Chapter Summaries

Arthur and Malinda discussed justice and how to deal with potential enemies while exploring South Los's Old District. After Arthur described an elaborate plan for killing a child and checking for survivors, Malinda praised the idea and asked what made him hypocritical.

• Arthur and Malinda walked through South Los's Old District, whose population and prosperity had declined after the Seven-Year War.
• Arthur used Walking Stick navigation to choose their direction, while Malinda questioned its accuracy.
• Arthur argued that blood debts must be paid in blood and that enemies should be rooted out completely.
• When Malinda asked how he would handle a child, Arthur said every possible choice of a knife and candy proved the child should die.
• Arthur described using disguises to kill any hidden siblings and later check whether anyone had escaped, frightening their Coachman into fleeing.
• Malinda approved of Arthur's plan and asked what made him hypocritical.

Arthur and Malinda joked about how they would handle an enemy before deciding to follow Alma, a young candle seller from the Old District. Alma hurried home, thinking of the kind couple she had met and looking forward to her brother Alvin’s return for the Wintertide Festival.

• Arthur teased Malinda by making her nauseous, and she vomited despite being intrigued by how alike they thought.
• Alma approached to check on Malinda, and Arthur offered her a piece of mint candy, but she ran off without accepting it.
• Malinda mocked Arthur for frightening Alma, then understood that he had chosen the girl as the target of their game.
• Arthur and Malinda followed Alma after wondering what her family would eat for dinner.
• Alma hurried home, thinking kindly of Arthur and Malinda and remembering that her brother Alvin had promised to bring her candy.

Acker received a special reward from Edwin for maintaining perfect attendance throughout the year, giving him hope that he could support his children and repay his loan. On his way home through the Old District, thieves cornered him, and he pleaded to keep enough food for his children’s Wintertide Festival meal.

• Edwin noticed Acker’s perfect attendance and awarded him 30 Sol, meat, eggs, and fine flour.
• Acker planned to repay his loan and give his children a good Wintertide Festival meal with the rewards.
• Acker hurried home through the Old District, but a pursuer followed him and two more people blocked his path.
• Acker offered the thieves half his money and asked them to leave him some food for his children.

Acker killed the three men who attacked him and learned that Boss Tisai and the candle shop granny’s son were targeting his children. After disposing of the bodies, he sensed someone watching and confronted Aivor in an alley.

• The three men beat Acker, scattered his groceries, and began collecting his money while he lay unconscious.
• Acker rose unnoticed and killed their leader and one underling with a thin wire.
• Acker tortured the last attacker until he revealed that Boss Tisai wanted Alvin’s bakery and the candle shop granny’s son wanted Alma.
• Acker used the wire to absorb the three bodies, rolled up their skins, and vanished.
• Acker returned to the alley after sensing a watcher and found Aivor stepping out of the shadows.

Acker and Aivor agreed to work together against the men threatening their children, then discussed how Acker should leave South Los. Aivor privately wondered whether Lady Bana had married Acker to torment him and use their children for revenge, while Erha secretly watched them from the alley.

• Acker put away his Spider Silk, and Aivor urged him to tell Alvin and Alma the truth.
• Aivor offered to help Acker kill the men targeting their children and get him and the children out of South Los.
• Acker thanked Aivor, and the two left the alley together as Aivor advised him to sail away rather than go to the Inner Bay.
• Acker threatened to sew Aivor's mouth shut with Spider Silk when Aivor pressed him about his agreement with Lady Bana.
• Aivor recalled Lady Bana's connection to Acker and suspected her supposed death in childbirth had been part of a plan to torment him and use their children for revenge.
• After Acker and Aivor left, Erha briefly emerged from the alley and slipped back into the shadows.

Young Sherick killed Granny Sherick to prove his loyalty to Hardy, but Hardy then slit Young Sherick’s throat. Aivor tortured Hardy and left the workshop as Alke headed home, where he was met with a shocking sight.

