mastery is that they believe the sand is the Sand Lord's body and that mankind was never meant to wield powere reserved for the Sand Lord. Aarik interrupts to mention he's noticed that assassins have surrounded them.
{{anchor|Chapter 14}}
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*[[Aarik]]
*[[
*[[N'Teese]]
*[[Nilto]]
*[[
*[[Baon]]
*[[Dirin]]
*[[
*[[Lokmlen]] (mentioned only)
*[[Tain]] (appearance only)
*[[
*[[Gennel]] (mentioned only)
*[[Sharezan]] (mentioned only)
*[[Wilheln]] (mentioned only)
*[[Skathan]] (mentioned only)
*[[Lady Mason]] (mentioned only)
*[[Raagent]] (mentioned only)
*[[Vey]] (mentioned only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton—Khriss—Ais'''
:''The Restaurant''
Kenton and Ais fight the assassins, Ais with her zinkall and Kenton masters sand to throw tables. Aarik calmly sits through the battle, eating his food, until a "waiter" walks in front of him and raises his zinkall toward Kenton's back. Aarik grabs the man by his firing arm and hauls him over the table. The fight is winding down when one of the assassins runs over to Khrissalla, grabs her, and raises his zinkall to her head, threatening to kill her if anyone moves. Suddenly, Acron appears and shoots the man in the chest with a pistol. Khriss first thinks that Baon has returned, then notices Professor Acron with Gevin's old pistol that she had given to Professor Cynder. Acron, out of sorts from the noise and having killed a person, says that somebody had to carry it for her safekeeping.
Aarik and Khriss go over to him to help him calm down. Kenton considers it his fault for endangering his friends and allies, and notes that the assassins are getting sneakier, and some of the disguised assassins hadn't even worn the assassins mark with their DaiKeen symbol. He then asks why Ais had been so sure that there woud be no attempt that day. Ais remarks that she is surprised that assassins would attack in violation of the rules written in the [[KerKor]], and that attacks may only happen on odd-numbered days in the Kerztian calendar. She mentions only somebody who has not read KerKor closely could make such a mistake. She tells Kenton she must stay to supervise the crime scene, but privately thinks that she wants a closer look at the damage done by the device used by the professor to kill the last assassin. While looking over the scene she finds a note to her that had been missed in the ruckus—an anonymous informer wants to meet her at the warehouse where she raided Lokmlen and will testify in exchange for protection.
:'''Kenton'''
:''Kezare Streets''
As the remaining party gathers outside to return to the Diem, Kenton ruminates on how resposibility weighs on his morality and that he was considering blackmail, even though that is counter to his goals of helping the Diem change so that it can help the people of Lossand. He wonders if Aarik originally left because of the weight of responsibility he felt as the Lord General's heir. N'Teese arrives, saying that the Lord Beggar, Nilto, is ready to see Khriss, and the two of them go to meet with him. Acron abruptly breaks off from Aarik and Kenton and runs after Khriss to protect her.
:'''Khriss'''
:''Slums''
With N'Teese translating, Khriss asks Nilto to find Baon for her. Nilto asks Khriss if this person is so important to her because he is a lover. She says that he is just a friend. Nilto says that he is very busy but if he hears anything he will let her know and expects a reward.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem''
Kenton wonders if using overmastery to further increase his power is worth the risk of burning out. Ais arrives to tell Kenton that she has to leave for Hall duties. When Kenton asks which Hall duties, she confesses that she is to meet with a former associate of Sharezan's who wants to defect. Kenton manipulates Ais into allowing him to accompany her. She mentions that he may come if he promises not to embarass her.
:'''Ais'''
:''Home—Warehouse''
On their way, they make a stop at Ais's house so she can leave a note for her husband since she will be in harm's way. Kenton waits outside while Ais is inside. Kenton realizes he never considered if she had a family and Ais confesses that she tried to send them away for protection, but her husband would not listen. When Kenton tries to offer reassurances, she admonishes him that he has no idea how dangerous the criminal underground can be.
While they are inside the meeting place, Ais hears someone with a limp climbing the stairs, and assumes it to be Nilto. Realizing the meeting may be a trap, she and Kenton jump out the window to safety as the building explodes behind them. Ais says the building must have been rigged with [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Dayside_Terms|napthani flame]], and Kenton remarks they have more in common then they thought, since somebody must want Ais dead too.
