Difference between revisions of "Summary:Elantris"

Princess [[Sarene]] of [[Teod]] arrives in Arelon to find that she is now considered a widow to the presumed dead Raoden, despite the fact that they were only engaged and had never met. She discusses the relevant clause in the marriage contract with [[Ashe]], her [[Seonseon]], who confirms that the contract is firm on this point. She asks a servant of King Iadon, [[Ketol]], to take her to the prince's wake. At the wake, Sarene is not allowed to look in the casket (the excuse given is that the disease was disfiguring), and finds Iadon's absence from the funeral and the funeral's formality suspicious. She contemplates the loneliness of her life up to this point and the city of [[Kae]]. She discusses with Ashe the necessity of her marriage treaty and the alliance it brings to help ward off Fjorden invaders. She is taken to King Iadon, whom rudely dismisses her and hands her off to his wife, [[Eshen|Queen Eshen]], who proves to be a scatterbrained, frivolous woman. After settling in to her new rooms, she holds a conference with her father, [[Eventeo|King Eventeo]], to inform him of the death of her husband. He offers to void the marriage contract for her; Sarene is tempted, but decides that it is best for Teod if she remains.

At Kiin's castle-like home, they are greeted by Kiin's wife [[Daora]], their children [[Kaise]] and [[Daorn]], and Daora's children [[Lukel]] and [[Adien]], and Lukel's wife [[Jalla]]. Over dinner, they discuss the Reod, the fall of the Arelish government, and the changes to Elantris, and how the servants revolted against the Elantrians. Sarene talks of her Seonseon, Ashe, and how Ashe had been passed down to her from her mother.

Raoden encounters Ien, who reflexively reacts to Raoden's raised hand by approaching him, but the Seonseon shows no other signs of recognizing its former master.

After the main gathering ends, Roial and Kiin discuss how impressed they are with Sarene and how she can take Raoden's place as a unifying force for their cabal. Sarene raises the uncomfortable notion that Iadon had Raoden killed and covered it up, and the others agree that this avenue is worth discreetly investigating. Sarene says that she will use her Seonseon to look for evidence of Raoden either still being alive but imprisoned or having died under suspicious circumstances. Sarene is currently using Ashe to explore Elantris, since she want to investigate Hrathen, who has shown curiosity in Elantris, and who Sarene believes is very dangerous and was involved in the collapse of the Duladel Republic.

Raoden reflects upon his relationship with Ien, and observes to Galladon that his seon's aonAon is damaged and incomplete. Galladon and Raoden discuss what they miss most in their former lives, Galladon's home and Raoden's correspondence with Sarene respectively. Raoden talks of his engagement to Sarene, and this discussion leads to the revelation to Galladon of Fjorden's invasion of his home

Sarene explains to Raoden that the people of Arelon are ready to accept a man because he will lead them well. But even so he admits it might not have turned out the same had she not intervened. Questioning who Dilaf is, Raoden first lays suspicion on the Derethi priest about being the one who manipulated his Aon. Asking to borrow Ashe he sends the Seonseon into New Elantris to warn Galladon to be prepared.

Although too late to realize, because as she steps out onto the balcony the Dakhor monks ambush her and Kiin, taking them captive. Dilaf demands Hrathen's Seonseon to communicate with Eventeo and inform him of the terms of surrender. Though Dilaf has no intention of admitting it. He just wants to murder the king and spread chaos throughout. Hrathen is conflicted, and openly revolted with Dilaf's campaign.