Chapter Summaries

Horace met the Night Witch in Nokstella, where she asked him to investigate why rot was spreading from the Lake of Rot. In exchange for his help, Nokstella let him study its moon records and taught him a sword art inspired by flowing water.

• The Night Witch recognized Horace as Horace Loux and accepted his identity and purpose after reading Rennala's letter.
• The Night Witch explained that rot had grown active, scarlet tendrils were eating into the land, and some of the waterworks had turned crimson.
• The Night Witch asked Horace to investigate what had caused rot to resurge, and Horace agreed in exchange for access to Nokstella's records.
• The Night Witch gave Horace an imitation Flowing Water Sword and arranged for a Nox swordsman to teach him a flowing sword art.
• Horace settled in Nokstella, studying ancient texts about the moon and training to use motion against rot.

Rellana worried about the man who had entered the underground world and tried to distract herself with a walk, where she witnessed Moongrum and Mylithil quarrel over Moongrum’s embarrassing past. She then wondered why her sister had visited the Church of Vows and speculated about whom she might care for.

• Rellana thought anxiously about the man who had gone through the portal and walked outside Caria Manor to clear her head.
• Moongrum startled when Rellana approached, and Mylithil teased him about being jumpy after knights once knocked him over during the academy takeover.
• Moongrum and Mylithil prepared to spar, but Rellana ordered Inquisitor Knights to take them to the confinement cells.
• Rellana continued her walk and wondered why her sister had gone alone to the Church of Vows.
• Rellana speculated that her sister might have fallen for someone, considering and dismissing King Godfrey before imagining a reclusive master sorcerer.

Rellana questioned Loretta about Queen Rennala’s visit to the Church of Vows, mistakenly concluding that her sister had a secret love interest. Loretta kept the real reason hidden and watched Rellana leave determined to investigate further.

• Rellana asked Loretta whether Queen Rennala had visited the Church of Vows because she cared for someone.
• Loretta struggled to conceal that Rennala had gone to seek help with the fated bond between Rellana and Marquis Horace Loux.
• Loretta carefully avoided answering, but Rellana took her evasiveness as proof that Rennala had a secret romance.
• Rellana promised not to spread the rumor and decided to observe her sister for suspicious men.
• Loretta resumed her patrol, helplessly hoping Rennala would make her intentions clearer and Rellana would understand them.

Horace followed a mysterious pull through Nokstella and met a Night Witch, who gave him Nokstella's Moon and urged him to follow fate toward the Age of Stars. He left for his lodgings with the talisman, unsure what the Nox expected of him but intent on studying its power.

• Horace struggled to navigate Nokstella until a strange intuition guided him through the city to a locked silver door.
• Inside, Horace found a Night Witch, who recognized him as a surface dweller and said he was deeply favored by the moon.
• The Night Witch gave Horace Nokstella's Moon and urged him to follow fate, saying the Nox yearned for the Age of Stars.
• The Night Witch directed Horace toward a signpost and closed the door, leaving him to wonder whether his fabricated fate had made the Nox see him as an opportunity.
• Horace sensed that the talisman embodied a lunar concept that could aid his research into creating his own blood moon, then followed the witch's directions back toward his lodgings.

After Horace left, the Night Witch who gave him Nokstella's Moon worried that the Silver Tears had failed to warn her and wondered whether he might be the long-awaited hope. The Cathead Night Witch explained that Horace was not yet ready to become a true Vessel and intended to guide him through his investigation of rot while waiting for the Golden Order to weaken.

• The Night Witch recalled how Horace had appeared without warning and sensed the moon's powerful blessing on him.
• She told the Cathead Night Witch that she had given Horace Nokstella's Moon because she believed fate might have brought him to Nokstella.
• The Cathead Night Witch said Horace lacked a complete Order and was not yet ready to become a god.
• She explained that sending Horace to investigate rot would expose him to the Golden Order's flaws and serve as a trial.
• The Cathead Night Witch told the other witch to wait for the Golden Order's contradictions to create the opening for the age of stars.

Horace used Nokstella’s Moon to develop a Blood Moon within his consciousness, then learned to form its first faint reflection in reality. After thanking the night witch for her help and accepting Starlight Shards, he prepared to leave Nokstella by a safer route toward the surface.