:'''Khriss'''
:''Lonzare—The Docks''
N'Teese brings Khriss a message from Nilto, saying that he is leaving town and won't be able to look for Baon. Khriss chases down Nilto at the docks of Kezare, accompanied by Acron and N'Teese. Upon seeing him, she calls out to him with the name '''''"Gevin."''''' Nilto begrudgingly admits that he is indeed Prince Gevaldin. Khiss mentions that when Wilheln wrote to say that he had 'died,' he hadn't mentioned ''where'' the prince had been shot. When Gevin asks what gave him away, Khriss tells him that even though he was speaking Lossandin, she recognized that he called her '''''"Khriss"''''' the last time they met. Gevin explains that he is hiding from Skathan's assassins and is no longer interested in returning to Darkside.
Acron pushes past Khriss and raises his pistol to point at Gevin, saying that he is completing his mission of killing Gevin. Suddenly, a crate of fruit falls onto Acron, and Baon reveals himself. During the ensuing conversation, Acron, who is still lying on the ground, raises his gun again and fires—grazing Baon and knocking him over. Khriss and Gevin run away through the maze of shipping crates, each of them going in a different direction. Acron, not realizing they had separated, chases after Khriss. She climbs up to the control station of the dock's crane and uses it to knock Acron off of the pier and into the water. Gevin approaches and remarks that Khriss protected him after what he had said, but she is also the one to lead Skathan's assassins to him. He reiterates that he plans to stay on Dayside where is he is both wanted and useful.
Khriss returns to N'Teese and Baon, where he explains that while he was indeed an agent of Skathan, he was also hired to protect Khriss and his two missions were not incompatible. For the Dynasty he was supposed to report on if sand mastery was a threat to them. However, he was also hired to protect her—and he takes both oaths seriously. So he continued to watch her group because he could not be sure if Acron or Cynder was the other Dynastic spy. With the loss of Acron, she asks Baon if he is willing to resume his old post. He is.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem''
Kenton is meeting with Dirin, who was told that the [[Lady Mason]] is willing to vote for the Diem because of Kenton's actions in saving her workers on the construction site, as well as caring for their well-being. Khrissalla arrives and tells Kenton what happened with Gevin, Baon, and Acron. Baon and Cynder arrive, and Cynder asks if what happened with Jon is true. Baon explains the situation, including why he killed Captain Deral and the lieutenant: who were planning to sell their party to the Dynasty patrol. He was forced to act to protect both of their missions.
Aarik arrives bearing the news that the Lord General and the Lord Merchant are both missing. Ais confirms that because Kenton needs a unanimous vote that if there is even one abstained vote due to nonattendance, then his case to save the Diem will fail. Kenton asks Khriss if she would like to provide diplomatic support when he visits the Lord Farmer the next day.
{{anchor|Chapter 15}}
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*[[Delius]] (Point of View)
*[[Gennel]]
*[[
*[[Gevin]]
*[[Baon]]
*[[NaiMeer]]
*[[Delius' son]]
*[[Ais]]
*[[Lokkall]]
*[[Vey]]
*[[Autonomy]] (appearance only)
*[[Cynder]] (appearance only)
*[[A'kar]] (mentioned only)
*[[Heelis]] (mentioned only)
*[[Hennin]] (mentioned only)
*[[Raagent]] (mentioned only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton—Khriss'''
:''Farmer's Congress''
Kenton and his party go to visit the [[Lord Farmer]], [[Gennel]]. Kenton has mastered sand and is holding Gennel's steward off of the ground because The Lord Farmer tried to hide when Kenton was announced. Kenton advises that Gennel tell him where to find Lord Vey, or he will have to use his sand on him instead. Gennel (who obviously fears for his life) says that he does know where Lord Vey is hiding, but he was sworn not to tell anybody. Kenton realizes he is being a hypocrit while saying the Diem can change, but still using force when people won't comply. He lets Gennel's servant free, then tries to ask nicely, but Gennel is too scared of Vey to answer him.
:'''Khriss'''
:''Kezare''
Khriss deduces that if The Lord Farmer cannot tell Kenton, he might be able to tell somebody else. She and Baon track down Gevin in the streets. She calls him openly by his name, knowing that his fear of further Dynasty assassins will make him pliable. When he asks if she is trying to get him killed, she reminds him that she no longer has any reason to protect him. However, if he wants to earn her silence, then he has one hour to get the information they need from the Lord Farmer, or whatever source he chooses.
