“ | My brother was killed. By a woman seeking vengeance.1 | ” |
— Ishri
|
Return of the Native and The Lion’s Skin are the sixtieth and sixty-first chapters of Best Served Cold.
Chapter Summary
Monza rides into Talins to a hero's welcome, having been dressed-up by Grand Duke Rogont to look like the very goddess of war. Grand Duke Orso has been besieged in his fortress of Fontezarmo, while Monza is to be crowned the new Grand Duchess of Talins. After she is crowned, Monza gives an awkward but heartfelt speech saying that the Years of Blood are over and promises peace. The crowd love it. Meanwhile, lurking in the crowd is Morveer. He takes aim on Monza with his blow-pipe, but his arm is jostled by one of the jubilant onlookers, and he misses. In his frustration, he petulantly stabs the man with a poisoned needle.
Some time later, Monza and Shivers ride to Fontezarmo which The Thousand Swords hold under siege. They approach Cosca, who updates them on the siege; they’ve been sending suicidal scaling parties against the walls to keep the defenders busy, while simultaneously digging a tunnel under the fortress walls. Ishri has provided two dozen barrels of Gurkish blasting-powder to bring down the strongest walls in all Styria.
Characters
Introduced | Appeared | Mentioned |
---|---|---|
Monza Murcatto | Grand Duke Orso | |
Nicomo Cosca | ||
Caul Shivers | ||
Grand Duke Rogont | ||
Castor Morveer | ||
Ishri | ||
Friendly |
Locations and Terms
Talins | Styria | Fontezarmo | Years of Blood | The Thousand Swords | The Gurkish Empire |
Gunpowder |
References
- It's hard not to presume that this is a reference to Ferro Maljinn.