• Horace discovered that Nokstella’s Moon sharpened his comprehension and used it to imagine a Blood Moon within his consciousness.
• Horace shaped the Blood Moon from the crimson mist of the Formless Mother, gradually absorbing and controlling its whispers and corruption.
• Horace learned to project the Blood Moon into reality as a wavering, fist-sized orb, while red spread along the edges of his talisman.
• Horace told the night witch he was leaving and promised to keep the Lake of Rot investigation in mind.
• The night witch gave Horace Starlight Shards and arranged for two Nox Monks to guide him along a safer route toward the Ainsel River exit well.

Horace returned to the surface in Liurnia and headed for the Church of Vows to visit Miriel. There, he arrived unaware that Rennala had told Rellana she was considering making him her prince consort, leaving Rellana shocked and panicked.

• Horace followed two Nox Monks through an underground waterway and reached a lift that carried him to the surface in Liurnia.
• Horace avoided a dormant Lava Golem, spotted the Church of Vows, and set out to visit Miriel.
• Several days earlier, Rennala discussed finding Rellana a reliable partner with Miriel and said Horace was suitable.
• Rellana arrived at the church, mistook Rennala's visits for a sign of romance, and pressed her sister for details.
• Rennala announced that she was considering taking Horace as her prince consort, and Rellana reacted with shock and panic.

Rennala considered marrying Horace, prompting Rellana to protest and realize she had feelings for him. When Horace Loux arrived at the Church of Vows, he confessed his love to Rellana and proposed to her, leaving her to answer.

• Rellana vehemently argued that Horace was unsuitable as Rennala's partner and stayed at the Church of Vows to try to change her sister's mind.
• Miriel suggested that Rellana clarify her relationship with Horace before Rennala made a formal decision.
• Rellana realized that her objections came from her own feelings for Horace and thanked Miriel.
• Horace Loux arrived at the church and overheard Miriel's advice and Rellana's response.
• Horace Loux took Rellana's hands, confessed that he loved her, and asked her to marry him.

Horace and Rellana accepted Miriel’s rings and committed to marriage, with Rennala and Miriel beginning to plan their wedding at the Church of Vows. The discussion turned to the political risks of the guest list, especially whether Godfrey and his formidable retinue could safely attend.

• Rellana accepted Horace’s proposal and took his hand.
• Miriel presented the couple with rings he had prepared, and Horace and Rellana exchanged them.
• Rennala revealed herself as a witness, teased Rellana, and received Horace’s thanks for helping bring them together.
• Rennala and Miriel agreed that the wedding would be held at the Church of Vows and discussed inviting Carian nobles, officials, and Horace’s relatives.
• Horace recommended inviting Stormveil’s ruler only as a courtesy, and Rennala agreed to receive him without excessive ceremony if he came.
• Horace warned that Godfrey’s attendance could create administrative difficulties and bring a huge force, including Crucible Knights, tribal warriors, and possibly Ancient Dragons, deep into Caria.

Rennala arranged two weddings to balance Caria’s security with Horace and Rellana’s family ties. In Leyndell, Godfrey planned a grand trip to Caria, but Marika redirected Serosh to official duties and privately discussed keeping their plans discreet.

• Rennala proposed a Carian wedding at the Church of Vows and a second ceremony in Leyndell, and Horace agreed.
• Godfrey celebrated the wedding news by ordering the Crucible Knights, tribal elders, and Froesanks to prepare for a grand journey to Caria.
• Marika gave Serosh urgent paperwork, leaving him to handle state affairs while she and Godfrey left the hall.
• Marika warned Godfrey that Serosh had noticed their attempt to keep a low profile, and they discussed taking Froesanks to explain matters to Asei.
• Marika said Serosh’s growing efficiency worried her because it could leave him time to revive lessons in governance and the Law for Godwyn.

Godfrey and Marika decided Godwyn had to remain in Leyndell and keep up his image as a perfect, martial prince, while they continued to watch Serosh warily. Godwyn received an invitation to Horace Loux's wedding in Caria, then immediately challenged Devonia to spar.

