The Devils

Brother Diaz sits trapped in his carriage on Saint Aelfric's Day, desperately trying to reach his important audience with the Pope. Stuck in traffic moving at a snail's pace through the crowded streets of the Holy City, he grows increasingly anxious about being late, having already allocated five hours for what he thought would be ample travel time. The city is described as a chaotic maze of religious activity, filled with pilgrims, prostitutes, merchants, and all manner of characters seeking spiritual or material gain.

The atmosphere of the Holy City is vividly portrayed as a place where sacred and profane elements coexist in stark contrast. The streets are packed with flagellants performing public acts of penance, priests arguing theology from mechanical pulpits, and children burning elf effigies in public squares. Brother Diaz's internal struggle with temptation is revealed as he notices the numerous prostitutes, hinting at past indiscretions that may have led to his current situation.

As the bells for midday prayers begin to ring throughout the city, Brother Diaz becomes increasingly desperate, even attempting to bribe his uninterested driver with double payment. His frustration culminates in a prayer to Saint Beatrix, clutching an ancient family heirloom vial while irreverently swearing. The chapter ends with apparent divine retribution, as something crashes onto the carriage roof, sending Brother Diaz face-first into the seat in front of him.

The impact on Brother Diaz's carriage is revealed to be caused by Alex, a thief attempting to escape through the city streets. After botching her landing, she flees through crowds of penitents while nursing an injured ankle, using a stolen prayer cloth as disguise and trying to blend in with the religious processions.

Alex's pursuers are revealed to be Bostro and his thugs, who work for Papa Collini collecting debts. After a chaotic chase through the fish market involving flying pans, spilled oil, and scattered seafood, Alex finds herself cornered in a dead-end alley. Despite her attempts to talk her way out or fight back, Bostro and his men catch her, revealing she took on someone else's debt and failed to repay it. As Bostro prepares to extract payment in teeth or fingers, the situation takes an unexpected turn.

A mysterious figure identifying himself as Duke Michael of Nicaea appears with his servant Eusebius, making the shocking claim that Alex is actually Princess Alexia Pyrogennetos, the long-lost heir to the Serpent Throne of Troy. The Duke notes a birthmark beneath her ear as proof of identity, though Alex appears as surprised as anyone by this revelation. When Bostro and his men resist releasing her, the Duke first attempts to bribe them, then subtly threatens them with his servant's sword, demonstrating that the situation has become far more complex than a simple debt collection.

Brother Diaz frantically rushes through the Celestial Palace's halls, expecting to be late for his papal audience after the street chaos that delayed his carriage. To his relief, he learns he is actually early, as the palace adjusts all schedules to account for the city's perpetual delays. However, instead of meeting with the Pope as expected, he is directed to meet with Cardinal Zizka, the formidable Head of the Earthly Curia, who has cleared her schedule specifically for him.

In Cardinal Zizka's surprisingly austere office, Brother Diaz encounters a grim Knight Templar named Jakob of Thorn and a mysterious woman called Baptiste. The Cardinal paints a dire picture of the world's state, describing threats ranging from Church schisms and squabbling princes to monsters, demons, and the looming threat of elves from the Holy Land. She emphasizes that these unprecedented dangers require extreme measures and unconventional methods.

The true purpose of the meeting is revealed as Cardinal Zizka introduces Brother Diaz to his new role as vicar of the Chapel of Holy Expediency, a secret thirteenth chapel within the Celestial Palace. Despite his attempts to emphasize his administrative background and express reservations, Diaz finds himself unable to decline the appointment. The Cardinal makes it clear that this chapel operates beyond conventional morality, undertaking necessary but questionable tasks for the greater good of the Church. Though clearly uncomfortable with this development, Diaz ultimately accepts his new position, outwardly agreeing that his purpose is 'to do good,' while inwardly questioning what that truly means.

Alex finds herself in luxurious quarters within the Celestial Palace, experiencing an unprecedented level of comfort and cleanliness. As she looks down at the Holy City from her window, she contemplates her dramatic change in circumstances while fighting her ingrained instincts to steal the silver comb left behind by the nuns who cleaned her up. The stark contrast between her former life in the slums and her current elevated position creates an internal tension as she struggles between her thieving instincts and the possibility of a grander destiny.

Duke Michael visits Alex in her chambers and reveals the full scope of her supposed heritage. He explains that she is the daughter of Princess Irene, who was murdered by her sister Eudoxia in a bid for the Serpent Throne of Troy. To prove his claim, he produces his half of a split copper coin that perfectly matches the one Alex has worn around her neck all her life. Michael paints a vivid picture of Troy's grandeur, describing its Pillar, Hanging Gardens, and the great lighthouse known as the Pharos, attempting to entice Alex with visions of her rightful inheritance.

Though outwardly playing the part of the moved and grateful long-lost princess, Alex's inner monologue reveals her skepticism and opportunistic approach to the situation. She views her newfound 'uncle' and royal identity as a convenient escape from her mounting debts to Papa Collini, the Queen of Clubs, and Little Suze, who would collectively extract a brutal price for her unpaid debts. While she plans to exploit the situation for as long as possible before eventually abandoning her supposed uncle, she can't help but feel drawn to the possibility of a grander destiny. The chapter ends with Alex still maintaining her street-smart instincts, secretly pocketing the silver comb while enjoying her temporary elevation above the slums she once called home.

Brother Diaz's pride swells as Jakob first shows him the Chapel of Holy Expediency's stunning upper level, complete with priceless artwork and magnificent architecture. His initial satisfaction quickly turns to apprehension when Jakob reveals a hidden stairway beneath the pulpit, leading to an ancient underground complex built by the Witch Engineers of Carthage.

In these subterranean chambers, Brother Diaz is introduced to his actual 'flock' - a collection of dangerous prisoners kept in heavily fortified cells. These include Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi, a naked magician convicted of practicing Black Art and necromancy; an unnaturally featured elf named Sunny who can seemingly vanish at will; and Baron Rikard, an ancient vampire whose refined manners mask his dangerous ability to mesmerize victims. The facility is maintained by Hobb, an English keeper who manages the prisoners' daily needs.

The true nature of Brother Diaz's assignment becomes clear as Baptiste and Jakob explain that these prisoners are used by the Church for tasks too unsavory for conventional methods. The revelation that his predecessor, Mother Ferrara, died in service due to her inflexible approach serves as a stark warning about the dangers of dogmatic thinking in this role. Brother Diaz, who had hoped for a comfortable position, finds himself increasingly disturbed by his new responsibilities and the realization that he is now in charge of a collection of monsters and criminals kept secret beneath the Celestial Palace.

Alex is taken to a mysterious chamber in the Celestial Palace for verification of her royal identity. In a bright circular room with complex magical protections, she undergoes an unsettling ritual involving two Oracle prisoners who, while in a trance-like state, provide prophetic visions confirming her identity as Princess Alexia Pyrogennetos, one 'born in the flame.' The Oracles' proclamations, though filled with dire warnings about elves and coming trials, satisfy Cardinal Bock enough to officially declare Alex as the rightful heir to Troy.

At dinner afterward with Cardinal Zizka and Duke Michael, the true complexity of Alex's situation becomes clear. While struggling to maintain proper dining etiquette, Alex learns of the political landscape she must navigate - particularly the existence of four dangerous cousins, the sons of Empress Eudoxia, who currently vie for control of Troy. Duke Michael reveals these men - Marcian, Constans, Sabbas, and Arcadius - are powerful dukes with armies, spies, and assassins at their command.

The dinner conversation takes an even darker turn as Alex learns of Eudoxia's horrific legacy of sorcery and forbidden experiments. The former empress had established a coven in Troy and conducted grotesque experiments combining humans with beasts in an attempt to capture and manipulate human souls. While Cardinal Zizka and Duke Michael attempt to reassure Alex by promising her the support of the Church and divine right to rule, she privately realizes she's stumbled into a situation far more dangerous than she initially imagined, involving not just political intrigue but dark magic and monstrous creations.

The Chapel of Holy Expediency assembles for an important ceremony, where Balthazar internally seethes at his imprisonment and the indignity of working alongside what he considers lesser beings. His internal monologue reveals both his arrogance and his plotting, as he manages to secretly acquire a blank piece of paper during the proceedings, already planning his eventual escape and revenge.

The ceremony is led by Benedicta the First, the Child Pope, whose youth and seemingly casual approach to magic initially horrifies Balthazar. Accompanied by Cardinals Zizka and Bock, she performs a deceptively simple binding ritual on the chapel's prisoners, drawing a single red line on each of their wrists. The binding comes with a straightforward mission: to conduct Princess Alexia to Troy, obey Brother Diaz's instructions, and see her enthroned as Empress of the East.

Balthazar's dismissive attitude toward the seemingly amateur binding spell backfires spectacularly when he attempts to resist it, resulting in violent illness. The chapter ends with the elf informing him that the binding 'works better than you'd think,' demonstrating that despite its apparent simplicity, the Pope's magic is far more powerful than Balthazar anticipated. This revelation sets up the tension between the powerful but arrogant necromancer and the deceptively potent divine magic that now controls him.

Traveling away from the Holy City, Alex struggles to maintain her composure while riding side-saddle, constantly aware of the armed guards surrounding her under the pretense of protection. Despite her anxiety, she decides to follow her survival instinct of finding potential allies, leading her to strike up a conversation with Sunny. Their interaction reveals an unexpected rapport, with both sharing snippets of their past experiences and finding common ground in their outsider status.

Meanwhile, Balthazar remains obsessed with understanding and breaking Pope Benedicta's binding, studying the red mark on his wrist that continues to cause him physical distress whenever he contemplates escape. His conversation with Baron Rikard reveals the fate of his predecessor, Estella of Artois, who died attempting to break the same binding, though apparently due to a giant rather than the binding itself. Throughout their exchange, Rikard warns Balthazar about the binding's power while maintaining his characteristic amused detachment.

The journey takes a dramatic turn when Sunny warns of pursuers following half a mile behind. As the situation escalates, Balthazar attempts to break his binding using a crude magical circle drawn with improvised materials on a stolen prayer sheet. His efforts result only in violent illness, and the situation deteriorates further when arrows begin flying from the trees, killing the wagon's driver. The chapter culminates in a chaotic chase sequence, with the group racing toward a walled inn called the Rolling Bear, while mysterious horned riders pursue them. The wagon, now controlled by a panicking Balthazar, careens out of control toward the inn's wall as Baron Rikard attempts to brake, ending with Balthazar being thrown from his seat.

A wagon crash at the Rolling Bear inn transforms the group's journey into a desperate siege as Jakob of Thorn takes command, drawing on his extensive military experience despite his physical limitations and painful memories of past battles. As he organizes the guards and assesses their precarious position, Baptiste confirms their pursuers are numerous and possibly not entirely human, adding to the growing tension within the inn's walls.

The situation deteriorates rapidly as the gates come under assault from monstrous attackers revealed to be hybrid creatures - results of Empress Eudoxia's forbidden experiments. A fox-man breaches the defenses first, nearly killing Alex before Duke Michael intervenes. The defenders find themselves overwhelmed as more beast-men, including a rabbit-woman archer and a massive goat-man, breach the walls and begin cutting down guards.

Inside the inn, the situation becomes even more dire when a powerful sorceress makes a dramatic entrance through the back door, demonstrating terrifying magical abilities by immolating several guards. Brother Diaz, faced with these horrors, discovers true prayer for the first time as he desperately pleads for divine intervention. The chapter culminates in a scene of chaos as the gates finally give way, with Jakob standing alone against a monstrous goat-creature while the sorceress corners Alex inside the inn.

