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=== Chapter 3 ===
[[Hrathen]], Fjordell gyorn, arrives by ship in Arelon to convert the people to [[Shu-Dereth]]. He has a three month deadline to finish the conversion, or else his god [[Jaddeth]] will destroy the
Hrathen replaces Fjon as head arteth. Hrathen organizes his new office, and ruminates about a holy scroll written by [[Wyrn (title)]] [[Wulfden the Fourth]], containing his orders. Fjon confronts Hrathen, asking for another chance to serve in Kae, but when reading the scroll, realizes that he could not have carried out the orders held within, and takes his leave to return to Fjordell.
Hrathen meets with Fjon's former underlings and realizes how disordered and corrupted by Arelon the chapel's staff had become. He only encounters one arteth with the proper potential, [[Dilaf]], who explained how while he was
After Hrathen dismisses Dilaf by sending him to make sure that Fjon is boarding a ship for Fjordell, Hrathen rereads the scroll with his orders. The scroll states that all of the
*[[bws: elantris-chapter-three|Chapter 3]]
As Sarene is observing court, Hrathen makes an unexpected appearance. Sarene explains to [[Ashe]] that there are only 20 gyorns in the entire Fjordell empire. Hrathen confronts King Iadon, requesting that he convert to Shu-Dereth, but Iadon counters that he believes in Shu-Korath, and thus worships the same god, though Hrathen disputes this. Iadon dismisses Hrathen and his warnings, stating that the time of Fjordell dominance is long past.
After Hrathen departs, Sarene and Ashe discuss Iadon's ignorance of the current state of affairs and Fjorden's growing power. Sarene decides that Hrathen will be a more worthy recipient of her scorn than the
Iadon notices Sarene's presence in his throne room and berates her for being there without permission, but Sarene deflects his anger by feigning simplemindedness along with a mock emotional outburst. She then encounters her uncle [[Kiin]], who she has not seen since she was a child. Sarene and Kiin reminisce, and Kiin invites Sarene to his home to meet his family.
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
*[[bws: annotation-elantris-chapter-5|Chapter 5 Annotation]]
Hrathen and Dilaf discuss Iadon's rejection of Jaddeth, and Hrathen ponders the violent revolution in the [[Duladel Republic]] and wishes to avoid a similar outcome in Arelon. Hrathen inquires about someone who doesn't seem to fit in with the court, and Dilaf explains that is Sarene, from Teod, the homeland of Shu-Koreth, a competing sect that descended from the same parent religion that Shu-Dereth is derived from. Hrathen explains that Sarene could pose a problem, since she represents an alliance between Teod and Arelon that could interfere with the pending Fjordell invasion.
Hrathen and Dilaf visit the boundary wall of Elantris, then return to the Derethi chapel where Hrathen explains his strategy of using the fallen Elantrians as scapegoats by denouncing them as the evil [[Svrakiss]], the souls of the dead who hate Jaddeth, and then unifying the
*[[bws: annotation-elantris-chapter-6|Chapter 6 Annotation]]
Sarene decides to live in the palace instead of her uncle's house. She sets up an easel in the throne room and paints copies of the art hanging on the walls, which aggravates the king, but when she is asked to relocate, she only moves a short distance and continues, and her presence is tolerated as the king has more pressing matters. Sarene and Ashe discuss the king's business acumen and poor prospects of staying in power, as well as Sarene's lack of artistic ability. Lukel, who as a successful businessman has a standing invitation to the court, joins them and they watch the king adjucate a dispute over the ownership of a peasant, though slavery is illegal for the time being. Lukel explains how the nation has become more oppressive since Iadon took power, and that individual landholding rights were eliminated, and wealth redistributed to merchants who supported the king's rise to the throne.
Lukel also discusses the past rivalry between the Merchant's Guild and the Elantrians who had provided free food and services to the population. Sarene speculates that the
Lukel and Sarene then go to lunch at Kiin's house. Over the midday meal, they discuss various schools of art, Sarene's novice ability, and other topics. Kaise, Daorn, and Sarene take a visit to the boundary wall of Elantris, where they encounter a large crowd. Hrathen preaches about how the Elantrians have reverted to baser animal instincts, turning their backs on religion, and Sarene takes the opportunity to start a theological debate with the gyorn, using misleading arguments to break the priest's thrall over the crowd. Hrathen concedes to Sarene graciously and departs, though Dilaf glares at Sarene.
Hrathen professes admiration for Sarene's rhetorical skills. Hrathen and Dilaf debate about converting Teod to Shu-Dereth once their work in Arelon is completed, with Dilaf predicting that Teod would be destroyed by Jaddeth due to their intrasigence.
Hrathen and Dilaf go to a meeting at an inn to form an alliance with some
*[[bws: annotation-elantris-chapter-9|Chapter 9 Annotation]]
Over dinner, the nobles begin their formal meeting, and Sarene joins the gathering after an introduction by Kiin. The nobles display apprehension at Sarene's presence as an outsider, though she assures them of her competence and confidence and that her presence will be a benefit through her ties to two thrones.
Sarene learns of a traditional ritual called the [[Widow's Trial]], which is performed by newly widowed
The nobles discuss various options for continuing their opposition to the king despite being weakened by Raoden's absence, including recruiting a plurality of the nobility, using military force, and at Sarene's suggestion, which is ultimately accepted, freeing their farmworkers to improve their morale and productivity and undermine Iadon's decrees.
Ashe reports information to Sarene that was gathered in a scouting expedition to Elantris, and to the palace dungeons.
Sarene accompanies Shuden to a lavish party at Duke Telrii's residence. Sarene's noble rank allows them access to an exclusive gathering attended by King Iadon, which also includes high ranking
Upon return to the palace, Sarene learns about an intrusion in the kings chambers earlier in the evening.
=== Chapter 15 ===
Hrathen strolls along the Elantrian wall and ponders about Elantris and feels pity for the Elantrians even as he plans to exploit them to unite the
Hrathen meets with Telrii who is having second doubts about his alliance with Fjorden, since he has heard rumors that Hrathen was connected with the disaster in the Duladel Republic. Hrathen counters by saying that the Fjorden could easily conquer Arelon if necessary, but that a peaceful conversion is preferable, and pledges to put Telrii on the throne, and Telrii's doubts are overcome. Telrii warns that Sarene could cause problems, but Hrathen dismisses those concerns, and thinks to himself that she should consider Hrathen an ally instead of an opponent.
=== Chapter 44 ===
Sarene explains the circumstances around Iadon's death, including details of his involvement in the Jeskeri Mysteries. She also talks of how Telrii is in line to sieze the
Spirit presses Sarene on how she had legal standing to marry Roial when that would violate her marraige contract with Raoden, and she counters that it was a political arrangement that dissolved with Iadon's death, and that marrying Roial would provide better for Arelon's future. Spirit is dismayed by this statement. Spirit wishes they were able to contact the outside, and Sarene reveals Ashe, and sends him to the outside to spy and report if Telrii assumes the throne. Ashe returns and advises them that Telrii is now King.
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