:''Over an hour later—The Diem''
Khriss arrives at the Lord Mastrell's apartments as they are discussing possible places Lord Vey may be hiding. She informs him that ''her'' sources indicate that Lord Vey has fled to [[Lraezare]].
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Docks''
The group goes to the port, and Kenton tries asking Dockmaster [[NaiMeer]] for a ship to Lraezare. NaiMeer refuses him passage, stressing that while there are ships heading toward Lraezare, none have space for a sand master—and ships are the one transportation that sand masters cannot commandeer. Delius arrives and greets "Lord Vey's favorite nephew" while informing him that he has business with the [[Shipowners' Circle]] in Lraezare and reminds him that the Lord Admiral absolutely can commandeer any ship. Delius then 'innocently' asks if the Lord Mastrell's party would like to accompany him. Kenton takes him up on the offer.
As the ship leaves port, Kenton considers if the Lord Admiral's drunkeness is an act and whether he is a reliable ally.
:'''Khriss'''
:''That afternoon—Southbound Boat''
Kenton decides to try overmastering while they are safe on the ship in an attempt to increase his power. He explains to Khriss that when they first met, it was after he had overmastered during the attack on the Diem and that was why his sand mastery was not working while they crossed the Kerla. However, his ability was stronger when it returned. Kenton masters his sand for more than fifteen minutes and then collapses to the deck. Khriss panics, thinking he may be dead, but within a few minutes he regains consciousness and weakly tells her that she can stop shouting now, because he's awake.
:'''Kenton'''
:''Later''
Kenton and Delius discuss the position of Lord Admiral. Kenton admits to attempting to read the Helm's Charter after their last discussion, but could not parse the jargon. Delius relates how the position of Lord Admiral has become a political tool because the true power lies with the Shipowners' Circle. Because they wrote the law to imply that everything in the Helm belongs to the Lord Admiral, which is why he has unlimited food budgets and can commandeer any ship, they strip all of his other possessions so the Lord Admiral can 'focus on duty.' The Circle then "gives" the position to anybody they find threatening to their position.
Delius continues, telling Kenton how he started in the Guild and was a successful enough merchant to become one of few candidates for Lord Merchant; until Vey convinced him to become a partner in a mining venture. Vey then sabotaged the operation until Delius had lost almost all of his wealth; bought Delius' share as a "favor;" and suddenly found lakstone and became rich enough to win the Lord Merchant position. Delius quit the Guild in disgust and joined the Helm. Within a decade he had rebuilt his fortune and had one of the largest fleets on Dayside, so the Circle "promoted" him to Lord Admiral so they could commit "legal theft through the bestowal of honor."
Delius then explains that grapes are a Darkside import and growing them to make wine on Dayside is prohibitively expensive in both money and water; that is why he drinks so much and always opposes Vey on the Council.
:'''Khriss'''
:''On the other side of the ship''
Khriss and Aarik discuss Kenton's overmastery. Aarik tells her that Kenton should never have accepted the Lord Mastrell position, because responsibility will suck the soul from a person and prevent them from ever reaching their potential. Khriss argues that somebody must bear responsibility. Aarik does not seem to be hearing her anymore as he continues to state that Kenton should have been free after the attack on the Diem, and that nothing is worth having responsibility over the lives and deaths of people; much less having to kill so the people you lead do not bear that cost. Aarik quickly departs hoping that Kenton can escape responsibility before it destroys him.
:'''Kenton'''
:''Below Deck''
Kenton speaks with Ais about KerKor law. Ais relates how it specifically states that assassins may attack on every odd day; but a cursory read might lead somebody to belive it meant "must wait at least one day." Kenton explains his theory on how maybe the assassins are being led by someone who isn't Kerztian and perhaps that is why they violated the rules of the KerKor—they recently converted and have not been reading the holy text all of their lives. Kenton continues and asks what if the "new and progressive" A'kar made a deal with Drile to help end the Diem, then Drile could lead his followers away from Lossand to the Rim Kingdons. Ais scoffs at the possibility because no Kerztian, especially the A'kar would make a deal with a sand master—even to achieve that end.
Kenton then takes a rest to try to recover more quickly from his overmastering.
:''Lraezare''
Kenton awakes after they have arrived in Lraezare. As Kenton gains the deck, he hears Delius telling the pier steward that they won't stay too long, because they have to return in time for the Coucil meeting. As Aarik and the others return from scouting the town, the steward sprints away. Aarik explains that they have gone to town and found breakfast. They also found where Vey is hiding: at the house of [[Lokkall]]. Delius says that's fortunate because Lokkall is the head of the Shipowners' Circle.