Balthazar regains consciousness to find himself caught between his binding-enforced duty to protect Alex and a powerful pyromancer from Empress Eudoxia's coven. Despite his initial attempts at flattery and diplomacy, the confrontation escalates into violence, forcing Balthazar to defend Alex using his necromantic abilities. In a masterful display of his true specialty, he animates several nearby corpses to overwhelm and ultimately defeat the sorceress, though his actions are driven more by spite than loyalty.

Meanwhile, Jakob of Thorn makes his final stand at the inn's gateway, facing off against a series of beast-men hybrids including a goat-giant and a hound-man. Despite his aging body and numerous old wounds, Jakob demonstrates his martial prowess one last time, dispatching several opponents before being mortally wounded by Duke Marcian, one of Empress Eudoxia's sons. As the situation deteriorates, Baptiste attempts to help but ultimately disappears when the battle turns hopeless.

The chapter reaches its climax as Duke Marcian corners Alex, revealing he possesses a copy of the papal bull confirming her identity. Despite Alex's desperate attempts to deny her royal heritage and plead for her life as a common thief, Marcian prepares to execute her. In a final dramatic turn, Brother Diaz creates a crucial distraction while Sunny, invisible, unlocks the mysterious wagon. The chapter ends with the emergence of a terrifying creature from the wagon's depths, which violently kills one of the beast-men, suggesting a dramatic shift in the battle's momentum.

The mysterious creature from the wagon is revealed to be Vigga, a massive Norse werewolf who unleashes devastating violence upon the beast-men attackers. In a frenzied rampage driven by an insatiable hunger for 'good meat,' she tears through the hybrid creatures with terrifying efficiency, destroying a bull-man, pig-woman, and several others while expressing frustration at not finding the specific meat she craves. Her brutal assault transforms the battle into a one-sided slaughter, demonstrating a level of savagery that terrifies even the beast-men who previously seemed so threatening.

As Vigga corners Brother Diaz and Alex, who are frozen in terror, the seemingly deceased Jakob of Thorn impossibly reappears - still bearing his mortal wounds and arrows - and commands the werewolf to stop with the authority of a stern teacher. The transformation that follows reveals Vigga's more human form: a tall, muscular woman covered in cautionary tattoos who quickly shifts from terrifying monster to an almost childlike state, complaining about being thirsty and having blood up her nose.

The aftermath of the carnage brings several revelations as Baron Rikard emerges looking notably younger, having apparently fed during the chaos. He explains Vigga's nature as a true Norse werewolf, distinct from lesser German varieties, while displaying a remarkably casual attitude toward the devastation. The scene ends with the surviving members of the group surveying the destruction, with Brother Diaz learning that such chaos is not unusual for the Chapel of Holy Expediency's operations.

In the aftermath of the battle at the Rolling Bear inn, Alex sits among the carnage, having switched clothes with a now-dead serving girl as part of Jakob's plan to fake her death. The full extent of Jakob's supernatural nature is revealed as Baptiste tends to his wounds - he explains he was cursed by a witch to be unable to die, a fact demonstrated by his barely-bleeding wounds and extensive collection of old battle scars. Meanwhile, Vigga, now in human form, casually washes blood from her heavily tattooed body by the well, much to Brother Diaz's embarrassed dismay.

The survivors take stock of their situation as Balthazar emerges from the inn supporting an injured Duke Michael, whose leg is severely broken. Baptiste, revealing her background as a former barber-surgeon to mercenaries, tends to his wounds while the group discusses their next moves. Duke Michael warns that they've been betrayed, as their attackers knew exactly where to find them, suggesting someone in the Celestial Palace revealed their plans. The discovery that Marcian had a copy of the papal bull confirming Alex's identity raises the stakes significantly.

Faced with limited options, the group makes the crucial decision to press on to Troy rather than return to the Holy City. Despite Brother Diaz's protests about their unlikely band - consisting of supernatural beings, a reluctant monk, and a former barber - Alex makes an impassioned declaration to continue to Troy, driven by a mixture of defiance and desperation. Duke Michael will return to the Holy City with the surviving guard and stable boy, while the rest of the group commits to escorting Alex. The chapter ends with Alex privately acknowledging she may have made another terrible mistake, but finding herself committed to either becoming Empress or facing death.

The group travels through relentless rain along back roads to avoid detection after their deadly encounter at the Rolling Bear inn. When Brother Diaz assumes they're heading to Ancona as originally planned, Jakob reveals they must change course due to Marcian's apparent knowledge of their intended route. The group discusses various port options, ruling out Naples, Genoa, and other western ports due to pirates, while the Papal States' ports are deemed too risky due to strict documentation requirements.

After much debate, Jakob announces they will travel to Venice, despite Brother Diaz's protests about the city's strained relationship with the Papacy and its reputation for vice. The decision, though controversial, is deemed the 'least worst choice' as the Serene Republic's opposition to the Church makes it the last place anyone would look for a papal-supported princess. Alex supports this decision, demonstrating growing confidence in her role and effectively shutting down Brother Diaz's attempts to assert his authority as vicar.

The group arrives at a massive pilgrim gathering place near Spoleto, where they plan to blend in with travelers heading to Venice en route to the Holy Land. The site proves to be a chaotic canvas metropolis teeming with both the pious and the profane - featuring everything from zealous preachers to prostitutes. Despite Brother Diaz's horror at the moral degradation on display, the group begins preparations to join a pilgrim band, with Jakob instructing them to sell their horses and Baptiste tasked with finding a suitable group to travel with.

Jakob of Thorn's body bears the accumulated damage of countless battles, his internal monologue revealing the extensive physical toll of his long life of warfare. His thoughts detail injuries from crushed feet to lance wounds, while reflecting on a particularly harrowing retreat from Ryazan that shaped his understanding of human nature. Despite constant pain, Jakob maintains his grim determination to keep moving forward, guided by the mantra 'keep the steps coming.'

The group has joined a pilgrim company led by Bishop Apollonia of Acci, a renowned theologian rumored to be destined for sainthood. The company consists of roughly two hundred souls, ranging from wealthy merchants who sent portraits in their stead to poor penitents in fetters, complete with a portable pulpit at the front and a mobile brothel bringing up the rear. When questioned by the bishop about their presence, Alex quickly fabricates a cover story, presenting Brother Diaz as having a special papal commission to guide convicted sinners and providing plausible backstories for their unusual companions.

The chapter reveals new dimensions to the group's dynamics as they maintain their disguises among the pilgrims. Alex demonstrates quick thinking by crafting believable cover stories, presenting Balthazar as a Sicilian merchant who dealt with pirates, Vigga as a reformed Viking shield-maiden, and herself as a repentant thief. Brother Diaz, meanwhile, appears to be developing an admiring relationship with Bishop Apollonia, though the group cynically discusses this development. The chapter ends with Jakob's characteristically grim observation that 'everything ends in tears,' highlighting the continued tension between their holy disguise and their true nature.

Around the evening campfire, Alex demonstrates growing courage by deliberately sitting between Baptiste and Vigga, despite her fear of the werewolf. The group discusses their fellow pilgrims' destination - the Basilica of Saint Justine the Optimist in Cyprus, where devotees climb 414 steps to touch bells forged from First Crusade armor and, on clear days, can supposedly see to the Holy Land. The conversation reveals the complex dynamics within the group, with Vigga's crude but powerful presence, Baron Rikard's sardonic commentary, and Brother Diaz's continued struggle to maintain religious decorum.

The discussion takes a dark turn when Jakob shares his firsthand account of the Second Crusade from over 150 years ago. His testimony reveals the horrifying discovery in Acre's cathedral, where the elves had transformed the sacred space into an efficient slaughterhouse, hanging human carcasses from chains. This shocking revelation provides crucial context about the elves' true nature - they consider consuming humanity a holy duty - fundamentally reshaping the group's understanding of the world's current political and religious landscape.

The chapter concludes with a cynical discussion about pilgrimage and redemption, as the group contemplates the futility of traveling to Cyprus merely to climb a tower, touch some bells, and return home 'absolved of sins.' Throughout the fireside conversation, Alex's internal monologue about everyone being scared provides a framework for understanding the various characters' behaviors and motivations in this world where even acts of faith carry undertones of desperation.

Balthazar Sham Ivam Draxi struggles with his reduced circumstances as the pilgrim company trudges through mountain passes in relentless rain, lamenting the loss of his fine magical vestments and dignity. His internal monologue reveals deep resentment at being forced to participate in what he considers a spiritually and intellectually bankrupt pilgrimage, surrounded by common believers and fellow monsters from the Chapel of Holy Expediency. The physical discomfort of the journey, combined with the constant singing, preaching, and poor conditions, only serves to heighten his sense of humiliation.

The chapter reveals evolving dynamics between the chapel's members, particularly through Balthazar's interactions with Baron Rikard, who appears notably younger and more vigorous due to feeding on pilgrims during their journey. Their conversation exposes both the vampire's casual attitude toward exploiting the 'cattle' and Balthazar's grudging acceptance of such behavior, provided it doesn't affect him personally. This exchange provides insight into the moral compromises and pragmatic alliances forming within the group.

Baptiste's appearance leads to a complex interaction that reveals Balthazar's conflicted feelings toward her, mixing antagonism with unexpected attraction. Meanwhile, his continued attempts to break the Pope's binding spell prove futile, though he maintains his determination to eventually overcome it once he has access to proper magical tools. The chapter ends with Baron Rikard drawing pointed parallels between magic and religion, much to Balthazar's irritation, as the group approaches yet another shrine where pilgrims queue to view relics.

Alex attempts a kind gesture by preparing a simple meal of bread and cheese for Sunny, who has been keeping watch alone in the woods away from the main pilgrim camp. Their interaction reveals a growing friendship between the unlikely pair, with Sunny demonstrating her supernatural ability to appear silently and Alex showing vulnerability about her situation. Their conversation provides insight into Alex's developing character as she struggles with her newfound identity and responsibilities.

Their discussion touches on various members of their group, revealing new dynamics that have formed during their journey. Alex mentions that Balthazar has begun teaching her about Troy's history, though she remains skeptical of his arrogant demeanor. The conversation also reveals that most of the pilgrim company has gone to visit a nearby monastery, reportedly the holiest place in Romagna, where they can view Saint Bartholomew's foot and pay for various religious experiences.

The chapter ends with a poignant exchange about loneliness and connection, highlighting the contrast between Alex's need for human contact despite her distrust of people, and Sunny's comfortable solitude. Their conversation reveals Alex's growing comfort with Sunny, even as she remains uncertain about the rest of their unusual group. The discussion of religious commercialization through relics and pilgrim badges provides additional context about their world while demonstrating Alex's street-smart understanding of how faith can be exploited for profit.

Vigga and Alex venture to fetch water from a nearby river, revealing the complex nature of their developing relationship. Their journey showcases Vigga's complete disregard for social norms and discretion, from public urination to shouting at modest bathers, while Alex attempts to manage the werewolf's unpredictable behavior. Throughout their interaction, Vigga's stream-of-consciousness thoughts provide insight into her fractured memory and the constant struggle with her violent past.

The chapter delves deep into Vigga's internal struggle with her dual nature, revealing how the papal binding controls her human form but not her wolf aspect. Her scattered thoughts frequently return to her mother's teachings and various Norse companions from her past (many of whom she killed), while she battles the constant presence of 'the wolf' that she feels moving inside her ribcage. This internal conflict culminates in a crucial warning to Alex about running away - specifically climbing trees, riding horses, or even jumping down wells - if Vigga ever tells her to flee.

The dangerous nature of Vigga's condition becomes apparent when she becomes distracted by a man changing a wagon wheel, revealing how quickly her predatory instincts can surface. Though she manages to resist the urge to approach him, thanks partly to Alex's intervention, the episode demonstrates the precarious control she maintains over her impulses. The chapter ends with Vigga fully clothed in the river, having forgotten their original purpose of fetching water with the bucket, highlighting both her childlike nature and her severe memory issues.