• Godfrey rejected Marika's suggestion to send Godwyn away, fearing his unexplained departure would draw the Two Fingers' suspicion.
• Godfrey and Marika agreed that Froesanks should stay with Godwyn and that Godfrey would keep Serosh occupied while they prepared the procession to Caria.
• Serosh overheard signs of the royal couple's suspicions and lamented that they relied on him while keeping him under watch.
• Godwyn lifted Fortissax overhead during training until Devonia arrived with Horace Loux's wedding invitation.
• Godwyn welcomed news of his uncle's wedding, then challenged Devonia to a fight.

Horace returned to Lakeside Town and confronted mounting administrative problems, including discrimination against the Albinaurics and reports of lake creatures attacking patrols. He devised a plan to turn the Giant Crayfish, Crabs, and Octopuses into a military force by seeking puppetry technology from Nokstella or Seluvis.

• Horace returned to Lakeside Town and learned that Uriel and Messmer were overwhelmed by government work and court cases.
• Horace learned that people were resisting Albinaurics serving in patrols, though news of his coming marriage to Rellana had temporarily silenced public complaints.
• Inquisitor Knights reported that Giant Crayfish, Crabs, and Octopuses were injuring and humiliating patrols around Liurnia Lake.
• Horace considered using the lake creatures as specialized troops, with Crayfish as ranged support and Crabs as shock troops.
• Horace concluded that conventional taming would be difficult and considered seeking creature-control methods from Nokstella or redirecting Seluvis's puppet research toward animals.

Godfrey turned the preparations for Horace’s wedding into a tournament that brought excitement and income to Leyndell, while guests across the realm prepared in their own ways. As the wedding approached, Melina endured bridesmaid fittings, Messmer and Gaius considered a practical gift, and Uriel remained buried in reports about attacks by giant lake beasts.

• Godfrey held a citywide tournament to choose who would accompany him to the wedding, and Serosh collected fees that replenished Leyndell’s treasury.
• Godwyn won a place in the tournament, while Froesanks continued struggling through piles of paperwork.
• The Storm King dismissed the invitation to Horace’s wedding and ordered envoys to attend in his place.
• Sellen dressed Melina in a bridesmaid gown, while Lusat prepared a Glintstone Staff and Azur crafted a talisman as wedding gifts.
• Messmer asked Gaius what gift they should give Horace, and Gaius suggested scouting the lake’s giant beast nests.
• Uriel sighed over administrative documents and reports of fresh giant-beast attacks.

On the day of Horace and Rellana’s wedding, the guests waited anxiously for the Golden Dynasty’s delayed procession. Godwyn arrived by leaping from an ancient dragon, and Godfrey’s battered delegation revealed that he had hurled most of them through the air to speed up their journey.

• Horace and the wedding guests gathered at the Church of Vows while Rellana prepared with Queen Rennala and Melina served as a bridesmaid.
• The Golden Dynasty’s procession failed to arrive by the appointed time, and the guests grew anxious.
• Ancient dragon Fortissax overshot the church, and Godwyn leaped from its back and landed in a crater unharmed.
• Godwyn greeted Horace, and Uriel mistook him for a fierce child from his tribe.
• Godfrey and Marika arrived with a dusty, scraped-up delegation, and Serosh told Horace that Godfrey had thrown the procession several miles to hurry them along.

Horace learned that Godwyn had been raised among ancient dragons, explaining why the prince was a wild, energetic warrior rather than the polished figure he remembered. Marika and Godfrey suggested that Froesanks could leave her paperwork duties in Leyndell and work in Caria, leaving Serosh to dread handling the files alone.

• Godfrey proudly introduced Godwyn to Horace and praised his son's strength and skill with Dragonbolt.
• Marika explained that Froesanks had helped care for Godwyn and Messmer by bringing them to the ancient dragons, who took a particular liking to Godwyn.
• Horace realized that Godwyn's dragon-raised childhood had made him wild and free, while Messmer had grown quiet and withdrawn.
• Horace asked how Froesanks was doing, and Godfrey said she was comfortably handling records and writing in Leyndell.
• Marika suggested that Froesanks could visit Horace in Caria if she wanted more room to stretch, and Godfrey offered to let her work there.
• Serosh secretly hoped Horace would take him too, fearing he would be left alone with the mountains of paperwork.

