AFTERWORD

Chapter 39

Thirty-Four

Overview

Ekur of cohort Tkalal is promoted from interrogator-librarian to keeper-librarian of the human moiety after the previous librarian is executed. The human survivors are summoned to a massive assembly where they witness a ceremonial display of Carryx hierarchy and learn that their social status and physical forms are determined entirely by their place in society, ending with Dafyd preventing Tonner's execution by breaking his arm and submitting to authority.

Summary

The chapter opens with Ekur-Tkalal, an interrogator-librarian, being summoned to meet the Sovran herself aboard a bone-colored vessel. Upon arriving, Ekur learns that the Ayayeh dactyl is dead and its duties will change, now involving a subject species related biochemically to the human captives and their keeper-librarian. Meanwhile, Dafyd and the surviving humans—Jessyn, Rickar, Campar, and Tonner—learn that Else and Synnia are dead. The next morning, a new, larger Carryx with black-and-red markings arrives with the librarian to take all five humans away. They are transported through the massive world-palace to an enormous amphitheater where thousands of human captives are assembled before a colossal Carryx on a dais, flanked by two massive crimson-and-gold guards. Dafyd recognizes that the green soldier behind the dais is the former librarian of the Night Drinkers, now transformed by advancement in Carryx society. He realizes that the Carryx physically change based on their social status and success. When Tonner impulsively stands and demands a translator, the librarian prepares to execute him. Dafyd tackles Tonner and positions them submissively. To prevent the killing blow, Dafyd breaks Tonner's arm, demonstrating submission and correction. The librarian is then called before the supreme Carryx and executed by the two guards while the humans watch. The humans are returned to their quarters, grieving and traumatized. The black-and-red Carryx—identified as Ekur of cohort Tkalal—enters as the new keeper-librarian and addresses Dafyd as leader, congratulating them on their success.

Characters

  • Ekur of the cohort TkalalInterrogator-librarian promoted to keeper-librarian of the human moiety; visits the Sovran, then becomes the new overseer of the humans after the previous librarian's execution
  • The SovranAppears at the meeting with Ekur; vast and powerful Carryx ruler of the moieties
  • Regulator-librarianInforms Ekur of the battle's end and its new assignment
  • Dafyd AlkhorHuman survivor who witnesses the assembly, recognizes the librarian's transformation, and prevents Tonner's execution by breaking his arm and submitting to authority
  • Tonner FreisHuman survivor who stands and demands a translator at the assembly, nearly executed before Dafyd intervenes; breaks his arm
  • JessynHuman survivor, Jellit's sister; witnesses Tonner's near-execution and is reunited with her brother at the chapter's end
  • RickarHuman survivor who attempts to calm Tonner during the assembly
  • CamparHuman survivor who threatens to break Tonner's other arm to silence him after the incident
  • JellitHuman survivor, Jessyn's brother; brought into the room by Ekur at chapter's end, reunited with his sister
  • The librarian (former keeper-librarian)Human moiety's original keeper-librarian; recognized as the transformed Night Drinkers librarian with three scars; executed by the supreme Carryx's guards on the dais
  • The supreme CarryxColossal Carryx on the dais wearing silver and emerald mesh; oversees the assembly and executes the previous librarian
  • The black-and-red CarryxEkur-Tkalal's predecessor; escorts Ekur to dais and survives, later becomes new keeper-librarian
  • Rak-hundAlien guards who escort the humans and enforce order at the assembly
  • Soft LotharkAlien species serving as guards escorting Dafyd to his rooms
  • SinenAlien species present in the hallway formations during the humans' journey to the assembly
  • The Carryx pilotArtificer who transports Ekur to the bone-colored vessel
  • ElseDeceased human; Dafyd remembers her wisdom while in captivity
  • SynniaDeceased human whose death affects the survivors
  • NölDeceased human mentioned in grief
  • IrinnaDeceased human mentioned in grief