Brother Diaz attempts to write a letter to his mother about Bishop Apollonia, carefully omitting the true nature of his companions. During a brief respite, he begins teaching Alex to write, starting with the letter 'A,' creating an unexpectedly tender moment that reveals his growing attachment to his unlikely ward. Their lesson is interrupted by discussions of Vigga's latest sexual escapades with pilgrims from the rear of the company.

The peaceful moment shatters when Bishop Apollonia reveals she knows Alex's true identity and demands to take her into custody. The bishop, motivated by Duke Constans's offer of valuable relics and potential advancement within the Church, has orchestrated a trap using both her own guards and various unsavory members of the pilgrim company. Brother Diaz, deeply hurt by this betrayal, launches into an impassioned defense of the Child Pope, finally finding his voice against the bishop's cynical ambitions.

The situation escalates toward violence as the pilgrims form an angry mob, particularly after Balthazar reveals a severed hand and Sunny holds a knife to the bishop's throat. Just as bloodshed seems inevitable, Baron Rikard takes control of the situation by delivering a mesmerizing speech from the portable pulpit. Using his vampiric glamour, he enthralls the entire company with a rambling tale about his past life, Polish castles, and dumplings, ultimately commanding them to forget the entire incident and continue their pilgrimage - with a special curse of eternal itching for Bishop Apollonia. The group makes their escape toward Venice, leaving behind a dazed crowd of enchanted pilgrims.

The Chapel group seeks refuge at a former monastery in Venice, now controlled by Frigo, a man who operates as both baker and crime lord. The initial meeting proves tense, with Frigo's hostile granddaughter and various hidden armed men positioned throughout the building, all carefully observed by an invisible Sunny who scouts the potential threats while maintaining her concealment through careful breath control and strategic movement.

The chapter provides extensive insight into Sunny's character through her internal monologue, revealing her complex relationship with invisibility, her inability to properly smile or interact socially, and her past experiences in a circus where she was treated with contempt. She sees the Chapel group as a kind of makeshift family, performing small acts of kindness for them while remaining largely unnoticed, though she maintains a particular fondness for Alex who has shown her unusual kindness.

The negotiation with Frigo centers around securing passage to Troy, with the crime lord requesting a specific task in exchange - retrieving a white box with a star on its lid from a cursed house that previously belonged to an illusionist. The house has already claimed several of Frigo's men who never returned, suggesting significant danger. Despite Balthazar's protests about running errands for a baker, Jakob agrees to the terms, setting up their next challenge in Venice.

Venice reveals itself as a half-drowned city where every building has become its own island due to the catastrophic failure of an ancient dam. During a boat ride through the flooded streets, Balthazar uses the opportunity to educate Alex about the city's history, revealing Venice's origins as a northern capital of the Carthaginian Empire and explaining how the collapse of that empire, coupled with the elven invasion, led to the city's decline. The historical lesson culminates in the revelation that fifty-two years ago, the ancient dam across the Po River burst, permanently flooding much of the city's wealthy districts.

The group's immediate mission focuses on infiltrating a mysterious illusionist's house to retrieve a white box with a star on its lid for Frigo. Through his magical lenses, Balthazar identifies multiple powerful enchantments woven into the building's structure, including traces of a bound entity and peculiar materials in the walls. The house's ominous reputation is evident in how locals avoid it entirely, with not even birds perching on its roof.

In preparation for the mission, Jakob provides Alex with crucial knife-fighting instruction, teaching her to use her small size and perceived weakness to her advantage. Rather than attempting to match strength with larger opponents, he advises her to rely on deception, encouraging her to act vulnerable and draw enemies close before striking decisively. Meanwhile, Balthazar meticulously plans the operation, demanding specific magical supplies from Marangon, including conjurer's circles, specialized lenses, and even requesting recently deceased twins for some unexplained ritual purpose.

Balthazar meticulously prepares for the infiltration of the illusionist's house, setting up elaborate magical apparatus including conjurer's circles, Eritrean myrrh candles, and inscriptions in both Punic and ancient Greek. While working, he secretly plots to break the Pope's binding, though the very thought causes him physical distress due to the spell's effects. His internal monologue reveals both his disdain for his companions and his excitement at finally having the necessary components for both missions - entering the cursed house and potentially freeing himself.

The chapter's focus shifts to an impromptu deportment lesson as Baron Rikard takes it upon himself to teach Alex how to carry herself like royalty. Through detailed instruction on posture, movement, and facial expressions, he transforms her bearing from street urchin to princess, teaching her to walk with grace and smile with calculated charm. The vampire's expertise in court manners reveals a new dimension to his character, while Alex demonstrates surprising aptitude for the performance of royalty, even modulating her voice to sound more refined.

The lesson is interrupted by the arrival of Jakob and Marangon carrying shrouded corpses - the Visentin twins that Balthazar had requested. The necromancer's excitement at examining the bodies contrasts sharply with the others' disgust, particularly Baptiste's revulsion. The chapter ends with Balthazar requesting Jakob's help in decapitating the corpses, revealing the gruesome practical preparations necessary for their upcoming mission into the cursed house.

The illusionist's house presents its first challenge immediately - the building appears to have no door. To solve this problem, the group uses one of Balthazar's severed heads (prepared with necromantic runes) to communicate with him remotely. After some bickering among the group members, Balthazar manages to dispel the illusion revealing the door, which Vigga then simply opens despite Baptiste's attempts at lockpicking.

Once inside, the group discovers a disturbing scene in a grand dining room: a rotting banquet covered in flies, and two corpses who apparently stabbed each other to death. The situation becomes more complex when they realize they're trapped in a spatial loop - every hallway leads back to the same dining room, complete with identical corpses and decaying food. This revelation forces them to seek Balthazar's guidance once again through the enchanted head, though their inability to properly describe the runes on the walls frustrates him immensely.

Meanwhile, at their base location, Balthazar reveals that the flies are key to the illusion, explaining that they form an 'insect-based warding involving a limited folding of space.' While appearing to help his companions, he secretly begins preparing a ritual that he hopes will break his papal binding rather than actually assist with the current situation. His mounting digestive issues and physical discomfort hint at possible consequences of this attempted deception.

Inside the illusionist's house, the group becomes trapped in a complex magical illusion that separates them and forces each to confront their personal demons. Vigga finds herself shifting between memories of her mother and her traumatic transformation into a werewolf, including the moment she was forcibly tattooed with warning marks. Sunny experiences a disturbing vision of a masked ball where she's completely invisible to the other guests, highlighting her deep-seated fears of isolation and social rejection.

Meanwhile, Jakob becomes trapped in haunting memories of his time with the Templars, particularly a devastating battle where he led his men against elves. His visions blur together multiple conflicts across time, revealing the toll that centuries of warfare have taken on his immortal psyche. The spatial distortions in the house become increasingly severe, with rooms appearing upside down and hallways leading endlessly back to the same fly-infested dining room.

Outside the illusion, Balthazar attempts to use this opportunity to break his papal binding rather than actually help his trapped companions. While pretending to work on dispelling the house's defenses, he secretly performs two simultaneous rituals - one to suppress the binding's nauseating effects and another to break it completely. His ambitious attempt begins to have dangerous physical effects, with the conjurer's circles starting to glow and the risk of a catastrophic magical accident growing ever more likely.

Balthazar conducts his ritual to break the papal binding, but Alex recognizes his deception and warns Brother Diaz. When confronted, Balthazar responds by magically choking Brother Diaz, leading to a tense confrontation where Baron Rikard refuses to help, instead challenging Alex to demonstrate her leadership abilities. The situation escalates as Balthazar's ritual creates dangerous magical effects, with wind and energy threatening to tear apart the room.

Meanwhile, inside the illusionist's house, the trapped companions experience powerful hallucinations forcing them to confront their deepest traumas. Vigga relives her transformation into a werewolf and faces accusations from the shipmates she killed, including her mother's devastating judgment of her nature. Jakob encounters his younger self as the Grandmaster of the Order, forcing him to confront his violent past and the atrocities he committed in the name of righteousness, culminating in a sword fight with his former self.

The illusions break when Balthazar's ritual fails spectacularly, leaving him violently ill and still bound by the Pope's magic. Alex demonstrates her growing authority by punching Balthazar and forcing him to help their companions, while Brother Diaz reasserts control through the binding. Once freed from the illusions, Vigga and Jakob find themselves having attacked each other, though both were seeing different visions. In a stroke of luck, they discover the white box with the star on its lid that they were sent to retrieve, though Vigga's immediate forgetting of her traumatic vision suggests an unusual gift for selective memory.

Back at Frigo's bakery, the group completes their deal with the mysterious proprietor, though the exchange proves more tense than expected. Jakob expresses concern about potential betrayal and Baptiste displays open hostility toward Frigo's casual attitude. Despite their reservations, they have no real choice but to trust him, and Jakob reluctantly hands over the mysterious box, though notably neither he nor anyone else knows how to open it.

The scene reveals Frigo's true nature as an information broker rather than just a baker and crime lord, demonstrated by his ability to detect Sunny's invisible presence throughout the entire exchange. After the others leave, he engages in a revealing conversation with Sunny, showing both his perceptiveness and his understanding of human nature. His offer of future employment to Sunny suggests he values her abilities and sees potential uses for her talents in his information-gathering operations.

The chapter concludes with a poignant moment between Frigo and Sunny, where he demonstrates an uncanny ability to see through her defenses and identify her deep-seated loneliness. His philosophical observation that no one is truly happy where they are and everyone is lonely reveals both his wisdom and cynicism, while also providing insight into why he's successful in his true business of gathering and trading information. The interaction suggests potential future complications or opportunities for Sunny, should their mission to Troy go poorly as Frigo predicts.

Aboard a ship bound for Troy, Alex shows growing confidence in her role, practicing writing her future title and receiving writing lessons from Brother Diaz, while also displaying pride in her recent confrontation with Balthazar. The journey seems peaceful at first, with Alex even beginning to believe in her potential as Empress, though Jakob maintains his characteristic vigilance.

The relative calm is shattered when a massive Trojan warship emerges and attacks their vessel. The attacker is revealed to be Duke Constans, another of Empress Eudoxia's sons, who possesses a copy of the papal bull confirming Alex's identity - further evidence of betrayal, likely by Frigo. The situation becomes dire as Constans' warship rams their smaller vessel, demonstrating overwhelming military superiority with multiple archers positioned throughout his ship.

As the group prepares for what seems to be an impossible battle, with Jakob organizing a desperate defense and some crew members abandoning ship, the situation takes an unexpected turn. A strange woman with silvery, fish-like features and gills climbs aboard their vessel, introducing a new supernatural threat to an already desperate situation. Meanwhile, Balthazar and Baptiste's interaction below deck reveals a growing connection between them, though their moment is interrupted by the initial attack.

Duke Constans' warship has rammed their vessel, and now the group faces a desperate battle against his forces, which include horrifying hybrid creatures from Empress Eudoxia's experiments. As water floods the lower decks through the breach, the companions split up to face different threats. Alex and Sunny climb the rigging to escape, pursued by crab-men and other hybrid creatures, while Vigga protects Brother Diaz on the main deck, showcasing her incredible combat abilities against various fish-human hybrids including a particularly grotesque octopus-headed soldier.

In the flooding hold, Balthazar and Baptiste encounter a phrenomancer from Empress Eudoxia's coven who uses mind control magic to turn Baptiste against Balthazar. The sorcerer's ability to control Baptiste's actions reveals another aspect of Eudoxia's magical arsenal, while also highlighting the precarious position Balthazar finds himself in, trapped in a flooding hold with a mind-controlled assassin.

