Summary
Edmund and Terrant wait at the Keep gates for the arrival of their superiors; the patrol master George joins them to report a small group is entering Euper. As the knights approach, Edmund identifies their banner as belong to Jacob Harrick "the Elder", the senior Knight Commander, the second-highest commander in the Order of the Protectors.
Harrick steps forward to meet them. The meeting starts awkwardly as Edmund forgets Harrick has not been informed of their changed appearance. George was a captor of Harrick's during his bandit years, and he shows Harrick no respect. Harrick is angry that Edmund chose to remain without consulting the Order. Edmund leads Harrick past the ruins of the lower ward, which Edmund coldly notes is why he stayed.
Meanwhile, the Long Scouts are replenishing their stocks. Lisa orders several wagonfuls for food for the Long House larder. Misha orders two thousand arrows, and the fletchers offers some arrows recovered from the Assault at a reduced rate. Misha notices several of the arrows are identical and unmarked, and vows to find out who is mass producing them.
Other scenes of recovery are shown. Meredith is doted on by his wife, who wants him to recover for the festival in Glen Avery. Thomas hears a report on the current damage and orders the labor crews to move the debris to an empty quarry in the valley, and also orders a temporary palisade constructed over the breached wall. Jenn helps Andre learn to walk on one leg. Will Hardy assesses the jewels one of a nobleman who needs funds to rebuild his lands.
Harrick arrives at the chapel in time for Vespers. They are awed by the beauty of the church. As Hough greets them and enlists them to help perform Vespers, Edmund worries about his decision as a paladin. Hough's homily speaks of doing service to Eli, and not quarreling over responsibilities to each other or to their office. As Hough continues the service, Edmund wonders if he chose to stay selfishly or to serve guard. Edmund rings the altar bell when the body and blood of Yashua is blessed. His resolve is renewed, but at the end of mass, the knights gather around him as Hough takes the bell and shakes it. It is silent. The clapper is fused in place.
At George's insistence, Thomas meets with Harrick, who officially announces he is here to judge Edmund's decision. Thomas says he has been very pleased with Edmund's behavior and manner, and extends his hospitality to Harrick.
In the courtyard, Misha stares at the empty space on the monument to the Winter Assault victims, where the Long Scout traitor (Baldwin) would have been. Caroline tells him not to dwell on it. Misha tells her that he has stricken his name from the Long Scout records. An honorable burial was more than he deserved.
Edmund sits opposite of Bridgette, teaching her how to speak. Brother Helmun arrives to inform him that he's missed Vespers but praises his devotion to teaching. Edmund tells him that they still don't know her origin or homeland before her capture and torture from Nasoj, even with magic. Prayer has only told him that Metamor is her home now. Bridgette has been listening silently to them; Edmund introduces her to Helmun.
At the ruins of the Jolly Collie, Misha announces that it will be rebuilt with stone so it will never burn down again.
Harrick announces his decision to Edmund and Terrant before his men. He finds that Edmund has made a correct decision, and he will be permanently assigned to Metamor to fulfill his paladin oaths.
Alone with George, Harrick vents his anger for his treatment years ago, but admits to his own mistakes in judgment. He muses how the strange world of Metamor has changed his own views on both George and Edmund. They relax and make small talk on what animal Harrick would want to be cursed as, and how Terrant is adapting to being a woman.
Cast
Main Characters:
- Edmund Delacot. Appears in both chapters.
- Jacob Harrick. Appears in both chapters.
Supporting Characters:
- George. Appears in both chapters.
- Misha. Appears in both chapters.
- Hough. Appears in chapter 2.
Minor Characters:
- Terrant. Appears in both chapters.
- Lisa. Appears in chapter 1.
- Lucy Ringe. Appears in chapter 1.
- Diane, the Long House cook. Appears in chapter 1.
- Thomas. Appears in both chapters.
- Elisha. Appears in chapter 1.
- Meredith. Appears in chapter 1.
- Thalberg. Appears in chapter 1.
- Aldred. Appears in chapter 1.
- Helmun. Appears in chapter 2.
- Caroline. Appears in chapter 2.
- Bridgette. Appears in chapter 2.
Cameo:
- Alec Ringe. Appears in chapter 1.
- Eric Ringe. Appears in chapter 1.
- Georgette. Appears in chapter 1.
- A bull man, a water buffalo woman, and two young boys who help the Long Scouts with their provisions. They appear in chapter 1.
- Jenn. Appears in chapter 1.
- Andre. Appears in chapter 1.
- Will Hardy. Appears in chapter 1.
- Denli. Appears in chapter 1.
- Marc, an Follower acolyte. Appears in chapter 2.
Important Mention:
- Godric Neville Kenward, Edmond's Knight Master. Mentioned in both chapters.
- Kyia. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Yahshua. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Eli. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Baldwin. Mentioned in chapter 2.
Referenced:
- The werewolf that attacked Lisa. Mentioned in chapter 1.
- Finbar. Mentioned in chapter 1.
- Nasoj. Mentioned in both chapters.
- The human who injured Andre. Mentioned in chapter 1.
- The lutin who healed Andre. Mentioned in chapter 1.
- Yanlin. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Edmund's father. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Philip Barquez and Cassandra Philips: two victims of the Winter Assault. Between their names on the Assault monument (lines 236 and 238 on the east face) is a blank space for Baldwin. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- A priest of Caralore. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Harrick's horse. Mentioned in chapter 2.
- Akabaieth. Mentioned in chapter 2.
