Midnight Tides/Chapter 20

Epigraph

It seemed the night would never end during the war with the Sar Trell. Before the appearance of Our Great Emperor, Dessimbelackis, our legions were thrown back on the field of battle, again and again. Our sons and daughters wept blood on the green ground, and the wagon-drums of the enemy came forth in thunder. But no stains could hold upon our faith, and it shone ever fierce, ever defiant. We drew our ranks tall, overlapped shields polished and bright as the red sun, and the one among us who was needed, who was destined to grasp the splashed grip of the First Empire's truthful sword, gave his voice and his strength to lead us in answer to the well-throated rumble of the Sar Trell warcries, the stone-tremble of their wagon-drums. Victory was destined, in the forge-lit eyes of He of the Seven Holy cities, the fever-charge of his will, and on that day, the Nineteenth in the Month of Leth-ara in the Year of Arenbal, the Sar Trell army was broken on the plain south of Yath-Ghatan, and with their bones was laid the foundation, and with their skulls the cobbles of Empire's road... The Dessilan Vilara

Letheras, Eternal Domicile

Within the Eternal Domicile, Brys Beddict and Ceda Kuru Qan discuss the Letherii Army's retreat and coming defense of Letheras. Brys is worried, especially about his brother, and the Ceda says that he must not die.

Letheras, Gerun Eberict's estate

Shurq Elalle waits for Gerun Eberict to return. The Finadd does and upon hearing of the robbery of his estate, he kills his house captain. She trips and gets stuck, and decides to wait the night.

Letheras, Tehol's residence

Bugg and Tehol Beddict discuss Tiste Edur sorcery and the impending fall of Lether. Then Bugg speaks of the Hold of Death, and the sealing of a land that has caused a lack of death. This magic thaws now, leading to Kettle returning to life and a Hold of Death forming at the Azath Tower. Tehol still thinks it is not a good time to crash the economy, and he sends Shand, Hejun, and Rissarh away.

Letheras, Old Palace

Brys speaks with Queen Janall's consort, Turudal Brizad, who claims to be an objective observer. He says to Brys that the Edur will win, and the Queen wanted war because of wealth and destiny. He then speaks of the history of the First Empire and Lether.

Letheras, Scale House

Bugg goes to the Rat Catchers' Guild and speaks with Rucket and Ormly. Afterwards, Bugg goes to the Azath and speaks with a stranger who prevents the T'lan Imass from joining. Bugg wonders why the man stirred himself awake now.

Letheras, Old Palace

The Finadd Moroch Nevath returns to the city. Later he comes to the palace to meet with Brizad. Brizad says he has need of Moroch, and that the Finadd is not trusted since he did not die at the queen's side. That he can reclaim his glory by killing the god of the Jheck that is here in the city.

Letheras, Azath Tower

Kettle needs food and water because she's now alive. Bugg helps her, but not before being psychically besieged by the Toblakai underneath.

Letheras, Old Palace

Brys is within the throne room and observing King Ezgara Diskanar. The king refuses to leave the city and says he would sooner die than retreat. Gerun Eberict arrives complaining about his losses and is given dispatch to quell the riots. He thinks he knows who stole his money. After the Preda warns Brys that Gerun suspects his brother, and the king wants Brys by his side at all times. Brys agrees, but considers that sooner than later they will be dead.