Meanwhile, Jakob faces off against Duke Constans himself on the aftcastle, where Constans reveals important information about his family dynamics. He explains that the hybrid creatures were originally Empress Eudoxia's experiments in soul manipulation, which Marcian later repurposed for military use. The confrontation builds to a climactic duel between Jakob and Constans, while above them, Sunny helps Alex evade a persistent crab-man in the rigging. The chapter ends with Sunny accidentally dropping a whale oil lantern toward the burning deck below, promising further chaos to come.

The whale oil lantern's crash onto the deck ignites chaos across the sinking ship as multiple battles unfold simultaneously. Brother Diaz and Vigga engage in a deadly dance against Constans' soldiers, with Vigga demanding weapons from Diaz in rapid succession as she dispatches enemies with brutal efficiency. Their partnership demonstrates both Vigga's incredible combat abilities and Brother Diaz's growing adaptation to violence, though he remains horrified by the bloodshed.

Meanwhile, in the flooding hold, Balthazar faces a mind-controlled Baptiste wielding multiple daggers. Their desperate struggle reveals both Baptiste's formidable combat skills and Balthazar's limitations in physical confrontations. After nearly drowning, Balthazar manages to remove the controlling needle from Baptiste's forehead, only to feel a mysterious stabbing sensation in his own head. Above deck, Jakob engages in a losing duel with Duke Constans, whose seemingly effortless mastery of swordplay proves overwhelming despite Jakob's extensive combat experience.

As the situation grows increasingly dire, Alex and Sunny find themselves trapped at the top of the mast, contemplating a desperate plan to cross between ships using the yard arm. Their predicament is complicated by pursuing crab-men and the increasing angle of the sinking vessel. The chapter culminates in Brother Diaz making the fateful decision to unleash Vigga's wolf form, leading to a terrifyingly violent transformation and rampage across both ships. The Vigga-Wolf's perspective reveals a simplified, primal consciousness focused primarily on finding 'good meat' and protecting her 'monk,' demonstrating both the horror and effectiveness of this last-resort option.

Multiple battles unfold simultaneously across both vessels as the ship attack reaches its climax. In the flooding hold, Balthazar engages in a mental duel with Eudoxia's phrenomancer, who attempts to control him through a magical needle. Though Balthazar initially resists, the sorcerer gains the upper hand by stopping his breathing. The confrontation ends when Baptiste, seemingly still under the phrenomancer's control, suddenly breaks free and kills him with precise knife strikes to the throat and forehead, though this victory leaves them trapped in the rapidly flooding hold.

Meanwhile, Jakob faces a losing duel against Duke Constans on the aftcastle, unable to match the younger man's speed and skill despite employing every trick in his considerable arsenal. As the ship burns around them, Alex and Sunny attempt a desperate escape across the yard arms high above the deck. After a terrifying jump that nearly kills her, Alex manages to reach the enemy ship's rigging, only to witness the mast below beginning to collapse due to Vigga-Wolf's savage attack on it.

The chapter culminates in several dramatic moments as the situation becomes increasingly dire. Brother Diaz attempts to control the rampaging Vigga-Wolf, only to end up diving into the sea to escape her fury. Alex finds herself plunging into the water as the mast finally gives way beneath her. Most significantly, Jakob, realizing he cannot win his duel with Constans, opts for a mutual death, pulling the duke onto his own sword so that both are impaled. The chapter ends with the sea sweeping over the sinking ship's deck, carrying away Jakob's pinned body with Constans still skewered atop him.

Brother Diaz drags himself onto a desolate beach, his body battered by the Adriatic's fury after the catastrophic naval battle with Duke Constans. Despite his exhaustion and despair, he discovers Vigga unconscious in a tidal pool and, overcoming his instinctive fear of the werewolf, manages to rescue her from drowning. This act of compassion marks a significant shift in their relationship, as Brother Diaz finds himself providing comfort to the distraught werewolf rather than fleeing from her.

The two survivors scavenge clothes from drowned oarsmen and attempt to regroup, though Vigga initially resists continuing on, consumed by guilt over her actions during her wolf transformation. Brother Diaz, showing unexpected leadership qualities, manages to console her by acknowledging both her dangerous nature and her magnificence in battle. Their interaction reveals a new dynamic between them, with Brother Diaz discovering an unfamiliar sense of pride in his ability to provide guidance and support.

The chapter ends with a crucial revelation that Alex must still be alive, as Vigga can feel Pope Benedicta's binding spell still pulling at her wrist. This discovery prompts them to begin searching the coastline for other survivors, though Vigga's ominous speculation about Alex's possible condition - whether wounded, burned, or captured - suggests continued dangers ahead. The scene establishes Brother Diaz and Vigga as unlikely allies who must work together despite their mutual wariness, with Brother Diaz particularly having to balance his fear of Vigga's wolf nature against their shared mission to protect Alex.

Alex regains consciousness on a beach after being rescued by Sunny, who reveals she pulled Alex from the water and swam her to shore. Despite being battered and bruised with what she fears is a broken nose, Alex survives her near-drowning experience, marking another instance of her resilience in the face of danger. Their interaction reveals a deepening trust between them, with Sunny gently examining Alex's injuries and Alex expressing appreciation for elves, specifically Sunny, despite their generally negative reputation.

The two survivors begin scavenging useful items from the wreckage washed up on shore, discovering a chest containing Duke Constans's clothing. Alex dons his oversized military jacket, attempting to maintain the royal bearing Baron Rikard taught her despite their dire circumstances. During their conversation, Sunny reveals her belief that both Constans and Jakob likely perished in their duel, though she notes that Jakob's immortality complicates matters, as he could be trapped, crushed, or burned at the bottom of the Adriatic.

Their moment of relative calm is shattered by the approach of eight well-armed figures, one carrying an ominously large corkscrew-like implement. The strangers, who appear to be searching specifically for someone rather than just looting the wreckage, mention a mysterious 'Dane' whose imminent arrival seems to worry them. As the armed group discovers their tracks in the sand, Sunny and Alex are forced to flee, suggesting their ordeal is far from over despite surviving the shipwreck.

Balthazar and Baptiste struggle to reach shore using a makeshift raft constructed from ship's oars and their belts. After a grueling effort against the waves, they manage to reach the rocky Dalmatian coast, though Balthazar emerges from the ordeal without trousers and thoroughly humiliated. Their bickering continues on shore, revealing both their growing familiarity with each other and the tensions that define their relationship.

The binding spell's effects on Balthazar confirm that Alex must have survived the shipwreck, prompting them to devise a plan to find her. Balthazar suggests using a stone circle near Niksic for a divination ritual, despite his admitted weakness in that particular magical discipline. Their journey inland, however, leads them into the aftermath of a significant battle, with hundreds of corpses scattered across a valley and a burned hamlet nearby.

While scavenging for supplies among the dead, Baptiste demonstrates her expertise at corpse-robbing, quickly outfitting herself in fine military attire while Balthazar struggles with simple boot laces. Their scavenging is interrupted by hostile local looters who claim ownership of the battlefield. When confronted by these threatening scavengers, Balthazar finally reaches his breaking point and demonstrates his necromantic powers by raising multiple corpses, using this display to intimidate the looters and acquire a properly fitting pair of boots.

Vigga and Brother Diaz make their way along the Dalmatian coast, with Vigga savoring the sensory experience of walking through the sandy dunes. Their journey reveals a new dynamic between them as they discuss their respective life paths, with Vigga's scattered thoughts and fragmentary memories contrasting with Brother Diaz's more focused perspective. The conversation demonstrates how their unlikely partnership has evolved since they were first thrown together.

In a significant moment of vulnerability, Brother Diaz reveals the true reason he became a monk - not through divine calling but because he got 'the wrong girl' pregnant, and his mother insisted on the monk's vows as the only solution for redemption and family protection. This confession provides new context for his character, while Vigga's dismissive reaction to what she considers a minor transgression highlights the vast differences in their moral perspectives. Their exchange is punctuated by Vigga's characteristic memory lapses and physical expressions of camaraderie that Brother Diaz barely tolerates.

Their conversation is interrupted by the discovery of scattered wreckage on the beach, including a chest of fancy clothes that bears Alex and Sunny's scents. Using her heightened werewolf senses, Vigga tracks their companions' movements, detecting that they were accompanied by several unwashed men. The chapter ends with a tense revelation as Vigga picks up the scent of another werewolf in the area, suggesting a new threat to their already precarious situation.

Sunny conducts covert surveillance on a group of mercenaries hunting Alex, discovering that Duke Sabbas has joined the pursuit with a contingent that includes a dangerous werewolf called the Dane, who can smell Sunny's elven presence even when she's invisible. The hunting party consists of four men, a woman, twin sorceresses, and several other groups searching the coastline, significantly increasing the threat to Alex's safety.

Using her stealth abilities, Sunny manages to sabotage the hunters' pursuit by cutting the hobbles on their horses and causing chaos in their camp. During the ensuing confusion, she poisons their stew with Nun's Worries mushrooms and evades the Dane's attempts to capture her, despite his keen ability to track her scent. The confrontation culminates in Sunny pushing one of the sorceresses into the fire and leading the Dane on a confusing chase through the woods before escaping.

After escaping the hunters, Sunny reunites with Alex, who has been gathering information from local travelers about an ongoing war between the Count of Niksic and a local Countess. Their conversation reveals Alex's growing understanding of politics and her ironic position as a future empress who disdains the ruling class. The chapter ends with a touching moment of friendship between Sunny and Alex, providing a rare moment of connection for the typically isolated elf, while emphasizing the continued danger they face from Alex's murderous cousins.

Following the naval battle with Duke Constans, Jakob regains consciousness in a corpse cart, initially confused and mixing memories of past battles with his current situation. His immortal curse has once again prevented his death, though he remains severely wounded from his duel with Constans on the burning aftcastle. Baron Rikard, looking notably younger after feeding during the chaos, has apparently been watching over him and talking to their rescuers.

Jakob finds himself at a field hospital run by Count Radosav of Niksic and Mother Vincenza, where Baron Rikard has been spinning tales of Jakob's military prowess to secure their assistance. The situation reveals itself to be politically complex, as Count Radosav is engaged in a border war with the Countess of Pec, with the Western and Eastern Churches backing opposite sides in yet another proxy conflict that mirrors the larger religious divisions their mission to Troy was meant to address.

Despite Jakob's reluctance to become involved in another military conflict, Count Radosav offers a deal: help him defeat the Countess of Pec in battle, and he'll assist in finding the missing Alex. The arrangement, while potentially dangerous, seems to be their only option for continuing their mission. Mother Vincenza frames their predicament as an unavoidable heavenly calling, though Jakob's weary response suggests he sees it as yet another unwanted complication in their already troubled journey.

Alex and Sunny find themselves fleeing from multiple pursuit parties after the naval battle, including Duke Sabbas's forces and a dangerous werewolf called the Dane. As they reach the crest of a hill, they discover a town being sacked and burned below them. Despite Sunny's reservations and Alex's own doubts, they make the desperate decision to enter the burning town, hoping the chaos might help them shake off their pursuers.

Navigating through the burning town proves harrowing as Alex and Sunny witness numerous atrocities, including hanged bodies at the town gates and soldiers brutalizing civilians. Sunny uses her invisibility to create diversions, appearing on rooftops to distract soldiers while Alex sneaks past. Their progress through the town becomes an intricate dance of stealth and distraction, with Sunny repeatedly vanishing and reappearing to guide Alex through the chaos, demonstrating the growing trust and teamwork between them.

