A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 36: One White Rook III
by Schwab, V. E.The chapter opens with Kell, the protagonist, unaware that one of the cutthroats he left for dead in an alley has mysteriously disappeared. The missing assailant, now a grotesque figure with blackened, decaying skin, strolls through the city, enjoying the sunlight and distant festivities. His body, though deteriorating, is in better condition than a previous host—a drunkard from another London—who had perished quickly. The cutthroat reflects on his recent activities, hinting at a dark and supernatural presence within him that thrives on destruction and consumption.
The narrative shifts to the previous night, where the cutthroat, drawn by the allure of a pleasure house, encounters a fiery-haired woman who invites him inside. She leads him down a dimly lit hallway, oblivious to the darkness in his eyes as she focuses on his physicality. Despite his unfamiliarity with his new body, he kisses her, transferring a sinister energy—a “pure black flame”—into her. The woman, intoxicated by the magic, willingly embraces the darkness, unaware of the danger. The cutthroat revels in the power exchange, noting how a willing host lasts longer than one taken by force.
As their encounter intensifies, the cutthroat whispers Arnesian commands—“Take,” “Give,” “Grow”—while the darkness spreads through the woman. Their union becomes a merging of minds and bodies, culminating in her transformation. When she opens her eyes, they mirror his glossy black ones, and she smiles crookedly, now possessed by the same entity. Together, they leave the pleasure house, their shared consciousness spreading through the city like a contagion. The cutthroat reflects on his busy night, satisfied with his progress.
The chapter concludes with the cutthroat approaching a “red river,” symbolizing the lifeblood of the city, which he envisions as a feast of magic and vitality. The entity within him thrives on consumption, and its influence grows as it infiltrates more hosts. The chapter underscores themes of corruption, power, and the seductive nature of darkness, leaving a sense of impending doom as the entity’s reach expands unchecked.
FAQs
1. What happened to the cutthroat who was previously encased in stone, and why didn’t Kell notice?
Answer:
The cutthroat who had been encased in stone was no longer in the alley where Kell had left the bodies—he had disappeared. Kell failed to notice this because he did not return to the scene of the attack. If he had, he would have seen that the body was missing. The cutthroat, now reanimated or possessed by some dark force, was wandering the city, his body deteriorating but still functional. This suggests a supernatural element at play, as the cutthroat should have been dead but was instead active and spreading his influence.2. How does the dark entity inside the cutthroat’s body spread its influence, and what makes a “willing host” preferable?
Answer:
The entity spreads its influence through physical and magical contact, particularly intimate encounters. In the pleasure house, it transfers a “pure black flame” to the woman via a kiss, which then consumes her will and transforms her into another vessel. A willing host is preferable because they last longer and the transfer of power is more effective—unlike the drunkard Booth, who was taken by force and did not endure. The woman welcomes the darkness, allowing it to spread more seamlessly, resulting in a shared consciousness (“one mind in two bodies”).3. Analyze the significance of the Arnesian phrases (“Avan, res nastar,” “As Besara,” “As Herena,” “As Athera”) in the chapter. What do they reveal about the dark entity’s nature?
Answer:
The phrases—translated as “Come, my star,” “Take,” “Give,” and “Grow”—reflect the entity’s method of corruption and expansion. “Take” and “Give” suggest a transactional, almost parasitic relationship where the entity feeds on life and magic while offering power in return. “Grow” implies that the darkness is not just consuming but also multiplying, spreading through hosts like an infection. The use of Arnesian, a foreign tongue, adds to the otherworldly and sinister nature of the entity, reinforcing that it operates outside normal human understanding.4. What does the description of the cutthroat’s deteriorating body suggest about the cost of the entity’s power?
Answer:
The cutthroat’s body is described as “burnt up inside,” blackening like charred wood, indicating that sustaining the entity’s power is destructive to its host. The physical decay mirrors the corrupting nature of the magic—while it grants unnatural life and influence, it does so at the expense of the body’s integrity. This suggests that the entity’s power is unsustainable in the long term, requiring constant new hosts to maintain its presence. The contrast between the warmth of the sun and the cutthroat’s rotting form highlights the unnaturalness of his existence.5. How does the chapter build tension regarding the dark entity’s plans for the city?
Answer:
The chapter creates tension by showing the entity’s methodical spread—first through the cutthroat, then the woman, and potentially others in the pleasure house. The description of the “pulse of magic and life laid out like a promised feast” suggests an impending large-scale corruption, with the city as its target. The entity’s ability to manipulate and merge minds (“one mind in two bodies”) implies a growing, coordinated threat. The fact that Kell remains unaware of the missing body adds dramatic irony, making the reader anticipate a confrontation or disaster.
Quotes
1. “His body wasn’t doing very well. Better than the other shell, of course, the drunkard in the duller London; that one hadn’t lasted long at all. This one had fared better, much better, but now it was all burnt up inside and beginning to blacken without, the darkness spreading through its veins and over its skin like a stain.”
This quote vividly illustrates the parasitic nature of the entity possessing the cutthroat, showing the physical toll it takes on its hosts. The imagery of decay and darkness underscores the unnatural and destructive power at work.
2. “Power. Everybody wanted it, wanted to be closer to magic, to its source. And she welcomed it. Welcomed him.”
This passage reveals the seductive allure of the entity’s magic and how it preys on human desires. It highlights the theme of corruption through willing submission, contrasting with the earlier forced possession of Booth.
3. “They moved together like a perfect pulse, one bleeding into the other, and when it was over, and the woman’s eyes floated open, they reflected his, both a glossy black.”
This moment marks a key turning point where the entity successfully spreads its influence to a new host. The poetic description of merging emphasizes the intimate yet horrifying nature of the possession process.
4. “He could feel himself spreading through the city as he made his way toward the waiting red river, the pulse of magic and life laid out like a promised feast.”
The closing lines foreshadow the entity’s growing threat, portraying the city as vulnerable to its hunger. The metaphor of a “promised feast” suggests an impending escalation of its parasitic campaign.