calendrical-heresy

This chapter presents a detailed report from Vahenz afrir dai Noum analyzing the precarious military and political situation within the Fortress of Scattered Needles, highlighting internal ward conflicts, security concerns, and the importance of information sharing. Concurrently, Cheris navigates the chaos of the command center during a siege, managing alerts and strategizing with her commanders, culminating in a controversial plan to use a high-ranking officer as a hostage to infiltrate enemy lines and regain control of a communications post.

In this chapter, Kel Nerevor is held captive and subjected to interrogation while suffering from a state called fledge-null, which suppresses her responses. A letter from Vahenz afrir dai Noum reveals deep suspicions about Jedao, a Shuos assassin who has infiltrated Kel Command and orchestrated a long-term plan involving betrayal and mass death. Cheris struggles with her role and trust in Jedao as she contemplates the horrific casualties of the Siege of Hellspin Fortress, reflecting on the human cost of Jedao's campaigns.