In a final desperate push to reach the river and potential escape by boat, Alex disguises herself as a soldier using a dead man's cloak and helmet. The ruse nearly succeeds, but their escape is complicated by the appearance of the Dane and his hunting party. In a chaotic turn of events, the Dane's presence actually works to their advantage as his confrontation with the local soldiers creates enough confusion for Alex and Sunny to steal a boat and escape downriver. However, their victory is tempered by the revelation that Sunny has been seriously injured, having been kicked by a horse during their flight.

Balthazar and Baptiste continue their journey through war-torn territory, with Balthazar constantly complaining about his stolen boots, lice-ridden clothes, and their general state of deprivation. Their conversation reveals new dimensions to their relationship as Baptiste shares a rare glimpse of her past experiences with torture, though without her usual elaborate storytelling. Their dynamic shifts between antagonism and unexpected moments of connection, with Balthazar struggling against an unfamiliar attraction to his captor even as he maintains his desire for revenge.

Their journey is interrupted when they're captured by soldiers and brought before Countess Jovanka of Pec, a diminutive but commanding figure accompanied by Father Ignatios of the Eastern Church. Balthazar's attempts to talk his way out of trouble through elaborate explanations only make things worse, especially when he accidentally mentions Troy. The situation takes an unexpected turn when Baptiste recognizes the Countess as an old friend from their days as ladies-in-waiting to the Queen of Sicily, leading to a warm reunion that saves them from imprisonment.

The chapter culminates with the revelation that their destination, the standing stones near Niksic where Balthazar hopes to perform a divination ritual, lies directly between two opposing armies. Countess Jovanka's forces and Count Radosav's army are positioned on either side of the valley where the stones stand, with both camps preparing for an imminent battle. This development presents yet another obstacle in their mission to locate Alex, as accessing the stones would require crossing an active battlefield.

At Count Radosav's camp, Jakob and Baron Rikard observe preparations for an imminent battle between the Count's forces and Countess Jovanka's army. The situation presents a significant obstacle to their mission of finding Alex, as the standing stones they need to reach lie in the valley between the opposing forces. Count Radosav, encouraged by Mother Vincenza and her relic-bearing monks, appears eager for battle despite concerning strategic disadvantages.

Jakob, drawing on centuries of military experience, masterfully manipulates the situation by appearing to give honest military counsel. He methodically points out the numerous disadvantages facing Count Radosav's forces, including poor positioning, unfavorable winds, and low troop morale. Meanwhile, Baron Rikard assists by distracting Mother Vincenza, who had been zealously promoting battle with promises of divine support, through a calculated discussion about Polish dumplings and chapel architecture.

The chapter demonstrates Jakob's evolution from a man who once convinced emperors to wage war to one who now works to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. His careful manipulation of Count Radosav reveals both his diplomatic skill and his understanding that their mission to find Alex would be better served by peace than battle. Through subtle psychological manipulation, including appeals to the Count's pride and fear of humiliation, Jakob successfully plants seeds of doubt about the wisdom of engaging in battle, suggesting that victory might be better achieved at the negotiating table.

Brother Diaz and Vigga arrive at the burning town to find a scene of horrific carnage, with corpses scattered throughout the square in various states of mutilation. As they track their companions' path through the devastation, Vigga's enhanced senses confirm that Alex and Sunny passed through, likely using the chaos of the sacking to shake off their pursuers. Their investigation leads them to a pier, where they discover evidence that Alex and Sunny managed to escape by boat downstream.

Their search is interrupted by the approach of an armed mob, forcing them to take shelter in a nearby warehouse. This tense situation reveals the evolving dynamic between Brother Diaz and Vigga, with him successfully convincing her to avoid confrontation rather than indulging her violent instincts. Their conversation in hiding demonstrates how far Brother Diaz has come from his original bureaucratic ambitions, while Vigga shows surprising insight despite her seemingly primitive nature.

The chapter culminates in an intimate moment between Brother Diaz and Vigga, as their forced proximity in the dark warehouse leads to an exploration of theological 'loopholes' regarding werewolves and celibacy vows. Despite his initial resistance and invocation of religious principles, Brother Diaz ultimately abandons his monastic vows, giving in to his attraction to Vigga in a moment that represents both a significant personal transgression and a symbolic breaking of his former rigid adherence to religious rules.

Alex and Sunny take refuge in an abandoned barn after their harrowing escape from the burning town, with Sunny severely injured from being kicked by a horse during their flight. Their relationship takes a significant turn when Alex unexpectedly kisses Sunny before departing to steal a horse, leaving the injured elf to rest. The intimate moment reveals growing feelings between them, though it's quickly overshadowed by their dire circumstances.

Alex returns successfully with a stolen horse, but their reunion is interrupted by the arrival of three of Duke Sabbas's killers who have been tracking them. Just as the situation seems hopeless, with Sunny too injured to fight or turn invisible effectively, Vigga appears behind the attackers. Using her supernatural strength, she silently kills the female killer before revealing herself to the remaining two men.

The confrontation ends in brutal violence as Vigga dispatches the remaining killers, despite Brother Diaz's attempts to spare one for questioning about Duke Sabbas's plans. Their reunion is bittersweet, as they learn that Sabbas is actively pursuing them with sorcerers and the Dane-Wolf, suggesting their troubles are far from over. The chapter ends with Vigga ignoring Brother Diaz's orders to spare the last killer, demonstrating both her protective nature toward her companions and her disregard for authority.

Peace negotiations commence between Count Radosav and Countess Jovanka at an ancient stone circle, drawing together the various factions that have converged in the region. The location proves significant not only politically but magically, as Balthazar notes the convergence of mystical energies that could aid in tracking Alex, though the Pope's binding continues to plague him. The gathering is marked by excessive pomp and ceremony, with both sides attempting to outdo each other in displays of wealth and importance.

The negotiations take an unexpected turn when it's revealed that Count Radosav and Countess Jovanka are actually husband and wife, their war essentially being an escalated marital dispute. As the day progresses, the formal atmosphere gradually relaxes, with wine flowing freely and soldiers from opposing sides beginning to mingle. Meanwhile, the reunited members of the Chapel of Holy Expediency - Jakob, Baron Rikard, Baptiste, and Balthazar - discuss their mission to locate Alex, confirmed to be alive by the continued effect of the binding spell on Balthazar.

The peace talks nearly collapse into violence when discussion turns to a particular piece of pasture land with sentimental value to both parties. However, just as tension reaches its peak and both armies prepare for battle, the count and countess's mutual hatred transforms into passionate reconciliation, much to everyone's surprise except Baron Rikard, who claims to be 'sensitive to romance.' The chapter ends with the religious representatives retiring to finalize details while Baptiste calculates the immense cost of the couple's marital spat turned war, highlighting the destructive nature of their personal conflict against the backdrop of wider political and religious tensions.

At the ancient stone circle where Count Radosav and Countess Jovanka concluded their peace negotiations, Balthazar seizes the opportunity to attempt tracking Alex. However, his mounting despair over his circumstances leads him to make a desperate and dangerous decision. Lamenting his fall from grace and the constant torment of the papal binding, Balthazar reveals the depth of his desperation to Jakob, Baptiste, and Baron Rikard before making the fateful choice to summon Shaxep, Duke of Beneath, a powerful demon.

The demon's arrival transforms the scene into a terrifying spectacle, with Baptiste crumpling in fear and even the usually composed Baron Rikard reduced to terrified pleas. Shaxep appears in a magnificent and horrifying form, with great antlers adorned with jewelry and wings that blot out the sun. Despite the demon's immense power and Balthazar's careful supplication, Shaxep reveals she cannot break Pope Benedicta's binding, though she expresses interest in eventually claiming Balthazar's soul.

The chapter culminates in a crushing revelation for Balthazar - if even a Duke of Hell cannot break his binding, then perhaps the claims about Pope Benedicta being the Second Coming of the Saviour hold truth. His desperate attempts to deny this realization are met with knowing silence from his companions, particularly Baron Rikard, who notes that Balthazar's extreme efforts to prove the binding breakable have ironically proven the opposite. The chapter ends with Jakob grimly confirming that this revelation also suggests the approach of the Last Judgment, leaving Balthazar to face both his eternal bondage and this earth-shattering theological implication.

Alex trudges wearily along the road with blistered feet, stubbornly refusing offers to ride the horse as the group escapes Duke Sabbas's killers. The strained atmosphere between Alex and Sunny suggests lingering awkwardness from their recent kiss, with Alex internally berating herself for potentially ruining their friendship through her actions.

Their journey brings them to a boundary marked by strange posts decorated with sheep skulls and metal ornaments, which Brother Diaz identifies as the border of the Barony of Kalyatta. He explains that the region was devastated by multiple plagues, including the Long Pox and the Sighing Sickness, leading to both the Eastern and Western Churches declaring it cursed and off-limits until divine intervention occurs. The revelation of mass graves and abandoned holy sites prompts a discussion about whether they're living in the End Times, though Vigga dismisses such talk as typical priestly fearmongering.

Despite concerns about their safety and Vigga's unpredictable nature, the group discovers a village in the valley below, complete with promising signs of civilization including cooking smells and music. Though Alex and Brother Diaz express reservations about entering the settlement, particularly with Vigga in tow, their exhaustion and hunger - especially Vigga's enthusiastic desire for lamb chops - leads them to consider risking a visit despite the potential dangers.

The cursed Barony of Kalyatta offers an unexpected respite when Alex, Sunny, Brother Diaz, and Vigga attend a traveling players' performance that satirizes the religious schism between East and West through a morality play featuring a sinful Pope and righteous Patriarch. The performance reveals both the political tensions of their world and provides a moment of relative normalcy for the group, with Alex particularly enjoying the theatrical escape while sharing memories of her childhood dreams of joining such a troupe.

The chapter explores the growing tension between Alex and Sunny following their recent kiss, with Sunny struggling to express her feelings and Alex showing signs of regret over potentially damaging their friendship. Their awkward dynamic is further complicated by Vigga's constant interruptions with meat skewers from a local vendor, while Brother Diaz continues to wrestle with his own recent breach of monastic vows, particularly evident in his uncomfortable questions to the players about divine forgiveness for fornication.

The moment of respite is shattered when the players reveal that Duke Sabbas recently passed through the area, offering rewards for information about Princess Alexia. The news that their pursuer is so close behind them transforms their evening of entertainment into another reminder of their precarious situation, with Alex's generosity to the players potentially drawing unwanted attention to their group. The chapter ends with the sobering realization that they must soon move on, their brief moment of normalcy giving way to the persistent threat of capture.

The group ventures deeper into the cursed Barony of Kalyatta through relentless rain and treacherous roads. Brother Diaz has become increasingly bitter and prickly since reuniting with Alex and Sunny, particularly regarding his intimate encounter with Vigga, while Vigga struggles with the approaching full moon and her growing urge to transform, constantly fighting against her wolfish instincts.

Tension between Brother Diaz and Vigga reaches a breaking point as they argue about how to handle their pursuers. Vigga advocates for an aggressive approach, suggesting they ambush their hunters and 'teach them a bloody lesson,' while Brother Diaz insists on continuing to flee, prioritizing Alex's safety above all else. Their heated exchange reveals both the complexity of their relationship and their fundamentally different approaches to survival, with references to Valkyries and Valhalla highlighting their cultural divide.

Alex demonstrates growing leadership by forcefully intervening in the argument, physically confronting both Brother Diaz and Vigga to restore order. The moment of conflict resolution is interrupted by Sunny's discovery of a bell tower in the distance, offering the possibility of shelter from the rain. Throughout the exchange, it becomes clear that Duke Sabbas's hunting party, including the Dane-Wolf, remains a serious threat, with Vigga sensing their pursuer's presence through her supernatural awareness.