Horace Loux and Rellana Caria married in a ceremony that made him Duke of Caria and secured her inheritance rights to his holdings. After exchanging vows and receiving blessings from their elders, the newlyweds joined the guests at a banquet where knightly duels were about to begin.

• Miriel confirmed that no one objected to Horace Loux and Rellana Caria's marriage.
• Rennala declared that Hesa would become Duke of Caria and gain authority in the kingdom's central affairs, while Hesa granted Rellana inheritance rights to his property and titles.
• Hesa and Rellana exchanged vows before Miriel and formally became spouses.
• Rennala and Godfrey blessed the newlyweds, while the Stormveil envoys realized that Godfrey and Marika had attended the wedding.
• Hesa and Rellana kissed as the guests applauded, and Miriel announced the ceremony's completion.
• The newlyweds joined the banquet, where knightly duels between the assembled factions were about to begin.

The wedding duels impressed the Stormveil envoys, who learned that Duke Horace was Godfrey’s younger brother and recognized the political strength of Caria and the Golden Dynasty’s blood ties. Horace then gave Seluvis a role in his proposed Lake Region Three Great Generals Corps Transformation plan, and Seluvis pledged himself to the duke’s patronage.

• Mylithil stopped Moongrum from joining the duels, then challenged a Crucible Knight herself.
• The Inquisitor Knights surprised the Leyndell knights and Academy students with their strength, speed, and glintstone magic.
• Godwyn defeated Messmer with an Earthshaker, and Melina mocked Messmer before he withdrew into the shadows.
• The lead Stormveil envoy learned from Seluvis that Horace was Godfrey’s younger brother and hurried away to report the revelation.
• Seluvis told Horace about the envoy’s questions, and Horace offered him a role in the Lake Region Three Great Generals Corps Transformation plan.
• Seluvis accepted Horace’s patronage, believing the duke would shape Caria’s future.

Horace considered Caria’s political and administrative problems, the limits of applying science in the Lands Between, and the threat posed by Stormveil. He concluded that he needed to strengthen Caria’s defenses and prepare for possible conflict.

• Horace declined Godfrey’s wine so he could attend to his important business with Rellana, while Godfrey drank the barrel himself.
• Horace recognized Seluvis’s hint that he wanted to join his side and reflected on the nobles seeking his favor.
• Horace weighed the need for noble administrators against his plans to break their monopoly on knowledge and train common people for government work.
• Horace concluded that conventional science offered few routes to major advances in the Lands Between, making native True Magic and incantations more promising.
• Horace anticipated rising tensions with Stormveil after Caria’s alliance with the Golden Dynasty and considered reinforcing the border, preparing the army, gathering intelligence, and coordinating with his brother’s forces.

Horace concealed his plans to recruit Godfrey’s Crucible Knights after Godfrey sensed someone coveting his companions. As the wedding feast ended, Godfrey and Marika offered their support and advice before Horace and Rellana went home.

• Godfrey told Horace he felt someone was trying to lure away his old comrades, especially after seeing Ordovis and the other Crucible Knights.
• Horace suggested the Storm King might be responsible and urged Godfrey to have intelligence watch Stormveil, while reassuring him that the knights were loyal.
• Godfrey accepted Horace’s explanation, teased him about his important business, and returned to the feast.
• As the celebration ended, Godfrey hugged Horace and promised to defend him and Rellana if Caria’s nobles mistreated them.
• Marika embraced Rellana and reminded Horace not to forget Froesanks as she spoke of Godwyn and Messmer’s separate paths.
• Horace watched the Golden Dynasty’s party depart, took Rellana’s hand, and said they should go home.

After their wedding night, Horace left Rellana sleeping and helped Uriel with the manor’s wedding-related paperwork. He inspected the wedding gifts, including a forbidden Godskin Prayerbook, which he secretly put away to study.

• Horace and Rellana shared a quiet, intimate moment after thanking each other for their promises and support.
• Horace woke refreshed while Rellana slept, exhausted from their night and morning together.
• Horace found Uriel struggling with wedding gift records and urgent reports, and offered to handle the reports.
• Horace inspected gifts from Master Lusat and Master Azur, including a Glintstone Staff and Meteorite Glintstone Talisman.
• Horace examined the Bestial Prayerbook, then secretly hid the Godskin Prayerbook to study later.