• Young Sherick pleaded with Hardy for a chance to serve him, and Hardy demanded proof while hinting that he should kill Granny Sherick.
• Young Sherick killed Granny Sherick and returned to Hardy covered in blood.
• Hardy praised Young Sherick, then secretly cut his throat with a razor blade.
• Aivor pierced Hardy’s eye with Spider Silk and subjected him to Bloodflow’s torture while Acker left to pursue the fugitives.
• Aivor and Acker departed without stopping in the kitchen, where Granny Sherick lay dead.
• Alke reached his doorstep and reacted with astonishment at what he saw.

Acker returned home and found Alvin and Alma with Arthur, Malinda, police chief Rachellier, and a corpse in the yard. Arthur explained that the scene was connected to the Hite Furniture Store case and asked Rachellier to bring Chief Maltz and his men to handle the aftermath.

• Acker arrived home and saw Alvin's wounded face, Alma tending to him, a corpse in the yard, and Rachellier standing with Arthur and Malinda.
• Arthur recalled how he had uncovered Acker's identity by monitoring Alvin and observing the safeguards in Acker's home.
• Rachellier recognized Arthur's reputation and cautiously greeted him and Malinda, while Malinda ignored him.
• Arthur told Rachellier that the incident was connected to the Hite Furniture Store case and asked him to call Chief Maltz and bring men to deal with the criminals.

Arthur and Maltz began taking control of the Old District by using a police investigation to purge its department and replace its officers. Malinda realized Arthur had maneuvered her into the plan, and Arthur proposed that she send Uls to take over the gangs’ territory and split the gains with him.

• Rachellier agreed to hand the case over to Maltz, while Malinda realized Arthur had arranged their encounter and used her to advance into the Old District.
• Maltz arrived with Dico, Andy, Rooney, Simon, and twenty-six patrol officers, then had them take down the body and begin questioning residents.
• Maltz planned to use evidence against corrupt Old District officers to purge the department and install trusted personnel, with Dico as a leader.
• Arthur approached Malinda, whose hidden smile revealed her anger at being used, and asked whether she disliked their supposed game.
• Arthur told Malinda to send Uls and his people to displace the Old District gangs, promising to split the territory’s gains with her; Malinda froze.

Arthur convinced Malinda that he had planned to share the Old District Underworld’s proceeds with her, while secretly intending to profit from her forces and gain control through the police. After Acker returned in disguise and received compensation from Rachellier, Arthur asked whether Acker wanted to repay him.

• Arthur told Malinda that the Old District Underworld was his real objective, and Malinda pretended she had understood his plan while deciding she needed to trust him.
• Arthur privately thought that Malinda’s share would keep her working for their intertwined interests, while his influence over the Old District Police Department could eventually give him control.
• Acker reappeared in disguise, and Alvin and Alma noticed the marks on his clothes and worried that he had been attacked.
• Rachellier offered Acker compensation in front of reporters and Credos, then praised Arthur as Acker’s rescuer.
• Acker thanked Arthur and offered to do anything to repay him, prompting Arthur to begin speaking to the disguised assassin.

Arthur asked Acker to repay him for saving the family with food, while Malinda had the reporters who were scheming to spread rumors dragged into Small Alley. Arthur secretly cursed the reporters, then the Acker family prepared to invite him and Malinda to dinner.

• Arthur told Acker that he wanted food as repayment for saving the family.
• Reporters speculated about Arthur and Alma and planned to spread rumors about them.
• Malinda's men dragged the reporters into Small Alley and beat them while Dico and the patrol officers looked on.
• Rachellier offered to warn the reporters, but Arthur declined and secretly cast Minor Curse Spell on them.
• Alma asked Acker whether they should prepare dinner for Arthur and Malinda.

Arthur and Malinda shared a meal at Acker’s home, where Alvin presented bread he had baked and received praise for his skill. Arthur offered to invest in Alvin and open a pastry shop on West Merck Avenue if he worked hard, leaving Alvin eager to prove himself and Arthur watching Acker for a response.

