Glow

While Slade is busy planning his strategy, Auren is outdoors during daylight hours practicing her magic. She notices a dark blotch forming in the middle of her gold, but imagines she is seeing things. Manu appears to try to persuade her to attend the Conflux voluntarily. He explains that this is a mere formality to keep the people from growing angry that justice doesn’t apply to the ruling class. He says, “Piece of advice, Doll, never let the people come up with their own narrative, because you’ll rarely like what they say” (584-85).

Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Rissa and Polly. The latter is still snarling at Rissa for having “rescued” her from life as a royal saddle, where she was content. She tells Rissa, “You thought that everyone—me included—wanted out as much as you did, but you were wrong” (589). Polly demands that Auren give her money and then heads for the town’s nearest brothel to seek employment. Rissa remains behind, admitting that she might like to stay in Fourth Kingdom. Auren suspects that Rissa has taken a liking to Osrik, though she won’t admit it.