The abandoned Abbey of Saint Demetrius provides temporary refuge for the group as they shelter from both the relentless rain and Duke Sabbas's pursuing forces. The ruined monastery, evacuated during the plagues and sealed with warnings of excommunication from both Pope and Patriarch, creates an oddly fitting backdrop for Brother Diaz's moral crisis. While Sunny tends to their horse and Vigga breaks furniture for firewood, Brother Diaz retreats to the chapel to wrestle with his guilt over breaking his monastic vows.

In the chapel, Brother Diaz attempts to pray before a stained-glass window of the Saviour, struggling to reconcile his religious obligations with his growing attraction to Vigga. His internal conflict is interrupted by Vigga herself, leading to a complex conversation about faith, honesty, and desire. Despite Vigga's invitation to spend another night together, Brother Diaz initially maintains his resolve to honor his vows, only to fail spectacularly as the night progresses.

The following morning, Alex discovers Brother Diaz and Vigga naked beneath a blanket in the chapel, leading to an awkward confrontation about broken vows and hypocrisy. The encounter evolves into a surprisingly tender moment between Alex and Brother Diaz, where they discuss personal growth and transformation. Alex reveals her own hesitation about seizing happiness, obliquely referencing her unacted-upon feelings for Sunny, while Brother Diaz acknowledges how far Alex has come in her journey toward becoming empress, noting her growing leadership abilities and newfound literacy as signs of her transformation.

Alex briefly experiences a moment of optimism about her situation at the Abbey of Saint Demetrius, only to have it shattered by Duke Sabbas's arrival. Displaying overwhelming pride and contempt, Sabbas confronts Alex with yet another copy of the papal bull confirming her identity while dismissing her claim to the throne based on her common appearance. The confrontation quickly escalates as his forces surround the abbey, including twin sorceresses with metal and glass chains, the Dane, and numerous armed hunters.

The situation deteriorates into chaos when Vigga challenges the Dane to combat, leading to a savage fight between the two werewolves that unexpectedly transforms into a primal mating ritual. Their violent coupling provides a brief distraction as they tear off into the woods, leaving Alex and Brother Diaz seemingly defenseless against the remaining forces. Meanwhile, Sunny, though still injured from her previous encounter with a horse, manages to secretly sabotage several weapons and Sabbas's saddle while invisible.

Just as Sabbas orders his men to kill the remaining group members, the situation dramatically shifts with Balthazar and Jakob's timely arrival. Balthazar announces himself as 'one of the three best necromancers in Europe' and raises an army of corpses from the abbey's graveyard to attack the forces. The twin sorceresses demonstrate their own considerable powers by crushing and dismembering the animated corpses, but the chapter ends with Jakob charging into battle on horseback while Balthazar continues to raise more undead, suggesting a major confrontation is imminent.

Jakob leads a dramatic cavalry charge into the monastery's graveyard, where Balthazar raises an army of corpses to fight Duke Sabbas's forces. The initial assault creates chaos among the hunters, with Jakob demonstrating his centuries of battle experience while Balthazar's undead provide an unsettling distraction. The twin sorceresses prove particularly formidable, using their combined powers of geomancy and aeromancy to create devastating storms of earth and stone that destroy the raised corpses.

The battle moves into the monastery's courtyard, where Sunny, despite her injuries, provides invisible support by sabotaging weapons and creating confusion among the hunters. The group finds themselves cornered and retreats into the monastery's infirmary, where Balthazar attempts to raise more corpses from plague victims, though these prove too deteriorated to be effective. The twin sorceresses begin using their powers to literally tear the building apart, forcing the group to flee deeper into the monastery.

The chase culminates in the ruined church, where the group finds themselves trapped between Sabbas's forces and a sheer cliff drop where part of the building has collapsed. A tense moment occurs when Alex nearly falls to her death, saved only by a human chain formed by Brother Diaz, Baptiste, and Balthazar. The chapter ends with the group cornered at the altar, caught between the cliff and Sabbas's approaching forces, including the twin sorceresses, with seemingly no escape route remaining.

The twin sorceresses' combined powers prove devastating as the battle at the Abbey of Saint Demetrius intensifies. Sunny, still injured from previous encounters, finds herself trapped by a skilled hunter called the Man-Catcher who uses specialized nets and a forked spear. Baron Rikard intervenes, initially attempting diplomacy before revealing his true vampiric nature and dispatching the hunter in a terrifying display of supernatural power that leaves him notably rejuvenated.

Meanwhile, Jakob engages in single combat with Duke Sabbas, who reveals himself to be the 'Angel of Troy' with surgically attached wings. Despite being impaled through the chest, Jakob's immortal curse keeps him fighting while the rest of the group takes cover behind the altar. Baptiste manages to kill one of the twin sorceresses with a crossbow shot, but this prompts the surviving sister to begin destroying the church with her geomantic powers, threatening to collapse the entire structure.

In a desperate gambit, Brother Diaz reminds Balthazar that they're standing above mass plague graves, prompting the necromancer to attempt his most ambitious feat yet. Balthazar, supported physically and emotionally by Alex and Baptiste, channels his power into the earth and raises a horrific mass of ancient corpses. The undead horror consumes Sabbas, his remaining forces, and the surviving sorceress, dragging them into a pit of writhing dead while destroying much of the church. The display of necromantic power ends with the group barely surviving on a crumbling ledge, having eliminated another of Alex's murderous cousins but at a terrible cost.

The survivors gather around a fire in Duke Sabbas's abandoned camp, drinking his wine and tending to their wounds after their harrowing battle at the Abbey of Saint Demetrius. Baptiste works on stitching Jakob's numerous injuries while the group processes their recent victory and survival. The atmosphere is unusually relaxed as they share Sabbas's provisions and discuss their next moves, with even Sunny indulging in wine for the first time.

The peaceful moment is interrupted by Vigga's return from her encounter with the Dane-Wolf, which she describes in crude but proud terms as a mating ritual rather than the expected fight to the death. Her arrival leads to the accidental revelation of her multiple intimate encounters with Brother Diaz at the monastery, causing both embarrassment and amusement among the group. The discussion demonstrates how far the companions have come from their initial relationships, with even the usually stern Brother Diaz defending his actions and declaring his lack of regrets.

The evening culminates in a tender moment between Alex and Sunny, who find themselves alone in Sabbas's tent. Despite Sunny's inebriated state leading to some awkward moments, including being sick, they share their first real romantic encounter. Their interaction represents a significant development in their relationship, moving from friendship to something more intimate, though the moment is somewhat compromised by Sunny's overindulgence in wine. The chapter ends on a note that balances humor with genuine emotional connection, suggesting new dynamics forming within the group as they prepare to continue their journey to Troy.

The group's ship enters Troy's harbor, giving Alex her first glimpse of the legendary Pillar - a colossal structure built by the Witch Engineers of Carthage that dominates the city's skyline. The ancient fortress-city features the famous Hanging Gardens, intricate waterworks, and countless dwellings carved into its massive walls. As their vessel approaches the dock, Alex grows increasingly anxious about her role as future Empress, while her companions attempt to reassure her with varying degrees of success.

Upon docking, Alex is greeted by an enormous crowd and a formal welcoming party led by Lady Severa, who demonstrates both authority and subtle humor in their interaction. Jakob helps break the initial tension by leading the crowd in cheers for Alex, transforming the uncomfortable silence into enthusiastic acclaim. The subsequent parade through Troy reveals a dazzling city of colors, markets, and religious symbols, with Alex maintaining her royal bearing despite her internal doubts.

The procession culminates at the Grand Lift of Heraclius, where Alex reunites with Duke Michael and meets Grand Patriarch Methodius. The formal verification of Alex's identity involves examining the matching halves of the copper coin and the papal bull confirming her status. Despite Alex's private acknowledgment that she has run better cons for fewer rewards, the Patriarch publicly declares her the rightful heir to the Serpent Throne, with both religious and secular authorities seeming eager to accept her claim. The chapter ends with Alex marveling at how readily the powerful accept what they want to believe, even as she continues to doubt her own legitimacy.

The group ascends the legendary Pillar via an ancient mechanical lift system restored by Empress Eudoxia. As they rise above the city, Balthazar finds himself impressed by the engineering marvel of the lift's smooth operation and the breathtaking view of Troy's expanse, from its harbor to the maze of streets, tiled roofs, and verdigrised domes. Despite his initial skepticism about their mission's success, he acknowledges feeling an unexpected hint of pride in Alex's transformation and his role in her survival, though he suspects there will be no formal recognition of his contributions.

During the ascent, Balthazar engages in a revealing conversation with Lady Severa, demonstrating both his intellectual curiosity and his growing humility. Their discussion touches on complex theories about the fundamental nature of matter, inspired by his recent encounter with the twin sorceresses' powers. Lady Severa proves to be surprisingly well-versed in philosophical matters, impressing Balthazar with her knowledge of ancient scholars like Hasdrubal and Cellibus.

The conversation takes a darker turn as Lady Severa provides new insights into Empress Eudoxia's reign, revealing that the hybrid creatures they encountered were not originally intended as warriors. Instead, they were the result of Eudoxia's obsession with preserving her sickly flesh and capturing human souls, which her sons later repurposed for military purposes. The chapter concludes with a significant theological discussion about Pope Benedicta's true nature, where Balthazar admits that recent events have forced him to reconsider his skepticism about her divine status, suggesting she might indeed be the Second Coming of the Saviour.

Brother Diaz and the group reach the top of the Pillar, where they discover a stark contrast to the dusty city below. The legendary Hanging Gardens reveal themselves as a paradise of emerald lawns, soaring trees, and flowing water, protected by rows of guards with gilded halberds. Alex, despite her formal welcome, remains nervous about the numerous armed guards, while Brother Diaz marvels at the garden's divine perfection, finding it closer to paradise than anything he's encountered.

Duke Michael provides detailed information about Troy's infrastructure, particularly the complex water system restored by Empress Eudoxia. The ancient aqueduct brings water from mountain springs through hidden pipes, cascading down the Pillar's sides to power the lifts and supply the city below. The scale of the architecture proves impressive, from the Basilica of the Angelic Visitation with its geometric carvings to the palace crowned by Saint Natalia's Flame, a beacon that has guided Troy's children home for centuries.

The tour reveals the darker aspects of Troy's recent history, particularly at the Athenaeum. Once a celebrated center of learning housing over a hundred thousand volumes, it was transformed under Empress Eudoxia into a center for Black Art and forbidden experiments. Lady Severa explains that the building's vaults still contain dangerous remnants of Eudoxia's work, including the facilities where hybrid creatures were created and where Sabbas received his wings. The chapter ends with Lady Severa expressing regret over her inability to prevent the royal brothers' destructive squabbling, hinting at her own complex relationship with Troy's recent troubled history.

Alex is escorted to her opulent Imperial Bedchamber, a cavernous room that combines the aesthetics of a high-end brothel with a dark cathedral. Lady Severa introduces Alex to her four handmaidens - Athenais, Cleofa, Zenonis, and Placidia - all selected from 'unimpeachable families.' The contrast between these polished noblewomen and Alex's rough background becomes immediately apparent, especially when a stolen dagger falls from her dress during their attempt to help her bathe.

The scene in the bath chamber reveals both Alex's ongoing trauma and her gradual adaptation to her new status. When one of the handmaidens produces a knife to cut a tangle from her hair, Alex reacts with instinctive terror, causing the girl to burst into tears. Lady Severa smoothly manages the situation, assuring Alex of her safety and revealing that Duke Michael has informed her of Alex's ordeals. The interaction demonstrates the vast gulf between Alex's survival-focused past and the refined court life she must now navigate.

After the servants depart, Alex experiences a moment of tentative peace, testing out her new role and the concept of being truly safe. This private moment is enhanced by Sunny's emergence from invisibility, leading to an intimate scene between them in the bath. Their interaction shows both their growing comfort with each other and their ability to find moments of normalcy amid the overwhelming grandeur of their new surroundings. The chapter ends with them sharing a tender moment, suggesting a pocket of genuine connection within the artificial world of court life.