• Acker prepared a modest dinner for Arthur and Malinda, and Arthur insisted that the meal was enough.
• Alvin served bread baked with his master’s permission, and Arthur and Malinda praised his baking potential.
• Arthur and Malinda thanked Acker’s family for hosting them, while Alvin vowed to move his family to the safer Shire District.
• Arthur offered to consider investing in Alvin and opening a pastry shop on West Merck Avenue if Alvin learned to make pastries that pleased him.
• Alvin vowed to work hard and not disappoint Arthur, who then turned his attention toward the silent Acker.

Arthur sought to recruit Acker as protection and a political counterpart for his upcoming trip to Inner Bay, and Acker left to consider the offer. While waiting, Arthur and Malinda maintained an affectionate act that reassured her when Alma seemed interested in Arthur, and Arthur became eager to meet Aivor again.

• Arthur reasoned that Acker’s Assassin Bloodflow training would make him an ideal companion against threats from the Golden Lion Family and help him build an image comparable to the Old Lion.
• Arthur, Malinda, Alvin, and Alma ate together, and Arthur consumed bowl after bowl of Alma’s meat porridge.
• Acker stopped Alvin from going to buy more food and left himself, using the errand to think over Arthur’s proposal.
• Arthur asked Malinda to make him porridge in the mornings, and she agreed while Alma and Alvin awkwardly gave them space.
• Malinda advised Alvin about what upper-class people thought of pastries while Arthur scraped the pot clean, then stopped eating when he remembered Aivor’s unpleasant creations.
• Arthur’s eyes lit up when Aivor returned with Acker.

Arthur used his praise of Aivor’s awful cooking to restore the retired assassin’s confidence and win his goodwill. After the others were persuaded to try the food again, Arthur left with a portion intended for Malinda’s breakfast, while planning to pursue his real business with Aivor.

• Arthur asked Acker to let him take some of Aivor’s food home, delighting Aivor, who watched from the shadows.
• After Alvin, Alma, and Malinda complained about the food, Arthur described it as a trial that revealed the meaning of life and improved his strength.
• Aivor believed Arthur understood his cooking, resolved to put Arthur’s words on his sign, and planned to deliver food to him every day.
• Arthur’s speech persuaded Alvin, Alma, Acker, and Malinda to eat more of Aivor’s specialties, and Malinda finished several dishes.
• Arthur told Malinda that the portion they took home was for her breakfast, then left to begin his real business.

Malinda returned to the Old District to take charge while Arthur prepared for a journey to the Inner Bay. Arthur persuaded retired assassin Acker to accompany him, and Acker introduced Aivor as the successor to Assassin Shadowflow.

• Malinda left Arthur at 2 Kirk Street and returned to the Old District, which she and Arthur intended to bring under their complete control.
• Arthur asked Anna to prepare tea and waited for Acker and Aivor, intending to recruit them to protect him during his trip.
• Acker asked whether Arthur had discovered him long ago, and Arthur explained that he was checking for dangers before traveling to the Inner Bay.
• Arthur told Acker that he wanted to protect Malinda because he cared about her, and Acker recognized his own feelings for Bana in Arthur's words.
• Acker agreed to travel to the Inner Bay with Arthur and introduced Aivor as the successor to Assassin Shadowflow.

Arthur secured Aivor’s help and planned for Acker to accompany him to the Inner Bay, while deciding not to contact Amanda’s Cat Friends’ Home. After Acker returned to his family, Alma discovered an intact peppermint candy in her pocket.

• Aivor enthusiastically promised to protect Miss Caesar and accepted Arthur’s suggestion to reserve his finest warrior’s meals for people he approved of.
• Arthur told Acker to prepare for the trip to the Inner Bay, and Aivor warned him that Bloodshadow Thorn would oppose him.
• Arthur considered asking Amanda’s Cat Friends’ Home for help but decided not to disturb its possible former Cat Faction members.
• Aivor and Acker admitted they could not see through Arthur but thought he probably was not a bad person, then hurried home to their families.
• Acker reassured Alvin and Alma that everything was over, and Alma found a beautifully wrapped peppermint candy in her pocket.

