The Blade Itself

Back at the Contest, Bremer dan Gorst defeats his younger opponent with brute force, and Glokta collects a hefty return on his bet. Later, Glokta visits the University and meets the heads of its various fields of study. He expresses an interest in “explosive substances,” curious to know whether they could have caused the destruction in Logen’s chamber, but the amount required makes his hypothesis unlikely. He then inquires about magic from a historical perspective, and the administrator leads him to the library. Glokta asks about Bayaz, and the “Adeptus Historical” gives him a history lesson.

In the lesson, Glokta learns that before the Union, the land was a collection of warring fiefdoms. Bayaz became chief counsellor to Harod, the king of one such fiefdom. Under his guidance, Harod unified the factions into one Union and established its governmental institutions. The Adeptus Historical then recounts the tale of the brothers, Juvens and Kanedias; the former was killed by the latter. The 11 Magi are the disciples of Juvens and are sworn to avenge their mentor’s death. Legend tells that Bayaz himself slew Kanedias. The Adeptus Historical pulls out an ancient scroll: a historical account of the story. The story states that after Bayaz defeated Kanedias, he took the key for the House of the Maker, a building that has been sealed for centuries. Glokta takes the scroll from the man, eager to share his findings with the Arch Lector.

Logen wakes to find a stranger in his chamber—Brother Longfoot, “a traveller of the illustrious order of Navigators” (346), who has been summoned by Bayaz. Bayaz tasks Longfoot with chartering a ship to sail to the “Old Empire,” a dangerous journey. Longfoot leads Logen down dark alleys—a shortcut—to the docks, but when Longfoot pulls out Bayaz’s ample purse, it attracts the attention of thieves. Logen handles the situation without killing anyone, and they make their way toward the docks.

Ferro camps on a hillside overlooking Dagoska (a Union city in the outlying province of Gurkhul) while Yulwei scouts ahead to find a way past the numerous soldiers guarding the city. Once he’s gone, she runs. She covers a good distance before she rests in a grove of trees and falls asleep. She wakes to voices—Gurkish soldiers pursuing her. She kills the soldiers, but two more—brother and sister—approach. Her arrows do no harm to the brother—an Eater, she reasons—and he renders her semi-conscious with his strength.

Just as they are about to take Ferro away, Yulwei appears and destroys them both, leaving only burnt flesh and ash. He warns Ferro that Eaters will never stop looking for her. She realizes that her survival depends on his protection after all.

Jezal earns a spot in the finals against Gorst, although his last opponent makes him work hard for his victory. (He is also preoccupied with thoughts of Ardee). Later, while Jezal plays cards with his friends, they make lewd remarks about Ardee, and Jezal erupts in a rage and storms out. One of the men suggests that perhaps Jezal is in love with her; they laugh at the idea that he could love a woman “whose station in life was so far beneath his own” (366). He realizes that Ardee never liked him, and that her judgment of him as vain and spoiled is on target. He resolves to change her mind.

Glokta dreams. In the dream, a wraith-like woman demands to know where “the Seed” is. (It was dropped by the Maker when Bayaz casts him out of the tower). However, Glokta has no answer. The woman’s hand closes around his throat, and he wakes in a panic, tumbling out of bed. Later, Severard summons Glokta to the site of a murder, a mutilated body hidden among the bushes near Bayaz and Logen’s quarters. He suspects a possible connection. The Practical also reports on the bank into which Glokta has inquired. It is big and powerful with many debtors—but Severard has found nothing out of the ordinary. Glokta orders him to “scrape up” the remains of the body and take them to the University.

The Adeptus Physical’s autopsy reveals that the victim was “bitten” to death and partially eaten by another human. Just then, Superior Goyle—Kalyne’s replacement—enters with several of his own Practicals. Despite the physical evidence, Goyle and his Practicals intimidate the Adeptus into declaring that the cause of death is only a dog attack. Glokta understands that they want this case buried.

Bayaz and Logen observe the final round of the Contest, and Logen recounts his own deadly duels for Bayaz’s amusement. The match begins, and Gorst’s relentless attacks have Jezal on the ropes. His speed and agility are no match for Gorst’s brute strength. With Jezal down three “touches” to none in a best-of-seven contest, he finally scores a touch against his opponent. Now, Jezal fights like a “man transformed,” faster and stronger, pushing Gorst back on his heels. Glokta, in attendance, suspects that something is amiss, and he thinks that Bayaz may be manipulating the fight. His suspicions are accurate, and eventually, Jezal wins. He basks in the praise—including from Bayaz—and his father is stunned to see the old Magus in attendance. Jezal is dragged away to meet the king, who is described as being decrepit and senile.

Glokta updates Sult on his Bayaz investigation, but the Inquisitor still has many questions and few answers. They seek an explanation for Bayaz’s abilities beyond magic. Glokta then presents Sult with the scroll from the library. They intend to reveal its contents at Jezal’s celebratory dinner in front of all the Union’s royalty: an attempt to expose Bayaz as a fraud.

Logen and West sit next to each other at the dinner, and West probes Logen about Bethod’s tactics. Logen responds that Bethod is “a most cunning and ruthless opponent” (400). For his part, Jezal is bored by the whole affair, and unsettled by Glokta’s accusatory stares. Chamberlain Hoff toasts the guest of honor followed by a theatrical performance depicting the death of Juvens and Bayaz’s receipt of the key to the House of the Maker. Afterward, Sult questions the Magus before the entire gathering, asking where he has been all these years. Bayaz responds that he has served the Union faithfully, although under different names. Sult asks for a demonstration of Bayaz’s magic, but he demurs. The tension escalates, and Logen notices that all the exits are guarded. He anticipates a fight. When Sult demands to see the key, Bayaz draws it out, promising to open the House of the Maker the following morning.