Jakob makes a painful ascent to the top of the Pharos, where Saint Natalia's Flame burns eternally in a great bronze dish, tended by a silent nun. The beacon provides spectacular views of the surrounding lands, including the sea, mountains, and the distant Hellespont. During this visit, Jakob and Duke Michael engage in a profound discussion about destiny and purpose, with Jakob revealing his disillusionment with grand destinies after his experiences in the Second Crusade, preferring now to be 'an arrow shot from another's bow' rather than the one doing the aiming.

The conversation turns to practical matters of securing Alex's position as empress, with Duke Michael reporting on various political factions. While he has secured his position as Commander of the Palace Guard and gained some support, challenges remain from the Eastern Church's fears of papal influence and the nobles' demands for concessions. Though Marcian, Constans, and Sabbas are confirmed dead, Arcadius emerges as the greatest remaining threat due to his control of the Imperial Fleet and popularity among sailors.

The chapter provides significant historical context through Jakob's recognition of names carved into the Pharos's parapet, including his own from over a century ago, alongside those of legendary crusaders. The presence of a special chain that can turn Saint Natalia's Flame blue as a warning against elven attacks adds to the mounting tension about potential future conflicts. The chapter ends ominously with Jakob's assessment that the elves are 'no worse than men' - making them terrible indeed - while Brother Diaz departs to research records in the Athenaeum, specifically warned about dangerous 'leftovers' from Empress Eudoxia's experiments sealed beneath the building.

Brother Diaz accompanies Lady Severa to the Athenaeum, where he is initially overwhelmed by the grandeur of its rotunda. The vast library space features a magnificent dome decorated with scenes from Ancient Troy's history, while multiple levels of shelving reach impossible heights, containing collections on philosophy, history, theology, astronomy, mathematics, and both natural and arcane sciences. The sheer scale of knowledge contained within the building leaves Brother Diaz in awe, particularly when he learns that what he sees is only a portion of the complete collection.

The heavenly impression of the upper levels stands in stark contrast to the disturbing floor of the rotunda, which is covered in complex magical markings reminiscent of Balthazar's ritual preparations in Venice. At the center, Brother Diaz discovers Empress Eudoxia's final experimental apparatus - a copper rod with attached jars and two benches equipped with restraining straps. One of the jars contains what appears to be a large black feather, hinting at the nature of her final, fatal experiment.

Lady Severa reveals crucial information about Empress Eudoxia's character and motivations, explaining that she was born sickly and lived in the shadow of more impressive siblings. Though Severa acknowledges Eudoxia's tyrannical nature, she provides insight into how the former empress's physical frailty and disappointed relationships led her to seek perfection through increasingly desperate magical experiments. The chapter ends with Brother Diaz resolving to help create a better future under Alex's rule, while Lady Severa leads him to the archives to research the nobles' demands.

Vigga awakens naked in a stable with a mysterious man, having no memory of the previous night's events. After a chaotic attempt to dress herself and clean up, she emerges onto the Grand Aqueduct of Troy, where Baron Rikard awaits her at a tavern. Their interaction reveals Rikard's continued struggles with his nature, as demonstrated by his effect on the serving girl and his glass of blood, while Vigga devours raw meat while trying to maintain dignity.

The conversation between Vigga and Baron Rikard on the aqueduct provides new insights into their complex relationship and individual struggles with their monstrous natures. Vigga's fear of heights and discomfort with crowds emphasizes her displacement in Troy's urban environment, while Rikard's casual mention of Alex's potential coronation suggests their mission is nearing completion. Their verbal sparring reveals both mutual disdain and a grudging acknowledgment of each other's roles in their unusual group.

The chapter delves deeply into Vigga's relationship with her wolf nature, as she insists she has gained control over her transformations, citing specific instances from their journey where she chose when to let the wolf emerge. Her declaration of being 'clean inside' despite her outward appearance contrasts sharply with Baron Rikard's admission of his ongoing struggle with his vampiric urges, demonstrated by his near-loss of control with a passing woman. This interaction highlights the different ways these two monsters cope with their supernatural conditions, with Vigga claiming mastery over her beast while Rikard continues to wrestle with his hunger.

The group gathers in the opulent Throne Room atop the Pharos for Alex's first meeting with the empire's nobility. The grand chamber, designed to inspire awe through its height, wealth, and the magnificent Serpent Throne, serves as the backdrop for crucial negotiations with various dukes, duchesses, and counts who arrive bearing grievances and demands that must be settled before they'll support Alex's claim to the throne.

Brother Diaz unexpectedly emerges as the hero of the negotiations, using his librarian's expertise and recent research in the Athenaeum to systematically dismantle each noble's claims. Through careful legal argument and documentation, he not only defeats their demands but in many cases reveals that they owe significant debts to the crown instead. His performance, backed by Jakob's subtle threat of violence, successfully convinces many nobles to pledge their support to Alex.

The triumph is short-lived, however, as Duke Arcadius reveals the existence of a pre-arranged political marriage between himself and Alex. The plan, orchestrated by Duke Michael and Cardinal Zizka before leaving the Holy City, would secure Alex's position through alliance with her most powerful remaining cousin. Despite the practical advantages of uniting their claims and securing the support of the fleet, Alex reacts with horror to the proposal, feeling betrayed by her uncle and advisors who all seem to support the match as a necessary compromise for securing her throne.

Alex rages in her bedchamber while Sunny attempts to comfort her after the devastating news of her arranged marriage to Arcadius. Their conversation leads to Sunny revealing a secret passage she discovered within the palace walls, complete with hidden chambers and escape routes throughout the tower. This moment of discovery briefly lifts Alex's spirits before the weight of her situation returns.

In a devastating confession, Alex reveals the truth about her identity - she is not the real Princess Alexia at all, but rather a cheese merchant's daughter who stole the identity of the real princess after her death from the Long Pox. She explains how she acquired the copper coin, burned herself to replicate the birthmark, and assumed the identity of the dead princess, driven by a desperate desire to be 'not nothing.' The revelation recontextualizes all previous events, from the Oracles' prophecies to Cardinal Bock's acceptance of her claim.

The chapter culminates in two parallel scenes of heartbreak and duty. Sunny, despite her feelings for Alex, forces herself to reject Alex's plea to run away together, insisting that Alex must embrace her role as empress regardless of its fraudulent origins. The chapter ends with Sunny seeking comfort from Jakob, who finds her in his chambers through a secret passage. Their conversation about the impermanence of all things, including love, reinforces the chapter's themes of sacrifice and duty, as both Sunny and Alex must abandon their personal desires for what they believe serves a greater purpose.

The group gathers in the Basilica of the Angelic Visitation for the impending coronation and wedding ceremony, still processing Alex's shocking confession about her true identity and the arranged marriage plans. The ancient church, filled with relics including spears from the First Crusade and pickled angel feathers, provides a grand setting for the momentous occasion. Jakob and Brother Diaz share a profound conversation about faith, redemption, and Jakob's long history of crusades, revealing both his deep regrets and his growing respect for Brother Diaz's different kind of strength.

The entire Chapel of Holy Expediency group reunites for what will be their final gathering, with Balthazar, Baptiste, and Vigga joining them in the basilica. Their banter about who deserves a tomb in the church demonstrates how far they've come as a group, while Vigga's comic misunderstandings about her previous baptisms provide levity to the solemn occasion. Alex arrives in full imperial regalia, transformed by her handmaidens into every inch the empress she must become.

The gathering takes an unexpected turn when Duke Michael announces his engagement to Lady Severa, adding another layer of political alliance to the day's ceremonies. The news of the group's imminent departure due to the terms of Pope Benedicta's binding leads to emotional farewells, with Alex particularly hoping to see Sunny one last time. The chapter culminates in Brother Diaz delivering a touching blessing, reflecting on their journey from the Rolling Bear inn through all their trials, acknowledging how his perception of his 'monstrous' companions has evolved into understanding and respect.

The coronation ceremony unfolds with elaborate ritual in the Basilica of the Angelic Visitation. Vigga, bored by the lengthy religious proceedings, provides a humorous counterpoint to the solemnity of the occasion through her running commentary and comparisons between her pagan background and Christian ceremonies. Her observations about the political theater of monarchy - that making something difficult to achieve makes it difficult to challenge - offers insight into how ceremonial pomp reinforces royal authority.

The actual coronation involves elaborate ritual elements, with Alex receiving a purple cloak pinned with a golden brooch, a sheaf of wheat in her left hand, and a gilded spear in her right. The Patriarch anoints her with oil and places the crown on her head, after which she is lifted on a golden shield by four noblemen to be presented to the crowd. The moment the crown touches Alex's head, all members of the Chapel of Holy Expediency feel their papal binding begin pulling them back toward the sea, signaling the completion of their mission.

As the newly crowned empress is celebrated with songs and ringing bells, the Chapel group quietly exits the basilica, their duty fulfilled. The departure is bittersweet, as they must immediately return to the Holy City and their respective forms of captivity. Their final moments together are marked by Vigga's characteristic irreverence and the group's somber recognition that their unusual fellowship has come to an end. The contrast between Alex's ascension to power and their return to confinement highlights the complex nature of duty, freedom, and sacrifice that has defined their journey.

Alex and Arcadius share an unexpectedly civil conversation in their bedchamber after the coronation ceremony. Their discussion reveals mutual disinterest in physical intimacy, with both acknowledging their different sexual preferences and agreeing to a pragmatic arrangement for producing heirs. Arcadius proves surprisingly reasonable, expressing his lack of imperial ambition and genuine desire to help restore Troy to glory, leading Alex to cautiously warm to him despite her initial fears.

The moment of growing trust is shattered when handmaidens Placidia and Zenonis reveal themselves as Empress Eudoxia's surviving apprentices. In a horrific display of their powers, Placidia freezes Arcadius solid before shattering him into pieces, while Zenonis demonstrates pyromantic abilities similar to those Alex encountered at the Rolling Bear inn. Alex barely escapes through the secret passages, eventually making her way to Saint Natalia's Flame at the top of the Pharos, where she pulls the chain to turn the eternal flame blue - the city's warning signal for danger.

Meanwhile, aboard their departing ship, the Chapel of Holy Expediency members witness the blue flame and face a crucial decision. Despite being released from their papal binding and ordered to return to the Holy City, most choose to return to Alex's aid. Baron Rikard reveals a stunning truth - as a vampire without a soul, he was never actually bound by Pope Benedicta's magic, meaning his entire participation in their mission was by choice. Balthazar alone refuses to help, remaining on the ship and shouting justifications to himself as his companions rush back to the Pharos.

Trapped at the top of the Pharos after witnessing Placidia and Zenonis brutally murder Arcadius and the Sister of the Flame, Alex faces a desperate situation. With Eudoxia's apprentices closing in, she makes a harrowing escape down the exterior of the lighthouse, navigating treacherous ledges and gargoyles while battling vertigo and the elements. Her perilous climb is complicated by nesting birds and the constant threat of discovery by her pursuers.

Meanwhile, Jakob, Brother Diaz, Baptiste, Vigga, and Sunny return to Troy after seeing Saint Natalia's Flame turn blue. They encounter resistance at the lift from the Palace Guard, leading to a violent confrontation where Jakob's expertise in combat proves decisive. The group successfully fights their way up, with Sunny's invisible assistance helping to overcome the guards, though Brother Diaz continues to struggle with Vigga's brutal methods.