Alma was touched by the mint candy Arthur had secretly left for her, while Arthur and Lady Anna prepared for the Wintertide Feast. The chapter ended with Lady Anna cleaning 2 Kirk Street overnight as Arthur went to bed, looking forward to the coming new year.

• Alma found the mint candy Arthur had slipped into her coat and told Alvin and Acker how she had met Arthur and Malinda.
• Acker saw his family moved by Arthur's kindness and resolved on something while looking toward the Inner Bay.
• Arthur discussed the Wintertide Feast preparations with Lady Anna, agreeing to buy food and a pine branch the next day.
• Lady Anna tucked Arthur in and began cleaning 2 Kirk Street overnight while Pendragon stayed awake.

Arthur enjoyed a noisy morning with Lady Anna, Pendragon, and the dogs while considering how to gather enough XP to advance the Great Orange ritual. When Malinda arrived, Arthur proposed that they visit their elders for the Wintertide Festival.

• Arthur woke with Pendragon on his chest and asked Lady Anna to prepare eggs with his favorite breakfast.
• Pendragon bullied Kuliqi and Kili while Arthur waited for Malinda and reviewed the XP he had earned.
• Arthur calculated that he needed 9,995 XP to advance the Cat's Orange ritual to the Great Orange ritual by the pinnacle route.
• Malinda arrived through the Smoke Ring and asked Arthur what kind of training he meant.
• Arthur suggested that he and Malinda visit their elders for the Wintertide Festival.

Arthur asked Malinda about visiting her elders for Wintertide Courtesy and learned the history of her family and her ties to the Countess of South Los. He offered to help her, then quietly called on William to carry out an undisclosed task.

• Arthur asked Malinda whether she planned to visit her elders during Wintertide Festival, hoping to stir up news in South Los.
• Malinda revealed that her parents had killed themselves, most of her elders had been burned to death, and her only family was Aisi Bonaparte South Los, the Countess of South Los.
• Malinda explained that her mother and the Countess were cousins, and that her father, Caesar, had been Grand Knight Commander of the Templar Order on the West Coast.
• Malinda recounted how her relatives imprisoned her parents and tried to take her blood, bones, and soul before Caesar regained his memories and escaped with her and her mother.
• Arthur offered Malinda help with murder, arson, and disposing of bodies, then joked about charging her before she kicked at him.
• Arthur dodged Malinda's kick and silently asked his subordinate William to do something for him.

William successfully became a Corpse Lich and learned that Arthur wanted him to establish secret bases in North County and build an ocean-going fleet to investigate the West Coast. He set out to recruit an army and take control of the Silent Territory, and Arthur gave him the alias Sebastian Moran.

• William completed the dangerous ritual and advanced into an upper-stage Corpse Lich at Entry Rank.
• After praying to Arthur, William received orders to establish bases in North County and build a fleet to investigate the West Coast.
• William vowed to recruit an army, beginning with nearby bandits and brigands, and chose the Silent Territory as his target.
• Arthur named William Sebastian Moran so he could carry out the mission under an alias.

Arthur reflected on Moran's transformation into a Corpse Lich and welcomed Malinda's help preparing for the Wintertide Feast. He sent invitations for dinner at 2 Kirk Street, then took something from his pocket to add to his message.

• Arthur considered Moran's loyalty and the powers and resilience of a Corpse Lich.
• Malinda brought food and decorations for the Wintertide Feast and joined Lady Anna in the kitchen.
• Arthur and Malinda teased each other before quietly parting at the doors.
• Arthur asked Merlin and Gawain to invite Mrs. Susan, Mrs. Camille, and Maltz to dinner at 2 Kirk Street.
• Arthur took something from his pocket as he continued giving Merlin and Gawain instructions.