:''Shipowner's Circle''
The group arrives at Lokkall's house, and he tries to deny knowing where Vey is. Kenton, frustrated, announces loudly that if Vey won't speak with him, he will turn over his father's ledger to the Lady Judge. Vey appears from a room upstairs and asks Kenton to come speak with him privately. Kenton asks Ais to come with him to act as a witness.
:''Private Office''
Kenton guesses that Vey owes the 5,000,000 lak to the Diem and not vice versa; because when a person becomes Lord Merchant they inherit the wealth of the previous Lord Merchant, and likely their predecessor's debt as well. Vey tells Kenton the story of [[Hennin]], an idiot who only became Lord Merchant because he inherited fortunes from both of his parents despite having no sense for business. A previous Lord Mastrell used the tribute money to open a savings account, but Hennin squandered the principal sum on bad investments. The Lord Judge at the time ruled that all monies and interest were owed to the Diem from the office of the Lord Merchant. Since the sums are so high—no Lord Merchant has ever been able to pay down the debt and every Lord Mastrell has since used that debt as blackmail.
Kenton forgives the debt without any strings attached and asks for a 2,000,000 lak loan to pay off the Diem's other debts. The Diem will begin earning income working with the other professions for the good of Lossand. The Lord Merchant notes that if he does not vote for the Diem, then he can never make money from such a loan. Kenton realizes that his combined Kerztian and business sensibilities won't allow Vey to consider a "gift," but a trade both mollifies Vey's conscience and gives him a way to account for his actions to the Kelzin. Vey notes that he will continue to curse the Diem in public, until he votes to reinstate the Diem.
As they depart, Kenton asks Vey where the Lord General is staying in Lraezare. Lord Vey says they did not travel together, and he didn't know Raagent was in Lraezare.
:'''Delius—Kenton'''
:''Shipowner's Circle''
Meanwhile Lokkall tells Delius that the Circle had "need" of his ship, and it has already set sail without them: leaving their possessions on the docks. Delius responds that he'll simply commandeer another ship as is his right as Lord Admiral. Lokkall says that the Circle has unanimously decided to remove him from his position as Taisha of the Helm both because of his drunkeness and because of his professed support for the Diem. As Kenton, Ais, and Vey return, Delius manipulates Lokkall into repeating (in front of a Hall witness) that he has been ''released'' from the position of Lord Admiral. Lokkall gloats and says that it also means they are all stranded in Lraezare.
Delius, suddenly sober, immediately asks his "steward" for the "documents." While Lokkall continues to mock him, Delius signs the documents, then asks Ais , in her position as a representative of the Hall, to verify their legality. Lokkall repeatedly questions why the contents of the documents would need ratification. Delius reminds him that while the Charter forbids the Lord Admiral from owning any property, it never forbade his servants anything. Since his son was also his steward, the documents Delius signed transferred ownership of an entire fleet of ships to him from his son, twelve of which are currently docked in Lraezare. He then tells his son to order the entire fleet (not just the twelve at Lraezare) to blockade the port of Kezare for the "foreseeable future"—at least a month.
The Circle goes into a panic upon hearing this. Delius reminds Lokkall that when you steal a man's fortune and place him in a figurehead position that is mocked by all, you should not give him five years to plan then provide a chance for revenge. Delius then addresses the rest of the Circle and nominates Lokkall as new Lord Admiral, reminding them that he may rescind his "hasty" orders if they agree. It's unanimous. Delius then tells Lokkall that he will hold all of his ships on his behalf. If he votes for the Diem, he will return them to him and vote a new Lord Admiral in his place. Delius notes that it is more mercy than the Circle ever gave to him.
:'''Kenton'''
:''Lraezare''
As everybody returns to the port, Kenton tells Khriss about the deal with Lord Vey, explaining that the debt was accrued dishonestly and the Diem never should have received tribute in the first place. The group then boards Delius's fastest ship, the Kalgin, and starts back toward Kezare to find the missing Lord General before it's too late.