Alex manages to reach Duke Michael's chambers through the exterior climb, only to discover a devastating letter revealing that both he and Cardinal Zizka had orchestrated everything from the beginning. The letter exposes their plan to use Alex as bait to eliminate her cousins before disposing of her, ultimately placing Michael on the Serpent Throne to unite the Eastern and Western churches against the elves. When confronted, Michael admits to manipulating events and attempts to kill Alex, but Sunny's timely intervention allows them to escape, though their situation remains dire.

Multiple battles rage throughout the palace as Jakob, Vigga, Baptiste, and Brother Diaz fight their way through guards to reach Alex. The violence forces Brother Diaz far from his original bureaucratic nature, while Vigga experiences moments of reflection about her destructive past, questioning whether she was always violent even before becoming a werewolf. Jakob struggles with his aging body as he climbs the palace's numerous stairs.

Alex and Sunny flee through secret passages, pursued by the murderous handmaidens who have revealed themselves as practitioners of dark magic. Their desperate escape leads them through kitchens and wine cellars, where they encounter Cleofa, Athenais, and Zenonis demonstrating terrifying abilities including fog manipulation and fire magic. Both Alex and Sunny suffer injuries as they navigate the palace's hidden tunnel network.

Lady Severa appears to offer help, only to reveal herself as another traitor by using a magical needle to control Vigga, similar to how the phrenomancer had previously controlled Baptiste. Meanwhile, Alex and Sunny discover Arcadius's gruesome remains in the Imperial Bedchamber. The chapter ends with Duke Michael and the handmaidens herding them upward toward the throne room, their escape routes rapidly diminishing.

Brother Diaz and Baptiste barricade themselves inside the Basilica of the Angelic Visitation, pursued by the mind-controlled Vigga and Lady Severa. Their hopes for sanctuary are dashed when Patriarch Methodius reveals his allegiance to Lady Severa and Eudoxia's former regime, leading to a confrontation where Brother Diaz, in an unprecedented act of defiance, punches the Patriarch unconscious. Just as the situation seems hopeless, Balthazar makes a dramatic return, having swum back after abandoning ship, and uses his newfound understanding of matter's fundamental nature to free Vigga from Lady Severa's control.

Meanwhile, at the top of the Pharos, Alex and Sunny find themselves cornered by all four of Eudoxia's former handmaidens. As they prepare for what seems to be their final stand, Baron Rikard arrives in a dramatic transformation from a swarm of bats, confronting the sorceresses with his mesmerizing abilities and signature story about Polish dumplings. Simultaneously, Jakob faces off against Duke Michael in the throne room, where the duke reveals his cynical philosophy about human nature and ambition while preparing for what promises to be a decisive duel.

The battle spreads through the Hanging Gardens as Vigga and Balthazar form an unexpectedly effective partnership, with Vigga creating corpses for Balthazar to animate. Their assault drives Lady Severa's forces back to the Athenaeum, where Balthazar demonstrates his growing magical prowess by turning Severa's own fire magic against her. However, their apparent victory turns ominous when Severa orders the release of 'the leftovers' - Eudoxia's failed experiments kept within the Athenaeum. The chapter ends with Balthazar rolling under a closing gate into the Athenaeum, separating himself from his allies as unknown horrors emerge from the darkness.

Three simultaneous battles unfold across the palace complex as chaos erupts in the aftermath of the coronation. In the throne room, Jakob engages in a chess-like duel with Duke Michael that quickly devolves into a brutal struggle after Michael's deceptive feint leads to Jakob being impaled. Despite being run through with a sword and later an elf-dagger, Jakob's immortal curse keeps him fighting, though the confrontation ends with him pinned beneath a toppled statue while Michael escapes.

In the Hanging Gardens, Vigga confronts the horrific 'leftovers' of Empress Eudoxia's experiments - a monstrous amalgamation of mismatched limbs, multiple mouths, and various animal parts. The encounter forces Vigga to fully embrace her wolf nature as she battles the creature in a savage fight. Though she initially gains the upper hand by trapping it between trees, the creature splits in half and manages to swallow her whole, suggesting a dire fate for the werewolf.

Meanwhile, in the Athenaeum, Balthazar discovers the true nature of Empress Eudoxia's final experiment - an elaborate apparatus designed to transfer souls between bodies. His examination of the device, complete with demon and angel feathers, leads to a confrontation with Lady Severa, who reveals herself to be Empress Eudoxia inhabiting her servant's body, proving the experiment's success. Their battle demonstrates both Severa/Eudoxia's mastery of lightning magic and Balthazar's growing power as he manages to split her attack.

Atop the Pharos, Baron Rikard uses his vampiric glamour to turn Eudoxia's apprentices against each other, though the effort visibly ages him. His manipulation results in Cleofa being burned alive by Zenonis, but his control eventually falters. In the ensuing chaos, Alex manages to kill Zenonis with a stone block while Rikard sacrifices his remaining strength to throw Placidia into Saint Natalia's Flame, leaving the vampire severely wounded but eliminating the last of the sorceresses.

In the Athenaeum, Balthazar confronts Lady Severa, who reveals herself to be Empress Eudoxia inhabiting Severa's stolen body. Their magical duel ends in a stalemate, with Eudoxia offering Balthazar an alliance to rule together. Despite the tempting offer of power and her admiration of his magical abilities, Balthazar declines, having come to accept his papal binding and belief in Pope Benedicta as the Second Coming.

Meanwhile, in the Hanging Gardens, Brother Diaz and Baptiste face one of Empress Eudoxia's most horrific experimental creations - a monstrous amalgamation of mismatched body parts that manages to swallow Vigga whole. In a moment of desperate faith, Brother Diaz calls upon divine intervention while clutching Saint Beatrix's vial. The monster bursts open as Vigga emerges in wolf form, but rather than returning to her human state, she remains a dangerous predator threatening both Brother Diaz and Baptiste.

At the top of the Pharos, Alex and Sunny face Duke Michael after defeating the handmaiden sorceresses. During their confrontation, Michael reveals he poisoned Alex's mother and blamed Eudoxia, starting the civil war that tore Troy apart. Despite Alex's fierce resistance, including biting off part of Michael's nose, he nearly strangles her to death. The chapter culminates in Jakob, still impaled with a sword and dagger, emerging from Saint Natalia's Flame to tackle Duke Michael through the broken parapet, both of them plunging from the top of the Pillar. The final scene reveals the tragic aftermath of Vigga's wolf rampage, strongly implying that she has killed Baptiste while transformed.

Alex holds court in the throne room, receiving Cardinal Zizka and her delegation of priests in the aftermath of the confrontation with Duke Michael and the deaths at the Pharos. When confronted with evidence of her treachery in conspiring with Duke Michael, Zizka responds with surprising indifference, treating attempted murder as a mere political necessity. Her calm acceptance of her own duplicity further enrages Alex, who demands justice and the release of her companions from the Chapel of Holy Expediency.

Zizka systematically dismantles Alex's requests to keep her supernatural allies, explaining why each would pose too great a risk to her rule. She argues that Vigga is uncontrollable, especially after killing Baptiste, Baron Rikard's bad moods have devastated parts of Europe, and Sunny's presence could incite violence given Troy's hatred of elves. The cardinal reveals that Jakob, if he survives his fall, would be the only one permitted to stay, though she warns he might be the most dangerous of all.

The conversation culminates in a frank assessment of Alex's character, with Zizka admitting she initially saw Alex as completely unsuitable for rule but has since revised her opinion. After acknowledging that all other claimants to the throne are dead, they reach a pragmatic agreement. Alex agrees to work toward unifying the Eastern and Western churches in exchange for support against the elven threat, with Father Diaz, newly ordained into the Eastern Church as Alex's personal chaplain, supporting this compromise. The chapter ends with Zizka's assurance that 'God has deep pockets,' suggesting significant resources will be available to support this new alliance.

Jakob is discovered alive by fishermen after being pulled from the sea in their nets, having survived his plunge with Duke Michael due to his immortal curse. Upon learning that Alex rules as Empress, he makes his way back to Troy, where he encounters Baron Rikard in the Hanging Gardens. Both men are physically devastated - Jakob from his injuries and near-drowning, Rikard from using his powers to defeat the sorceresses, appearing as a withered ancient version of his former self.

During their conversation, Jakob learns of Baptiste's death at Vigga's hands, adding another name to his long list of lost companions. The weight of his immortality bears heavily on him as he reflects that he always expects to die before others but never does. Making his way to the Basilica of the Angelic Visitation, he finds Baptiste has been given a tomb among the heroes of the Second Crusade, where Alex plans to commission a statue of her.

In a pivotal scene, Alex attempts to appoint Jakob as her general for the inevitable future conflict with the elves, offering him the legendary sword of John of Antioch. Despite the temptation and his own history with Troy dating back to his time as a squire, Jakob declines, explaining that he inevitably becomes a 'devil' in prolonged conflicts and must maintain his oath to the Pope. The chapter ends with Alex giving him an icon of Saint Stephen instead, and promising to keep the last empty tomb beside Baptiste's free for him, while Jakob departs with a bittersweet farewell to the empress he helped create.

The joy of reunion gives way to the pain of separation as the Chapel group prepares to return to the Holy City. Alex and Sunny share an emotional goodbye in the gardens, where they discuss Alex's fears about her fraudulent identity and future as empress. Their conversation reveals both their deep connection and the impossibility of maintaining it, with Sunny encouraging Alex to use her position to help others and do good, even managing a genuine smile for the first time in their relationship.

In the dungeons, Vigga lies in a cage, consumed by guilt and self-loathing after killing Baptiste while in wolf form. She refuses comfort from Brother Diaz, now Father Diaz of the Eastern Church, while Cardinal Zizka reveals Vigga's violent past as a Viking raider and declares her useful only as a weapon for the Church. Meanwhile, Balthazar attempts to convince Zizka of his newfound faith in Pope Benedicta as the Second Coming, but his efforts backfire spectacularly, resulting in him being heavily shackled and thrown into a cage alongside Baron Rikard, Sunny, and Vigga.

Jakob confronts Cardinal Zizka about the treatment of their supernatural allies, leading to a tense exchange where she criticizes his romantic idealism and reveals her original plan to install Duke Michael as emperor. The cardinal views Alex's ascension as an unfortunate deviation from years of careful planning, though she intends to use the situation to unite the Eastern and Western churches. The chapter concludes with a conversation between Alex and Father Diaz in her chapel, where they discuss the role of divine intervention in their journey. Father Diaz suggests that perhaps their 'monstrous' companions were Saint Beatrix's chosen instruments, providing a theological justification for how a group of 'devils' helped turn a thief into an empress.

The narrative shifts back to the Holy City on Saint Tabitha's Day, where Mother Beckert, a stern former missionary, is heading to an audience at the Celestial Palace. During her carriage ride, she encounters a mysterious young man calling himself Caruso, who claims to be from Alexandria but speaks with an affected accent that hints at German origins. Their tense conversation reveals that both have been summoned by Cardinal Zizka to the Celestial Palace as replacements.

Mother Beckert, who shares a complex history with Cardinal Zizka dating back to their seminary days, describes their relationship as one of mutual despise and admiration. She characterizes Zizka as being 'like the sea' - adaptable and treacherous, while describing herself as 'the rock on which the water breaks.' Their philosophical opposition appears central to the Church's functioning, with Mother Beckert representing inflexible principle against Zizka's political pragmatism.

The chapter culminates in the revelation that both Mother Beckert and Caruso are being summoned to the Chapel of Holy Expediency, though Caruso is unaware of its existence as the mysterious thirteenth chapel. Mother Beckert's previous experience with this chapel and her stern views on hypocrisy suggest she may be intended as a replacement for Brother Diaz, while Caruso's role remains unclear. The Holy City itself is portrayed as a place of stark contrasts between religious devotion and moral decay, with Mother Beckert particularly noting the proliferation of prostitutes near the holy sites as a symbol of widespread hypocrisy.