Chapter 27: The House of Rage
Contains spoilersOverview
Darrow springs an ambush at Mars’s castle, scattering Mustang’s riders as Proctors watch, while a brutal clash with Pax ends in mutual incapacitation. Mustang withdraws with a handful to hold the keep; Mars secures many captives. In tense negotiations, Darrow rejects moral limits, prompting Mustang’s warning about the Jackal.
Summary
Darrow rides with Cassius and Sevro to Mars’s fog-shrouded castle, openly carrying Minerva’s seized standard to bait Mustang. Antonia leads mounted reinforcements, while Roque circles separately. A Minervan scout flees to warn Mustang, who arrives with riders to hold the keep.
Sevro launches a stealth attack from the mist as Proctors descend to spectate. Darrow charges, sowing panic until Pax au Telemanus tackles his horse and crushes him in a bear hug; Darrow low-blows Pax before both collapse. The melee scatters Minerva, Cassius snatches their standard, and Mars captures numerous prisoners.
Afterward, Mustang retreats inside the castle with six fighters; Mars cannot storm the walls but now holds eleven Minervans. Roque uses Mars’s standard to claim the captives as slaves. Cassius is positioned to deliver Minerva’s standard to Ceres if other Houses intervene, preserving Mars’s leverage.
At the gate, Mustang condemns Mars’s atrocities and warns that the Proctors are watching. Darrow rejects moral appeals and refuses to surrender Ceres slaves or Titus, asserting that power makes law here. Mustang demands justice and safe treatment; Darrow denies her terms. She cautions Darrow about a ruthless rival called the Jackal and urges him to evolve.
Who Appears
- Darrow (Reaper)
Leads ambush at Mars’s castle, wields Minerva’s standard, fights Pax, and asserts power-over-morality in negotiations.
- Mustang
Commands Minerva’s defense, retreats to hold the keep, denounces Mars’s brutality, and warns Darrow about the Jackal.
- Sevro
Launches the surprise attack from the mist, kills without restraint, and manages Mars’s prisoners and standard.
- Pax au Telemanus
Charges on foot, tackles Darrow’s horse, overpowers Darrow until Darrow fouls him; both collapse.
- Cassius au Bellona
Gallops through fog to seize Minerva’s standard and serves as contingency courier to Ceres.
- Roque au Fabii
Coordinates Mars’s forces, claims Minervan captives as slaves with Mars’s standard, and tries to reassure Mustang.
- Antonia au Severus-Julii
Leads mounted reinforcements in the flank attack and coldly dismisses Mustang’s outrage.
- Proctor Apollo
Arrives to observe the battle, heckling from above as the students clash.
- Proctor Mercury
Trails the Proctors with spirits, spectating the fray while students fight below.
- Lea
Supports Roque’s sally into the glen during the battle for the castle.
- Clown
Fights with Mars; is struck hard by Pax during the melee.
- Thistle
Helps subdue prisoners, even sitting atop Pax with Weed to restrain him.
- Weed
Assists in controlling captured Minervans, including Pax.
- Pebble
Present with Mars’s group during the ambush and aftermath.