Golden Son
by Pierce Brown
Contents
32: Die Young
Overview
Mustang and Darrow find Roque mourning Tactus, exposing fractures in their fellowship. In council, suspicion of Victra peaks until Roque and Darrow secure her place. Mustang reveals Augustus was trapped at Ganymede by Olympic Knights, including Cassius and Fitchner, while Pliny prepares Mars’s surrender and Augustus’s execution. Darrow resolves to retake the fleet and Mars.
Summary
Mustang insists on visiting Tactus before the council. Theodora leads them to Roque, who keeps vigil over Tactus’s body. Roque mourns and rebukes Darrow for costly choices, citing Aja’s escape after killing Quinn. He reveals Tactus had reclaimed the gifted violin and planned to play for Darrow, then offers a benediction for Tactus.
In the warroom, Mustang recounts Augustus’s attempt to seize Ganymede’s shipyards. The docks were a trap, stocked not with crews but Praetorians and Olympic Knights. Augustus killed the Hearth Knight, but Cassius—now the Morning Knight—and Fitchner arrived and together cut down Augustus’s Stained and put Augustus bleeding on the deck. Julii ships were present, worsening the rout.
Debate erupts over Victra’s loyalty. Kavax, Daxo, and Lorn urge confining her; Victra bristles, trading barbs with Lorn. Roque intervenes, condemning the hypocrisy and vouching for Victra’s steadfastness since the Academy. Darrow, reflecting on his distance from Tactus, chooses to trust Victra openly, preserving cohesion.
Mustang warns that Pliny now holds the main fleet, gathers bannermen to formalize Mars’s surrender, and will seal peace with Augustus’s public execution in Agea. She stresses that without rescuing Augustus, allies will abandon them. Darrow sets the course: take back their fleet, then reclaim Mars, and asks for ideas.
Who Appears
- DarrowLeader; faces Roque’s anger, chooses to trust Victra, and vows to retake the fleet and Mars.
- Mustang (Virginia au Augustus)Reports the Ganymede trap and Pliny’s surrender plan; presses stakes and urges Darrow to mend things with Roque.
- Roque au FabiiKeeps vigil over Tactus, criticizes Darrow’s choices, then defends Victra and threatens to leave if mistrust continues.
- Victra au JuliiAccused of collusion; refuses confinement, declares loyalty to Darrow, and gains acceptance after Roque and Darrow back her.
- Lorn au ArcosUrges confining Victra and trades barbs; earlier executed Tactus; offers cautious counsel.
- Sevro au BarcaIrreverent lieutenant; suggests ransoming Victra, needles others, but supports Darrow’s decision.
- Nero au AugustusSeen in holo killing the Hearth Knight before Cassius and Fitchner subdue him; slated for execution.
- Pliny au AuHolds the main fleet, convenes bannermen, and prepares Mars’s surrender and Augustus’s execution.
- Kavax au TelemanusAnxious for Augustus; supports confining Victra during the council debate.
- Daxo au TelemanusCautious strategist; questions Victra’s loyalty and advocates her confinement.
- TheodoraGuides Mustang; exhausted aide who honored Roque’s request to grieve privately.
- Cassius au BellonaThe Morning Knight; appears in holo helping capture Augustus at Ganymede.
- FitchnerIn a wolfhead helm; fights beside Cassius to bring down Augustus at Ganymede.
- Tactus au RathDead comrade; mourned by Roque, remembered for reclaiming the gifted violin.