Chapter 38: Lysander
Contains spoilersOverview
Dido exposes Cassius’s true identity using a mask-eating creature and demands the safe’s code to fuel her war. Cassius and Lysander refuse to prevent catastrophe, even under lethal threat. Diomedes honors guest-right and declines to kill them, prompting Bellerephon to invoke single combat, which Cassius accepts.
Summary
Chaos erupts when Cassius lunges for the safe’s access pad and Lysander reaches for a blade. Bellerephon restrains Lysander with his razor until Seraphina stops him from maiming. Dido voids hospitality over their deception as Obsidians force Cassius and Lysander back into their seats.
Dido reveals she identified Cassius through the Bellona razor concealed in the safe, which Seraphina recognized. A Violet produces a gruesli that devours Cassius’s disguise, exposing his face. Cassius admits he is Cassius au Bellona. Dido accuses him of taking her daughter and brother and demands the safe’s combination, threatening a grisly death to force compliance.
Cassius refuses, warning that Dido’s war would destroy her people and that the Gold “flame” is already dead. Dido counters with news: Darrow is outlawed, his allies fractured, and the Ash Lord now seeks peace; she vows to retake Mars and Luna. Lysander aligns with Cassius, reiterating their refusal to open the halcon-7 safe.
Seeking resolution, Dido orders Diomedes to prosecute the bloodfeud. Diomedes refuses, honoring guest-right. Seraphina offers to kill, but Dido denies her. Dido then commands Bellerephon, who publicly challenges Cassius to single combat in the Bleeding Place until one heart stops. Cassius, unbowed, accepts the duel.
Who Appears
- Cassius au Bellona
Unmasked by a gruesli; admits identity; refuses to open the safe; accepts Bellerephon’s duel.
- Dido au Raa
Matriarch exposing Cassius; demands the code; touts Darrow’s fall; orders Bellerephon to seek blood.
- Lysander au Lune
Narrator; tries to resist, supports Cassius’s refusal, faces threats, and rejects betraying the code.
- Bellerephon au Raa
Enforcer who restrains Lysander and challenges Cassius to single combat in the Bleeding Place.
- Diomedes au Raa
Stoic heir who refuses to kill the guests, upholding guest-right despite the bloodfeud.
- Seraphina au Raa
Stops Bellerephon from maiming; knew the razor’s origin; offers to kill but is rebuffed.
- The Violet
Artisan-torturer who deploys the gruesli to strip Cassius’s mask and reveal his face.