{{anchor|Chapter 16}}
=== Chapter 16: The Cruel Potentials ===
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[Baon]]
*[[Vey]]
*[[
*[[Khrissalla]]
*[[Aarik]]
*[[Delius]]
*[[Lokmlen]]
*[[Gremt]]
*[[Raagent]]
*[[Delius' son]] (appearance only)
*[[Sharezan]] (mentioned only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton—Ais'''
:''Northbound Boat''
The ship is boarded by Kerztian assassins who immediately start attacking the crew. Ais sees the assassin's boat pull up next to their ship through the porthole, and she and Baon try to get to the deck, but find the attackers have barred the door to prevent reinforcements. Lord Vey asks Professor Cynder why Kenton isn't mastering sand, and Cynder replies in halting Lossandin that Kenton is recovering. Kenton throws some sand in the eyes of some attackers, which is not repelled because it was not being mastered. Aarik has taken cover behind some cargo, and listens to the fighting with a pained expression; Delius, his son, and Khiss, are nearby behind another group of boxes. Khriss is talking at Aarik in Dynastic, while Delius thinks she is talking to him and explains that he can't understand her. Khriss pointedly notes that without Baon and Ais, there is nobody to help Kenton against the assassins, While Kenton is thinking about how he expected that overmastering on this trip should have been "safe."
Aarik tackles one of the assassins from behind, grabs his spear and throws it through another assassin and into the bulkhead, pinning the corpse. He then picks up that assassin's sword and dispatches two more, giving another sword to Kenton and they fight back-to-back. Kenton is considering the changes in Aarik once he touched a sword again, and notes that the "carefree wanderer" is gone and only the "Tower trained warrior" remains. The assassins are finished.
Baon and Ais are released. Ais argues with Delius when he suggests the Kerztian Warrior bodies should just be burned. Kenton compromises and says they can place the bodies on their own boat and tow it back to Kezare. Baon doubts Aarik could have been that good of a fighter since he didn't previously show any of the tells of a trained warrior. Aarik keeps the sword and stows it through his belt, then very formally asks how long the remaining trip will take. Kenton tries to tell his friend he doesn't have to be so formal again, but Aarik just replies with one of his father's favorite aphorisms. Aarik apologizes to Khrissalla for any impropriety he may have shown her before then excuses himself to return to his rooms. Khriss is baffled at the changes in Aarik's demeanor, and Kenton speculates that is part of the reason he fled Dayside.
As Baon and Ais load the bodies onto the assassins' boat, Ais is consumed by her own thoughts. She recalls Aarik's fight with Lokmlen and how she had thought the Sand Lord was showing her a way to fight without giving in to her rage. Seeing the change in Aarik disturbs her because she fears falling to his fate as well.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Next Morning''
Kenton wakes up and finds that his mastery has returned to him and that he can now control five ribbons, not just three. Kenton also notes that he now understands the effects other sand masters had discussed that come with controlling more ribbons, heightened senses and a mental expansion allowing control of many simultaneous actions. But he notes that doing more things at once uses his water faster than combining multiple ribbons to do fewer tasks with more sand behind each task. Kenton finally realizes that five ribbons are still a pittance to Drile's 25 ribbons.
:''Kezare''
Delius tells Kenton they might not have finished the journey without Baon's help at sailing since so many crew were killed. Khriss pesters Kenton about his sand mastery, and he admits that it has returned and his deductions were correct. Kenton laments that he has to find the Lord General in one day and Khriss suggests that they ask Ais to help them find the missing Taisha.
Ais initially refuses until Khriss, though Kenton's translation, reminds her that as a trackt the wellbeing of a missing Taisha should be her top priority, even over guarding Kenton. Leaving Cynder, Delius, and his son behind, the group goes to the Tower.
:'''Ais—Kenton'''
:''The Tower''
[[Gremt]] greets Kenton and initially tries the cover story that Lord Raagent went south with Lord Vey, until Kenton tells him that they have just returned from Lraezar with Lord Vey, who had not seen the Lord General. Gremt says that they don't know where Raagent is and they didn't want to get the trackts involved. Kenton reminds him that a missing Taisha should be above inter-profession rivalry. Ais suggests they start at the Lord General's rooms.
Gremt tells everybody that Raagent was, impatiently, resting from his wounds but was prone to sneaking out to go wandering when he could ditch the guards. They go to Raagent's room, where Ais finds spots of blood on the floor and sees that his bed is missing its sheet. Ais infers that moving a body past the guards would be very difficult and believes that Raagent is still in the Tower. She asks after a basement, but Gremt says they only have a Wine Cellar.
:''The Cellar''
Kenton ponders on how the darkness of the stairwell seems to affect Ais more than most daysiders, who tend to fear the dark, but that Baon and Khriss seem unaffected at all. Since the single lantern is inadequate illumination for a party of six, Kenton calls sand to his hand to make another light source. As they reach the bottom of the stairs, something is noticed against the far wall and the group speeds up to bring the light closer and see what it is.
