Summary
Copernicus and Bryan have a meeting with Matthias, Christopher, and Landon. A large Lutin camp has been set up near the mountains, and they are to disband it. Since most of the guard is cleaning up the Equinox Festival, Landon and Copernicus will be joining the mission. Christopher will provide magical support, and Bryan will scout for them. Matthias initially refuses to join, until Copernicus asks him to fight for Kimberly's sake. Christopher also objects to his inclusion; Bryan explains that he is more combat-ready than the other wizards.
After three days, the party of five arrives at the Lutin camp, now fifty Lutins strong. Christopher directs a spell on an adjoining cliff to crush them. The other four charge the Lutins, Bryan attacking with his venom, the other three with swords. Matthias, struggling to focus on Kimberly as he fights, notices Christopher fall to the ground as a Lutin shaman cackles. Horrified, he cracks the lutin's body in two, and checks the unconscious Christopher. A large black lump has landed on his shoulder, unable to be removed. Christopher's body slowly changes to a non-morphic bear, taking his mind as well.
After the battle, Copernicus retrieves the shaman's staff and pouch, and they rest for the night. After three days, they return to Metamor Keep and bring Christopher and the items to Raven at her temple. Raven studies the contents of the pouch. She deduces that the black marbles inside contain magic that strengthens the curse. She dismisses the others, and calls on Akkala for help.
Akkala tells Raven that this healing will carry a huge price, and asks if Christopher would be willing to pay it. Raven assures her that he will, and so Akkala sets her price: a young boy will soon come to the keep with physical and emotional scars. Christopher is to take this boy as his ward, and be their sole guardian. Raven agrees, and with the help of Raven's energy, Akkala replaces the black lump with her personal mark, taking the staff and pouch with her.
The healing has taken a full day, and Raven enlists both Copernicus and Jack to carry Christopher to his room. When he awakens, Raven tells her of the geas he owes Akkala. Christopher tells Raven that he owes her a debt as well, which visibly troubles her, but she leaves instead of explaining.
Characters
Main characters:
- Christopher: A tutor of the Keep. He uses his magical aid to bring a rockslide down on the Lutin camp. He is transformed into a full bear by a shaman in the ensuing battle, and is restored to normal in exchange for an obligation to the goddess Akkala.
Supporting:
- Charles Matthias: A headmaster of the Writer's Guild. He is a pacifist, and does not usually go on patrols despite Thomas's order of mandatory service, but an incident in the cellar has prompted his inclusion in the patrol.
- Copernicus: A lizard morph who often goes on guard duty. He leads the expedition. He prefers to head out on first light.
- Raven: The Lightbringer. She calls on Akkala to restore Christopher.
- Akkala: The Lothanasi goddess of light and healing.
Minor characters:
- Bryan: A scout and cobra morph. He is the discoverer of the Lutin camp and delivers the report.
- Landon: A grey fox morph and a veteran of the Battle of the Three Gates who is trained in close combat. He keeps to himself when not on duty, but occasionally spends the evenings with his friend Christopher at the Deaf Mule.
Important mention:
- Lord Thomas: The duke of Metamor Keep. He has a long-standing order that all able resident must actively defend the Keep.
- Kimberly: Matthias's beloved. To strengthen his resolve to fight, Matthias is encouraged to keep her in his mind.
Referenced:
- Posti, Magus: Two sorcerors for the Keep, much more powerful than Christopher.
- Mark: A child morph.
- Princess Mal: A gender morph.
- Brian: The Keep medic.
- Jack: The armorer who assists Copernicus and Raven by carrying Christopher to his room.
Story Connections
- The "incident in the cellar" refers to the events in Facing Knight.
- This story has two direct follow-ups: Ward, in which Christopher fulfills his geas; and Attacking Cossack, which happens concurrently with the patrol's return to Metamor Keep and follows Charles Matthias's reactions.
- Admissions and Applications takes place 2 days after Easter Sunday, and Matthias had already left the Keep at that time. At the same time, he was unaware of the mission on Easter evening, as seen in Early to Sleep. This makes it likely that the meeting was held on Monday evening; if so, then they set out early Tuesday morning, ambush the Lutins 3 days later on Thursday; and summon Akkala 3 days later on Sunday; Chris awakes the next day, on Monday.