Ais notes that Lord Raagent's eyelids have been cut off and that he was tied to the wall with his [[shalrim]] bedsheets. She speculates that the wax mounds were candles of different lengths and his eyelids were removed so he could not hide from the ever-decreasing light as each candle burned out. Ais finds traces of [[Kamo]] on Raagent's lips and infers that it was used to make the Lord General die from fright.
Privately, Ais notes that this has all of the elements of Sharezan's tortures. She then makes the connection that if Raagent would have walked with a limp, he may have been her anonymous informant that was due to meet them at the warehouse the other night. She voices her suspicion to Kenton that Sharezan most likley killed Raagent personally.
Afterwards, reluctantly, Kenton asks Aarik to take his father's place so he can vote for the Diem. Aarik, resigned to his fate, says yes.
{{anchor|Chapter 17}}
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[Baon]]
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*[[Heelis]]
*[[Tain]]
*[[Lokmlen]]
*[[Sharezan]]
*[[Mellis]]
*[[Melloni]]
*[[Lokkall]]
*[[Delius]]
*[[Vey]]
*[[Gennel]]
*[[Rite]]
*[[Lady Mason]]
*[[Aarik]]
*[[Drile]]
*[[Elorin]]
*[[
*[[Autonomy]] (appearance only)
*[[Nilto]] (mentioned only)
*[[Raagent]] (mentioned only)
*[[Hoid]] (appearance only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton'''
:''Ferry to the Diem''
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 assassins truly want the Diem to fail, then Ais and the other Taishin are likely to be in danger as well. Kenton leaves them to return to the Diem and takes the ferry back to Kezare.
:'''Ais'''
:''The Hall''
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. He invites her to join him on the raid. Tain hands Ais a zinkall while explaining that Lokmlen finally broke under questioning and revealed the safehouse location. They go off together.
:''Kezare''
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 reminds 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 he 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 "team" 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 in 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 chose duty or family.
Tain tells her that he has had Lokmlen plant a firetrap in the orphanage she grew up in, and he is going to go to her house to kill her family, but she won't have time to save them both. He then instructs his men to hold her for one minute and then let her go. Tain and Lokmlen leave in opposite directions and his men start the countdown. As soon as they release her, Ais follows Lokmlen and desperately searches for another trackt. She is out of breath and panicking when she finds one, but manages, between gasps, to tell him about the fire trap at the orphanage. She then heads for home thinking she has condemned her family.
:''Home''
Praying and out of breath, she stumbles toward her house. When she nears the house, she hears a loud banging sound coming from inside. In a panic, and afraid of what she will find, Ais runs upstairs to the unsecured door. When she gets inside, she sees Tain, holding a sword, being thrown through a wall by Kenton. Ais asks after her family and Kenton, as he uses ribbons to lift Tain into the air by his throat, says they are safe in the next room because he interrupted the assassin. Ais tells him that Tain is not a Kerztian assassin, but is the criminal Sharezan she has been investigating. Kenton offers to finish snapping his neck and Ais asks him to bind him instead so he can face justice.
Ais then runs to her family and weeps with them. Mellis comments that it was lucky her friend came to visit, and she realizes her husband understands the situation better than she does. Ais thanks Kenton and asks why he came. Kenton relates the theory that she and the Taishin may be in danger from the assassins.
:''The Next Day—The Hall''
Ais goes to High Judge Heelis to resign her position. Heelis asks her to keep her job for at least one more day, and Ais agrees. Heelis then asks Ais to accompany her to the duel at the Diem, because it will be important for the leaders of Lossand to understand what sand masters may be capable of doing when threatened.
:'''Kenton—Khriss'''
:''The Diem's Pit''
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 the 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.
Drile notes that Kenton now controls five ribbons, but quickly smashes them aside with less than half of his ribbons, while driving Kenton back with the other half. Renewing the attack, Kenton's ribbons surge forward, only to have Drile intercept each one with three ribbons of his own. Kenton notes that his eyes are already burning, like they had at the attack in the Kerla; just before being thrown to the ground by Drile's remaining ribbons. Kenton realizes that Drile is toying with him to make a spectacle.
Khriss moves toward the guard rail at her seat, and Baon intercepts her, telling her that no matter how horrible the fight is, it is Kenton's choice to defend his people and she has no right to rob him of his choice by interfering.
Kenton thinks about how this isn't a fight, but an execution as he ends up on the ground again, with Drile standing over and saying they both want change but Kenton is too much like Praxton and refuses to listen to others. Kenton asks him to shut up and finish it.
{{anchor|Chapter 18}}
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[
*[[Praxton]]
*[[Drile]]
*[[Elorin]]
*[[Dirin]]
*[[Khrissalla]]
*[[Heelis]]
*[[
*[[
*[[Gennel]]
*[[
*[[Lady Mason]]
*[[Lokkall]]
*[[Delius]]
*[[
*[[
*[[Autonomy]] (appearance only)
*[[Cynder]] (appearance only)
*[[N'Teese]] (mentioned and appearance only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton'''
:''Flashback Vision—The Kerla''
Kenton sees a vision of the day he tested to enter the Diem and considers if it is a dream or a hallucination. Instead of the words spoken then, the vision Kenton and Praxton are discussing the fight with Drile. Vision Kenton says he now agrees with Praxton that he never belonged in the Diem. Vision Praxton reminds Kenton that he claimed to be as good as any Mastrell with only one ribbon and that he is losing not because he is weaker, but because he is trying to be something he is not. Kenton himself thinks about how that optimistic boy really believed he could be as good as any Mastrell with one ribbon. Kenton realizes that it is not how much power you have—it is how you use what power you have.
:''The Diem's Pit''
Kenton stands back up thinking on how he doesn't need more ribbons—he only needs one. On the sidelines, Elorin and Dirin discuss how Kenton is lasting so long while Kenton's single ribbons darts quickly through all of Drile's ribbons, cutting them down. Drile falls and begins to lose his temper. As Drile attacks again, Kenton notes that intercepting ribbons is just like Zo'Ken and that Drile already looks dangerously dehydrated, while his single ribbons uses far less water.
In a move of seeming desperation, Drile attempts to do what Praxton did in the Kerla, and create an explosion of sand to overpower Kenton. Kenton tries warning him that it is too dangerous and he shouldn't do it. Kenton then covers his arm with sand and tackles Drile, causing all of the mastered sand to go stale. Kenton calls for water and a stetcher while Drile asks why and how Kenton saved him. Kenton explains that, just like two ribbons colliding head-on, by tackling him while they were both mastering sand it cancelled all of the ribbons. Kenton them helps Drile to stand and tells him he is ready to listen and work together. Then Drile is carried away on a stretcher, extremely dehydrated.
Khriss makes her way to the sand floor to congratulate him, but Kenton says one battle remains, Kenton turns to the watching Lady Judge and requests that the Taishin hold their vote immediately in the Diem. Heelis agrees after confirming that Kenton will not be able to "quibble technicalities" and if they vote now the decision will be final. High Judge Heelis begins taking the votes. Aarik, Vey, Gennel, Rite, The Lady Mason, and Lokkall all vote in favor of the Diem leaving only one vote.
Kenton relates that he has met her conditions, the Diem's debts are paid (by the Lord Merchant), and the Diem has a single leader. Heelis says there was a third condition, that of gaining the support of the people of Lossand. Heelis says that since she is biased in favor of the Diem, she chose the person in the Hall most opposed to the Diem to be his guard. The Hall's vote will be cast by Senior Trackt Ais, because if Kenton could win her over, then Kenton could convince other citizens.
:'''Ais'''
:''The Diem's Pit''
Ais recalls telling Kenton how he would try to win her favor or build comraderie with her. How, even if he saved her life she would not be blinded to his blasphemies. She then recalls how he saved something far more important. She tells the Judge (and audience) how Kenton not only aided her, but did so while abiding by her terms, so she votes in favor of the Diem. Khriss runs out, telling Kenton how N'Teese had been translating everything for them and congratulates him on saving the Diem.
As Ais walks away thinking she had betrayed her family the day prior and has now betrayed her god, Dirin comes to get Kenton, saying that Drile wants to speak with him.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem's Infirmary''
Drile congratulates Kenton on securing his position as Lord Mastrell and the Diem's future as a whole. Kenton tells Drile that he has good ideas and that serving the people and charging for services helps hold the Diem accountable for their actions. Drile relates that he dehydrated too quickly during their fight—the same effects that killed the Mastrells in the Kerla. Kenton admits that he felt the effects as well. Together, they theorize that someone must have sabotaged their fight so they would kill each other, or possibly overburn and kill the Taishin as well. Kenton realizes that it must have been Elorin, who presented the water at both the promtion cermony and the fight.
:''Elorin's Chambers''
Kenton goes to confront Elorin about the matter. Elorin admits that he poisoned the bowl with [[KaDo]], a Kerztian spice that accelerates dehydration and lowers inhibitions making it more likely for them to act rashly. Kenton asks if he has been the one coordinating the assassins. Then asks why he betrayed the Diem. Elorin says that the Sand Lord appeared to him and he realized that the Ker'reen faith is true.
Elorin relates how he converted six months ago and that was why he gave up the position as head of the Acolents. He stopped mastering sand and allowed people to assume he had burnt out. He says that the A'kar told him to remain in the Diem so he could orchestrate its downfall from within. He then says that because it is a new day, he is allowed to try assassinating Kenton again. Eloring pulls out a zinkall and shoots a terken arrow at Kenton. Kenton dodges while sending a ribbon of sand through Elorin's heart, killing him; but takes a grazing wound to the arm. Ais comes in saying she heard the end of the conversation, to include Kenton's pleas to not attack. In her judgement it was self defense. She then adds that since the head of the assassins is now dead, Kenton should be safe until he makes another powerful enemy. He asks if she would return if the assassins do, but Ais, thinking of spending time with family, tells him she has other important tasks.
=== Epilogue ===
;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Ais]] (Point of View)
*[[Heelis]] (Point of View)
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*[[Baon]]
*[[Drile]]
*[[Mellis]]
*[[Serin]]
*[[Hoid]]
*[[Cynder]] (appearance only)
*[[Melloni]](mentioned only)
*[[Autonomy]] (appearance only)
}}
;Plot Summary
:'''Kenton—Khriss'''
:''Two weeks later—The Docks''
Kenton is preparing to say goodbye to Khriss, Baon, and Cynder, who are boarding a ship back to Darkside. They are also taking several large barrels of charged sand and a few sand masters so that Khriss can further experiment and try to find a way to [[Khrissalla's_Journal#Sand_Mastery.2C_Starmarks_Connection.3F|recharge]] sand on Darkside. They also intend to test people to see if the myth that Darksiders cannot master sand is true. Kenton promises to visit sometime because he has always wanted to see his mother's heritage and discover if he has family on Darkside. Kenton will also need to bring the sand masters back after their contract is complete.
As the boat leaves the dock, Khriss remarks to Baon that she was surprised that Kenton chose Drile to be the Diem's Second, but Baon replies that it is not surprising since having leaders that disagree but can work togther is stronger than having somebody who will never challenge your decisions.
On shore, Kenton tells Drile that he worries he made the wrong descision to not go now; since, he may be good in a crisis, but he makes a poor politician. However, Drile reminds him that he is needed where he is, for now.
:'''Ais'''
:''Home''
Ais is on the roof of her house, praying, and Mellis joins her. She tells him that she plans to travel, alone, to [[Ker Kedasha]] to meet with the A'kar and seek her answers from the Sand Lord. Mellis insists that they go together, telling Ais she never has to do anything alone. When she protests that Lossandins are not treated well in Kerzta's capital, Mellis responds that they can handle it, together. Ais prays a thank you to her god for blessing her with a family she does not deserve.
:'''Kenton'''
:''The Diem''
Kenton and Drile stand together on a balcony, overlooking some of the families of sand masters that are moving into the Diem now that they are allowed to do so. Drile quips that the previous mastrells would not recognize the place anymore, and Kenton tells him that it's not "their" Diem anymore and their insistance on remaining separate from society is what caused most of the problems they faced.
:'''Heelis'''
:''The Hall''
[[Serin]] reports to Heelis that after the Diem's reinstatement, the A'kar's support has crumbled. Heelis remarks that the A'kar is resolute and will likely find a method to come back to power before too long. She remarks that they should be grateful that an unknown greater crisis was somehow averted.
:'''Khriss'''
:''Border Ocean''
On the ship to Darkside [[Hoid]] is playing a song about how great achievements can be made by small actions. As an unnamed Lestrell puts sand in Baon's hand, Khriss recites what Kenton told her of the test for sand mastery—to feel every grain of sand and offer it the water of your body. Baon indicates his hesitence, only to set off a reaction stronger than anybody has seen so far.
Khriss asks if he is all right, and he responds that he is merely surprised.
== Notes ==
<references />
{{summaries|
{{White Sand}}
[[Category: White Sand|+]]
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