A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 38: One White Rook V
by Schwab, V. E.Kell finds himself confronted by royal guards after his unexplained absence, forcing him to mask his panic with composed arrogance. Though Lila vanishes using a magical stone, Kell remains, feigning innocence while internally fearing repercussions for his secret transgressions. The guards are visibly confused by his calm demeanor, torn between deference and suspicion. Kell attempts to deflect their questions with vague explanations, but their leader, Ellis, remains persistent, ultimately escorting him away under the guise of returning him to the palace.
Lila, hidden by the stone’s magic, observes the confrontation unnoticed. She senses Kell’s silent warning to stay put and watches as most of the guards depart with him. However, one guard lingers, and in a sudden, brutal act, slits the shopkeeper Fletcher’s throat. The murder is executed with chilling precision, leaving Lila stunned but still concealed. The guard’s eyes hint at unnatural power, suggesting he may be more than an ordinary soldier. His departure leaves Fletcher dead and Lila alone in the shop, grappling with the violence she just witnessed.
Kell is led to a royal carriage, his thoughts racing as he contemplates how to deceive the king and queen about his actions. He hopes to retrieve a token from White London, all while worrying about Lila’s unpredictable nature. The carriage’s unusual seating arrangement and Ellis’s apologetic tone foreshadow betrayal. Before Kell can react, he is drugged and rendered unconscious, his trust in the guards shattered as darkness overtakes him.
Lila, still invisible, processes Fletcher’s murder and the guard’s eerie detachment. The guard’s shimmering eyes and swift exit suggest he is under magical influence or not human. As the shop falls silent, Lila remains hidden, her next move uncertain. The chapter ends with tension unresolved, leaving both Kell and Lila in peril—Kell unconscious and captive, while Lila must decide whether to intervene or flee. The stakes escalate as hidden forces manipulate events from the shadows.
FAQs
1. How does Kell attempt to maintain control of the situation when confronted by the royal guards? What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Kell immediately composes himself, forcing panic into calmness and adopting an arrogant posture against the table to project confidence. He reassures himself of his status as Antari and royal family member, using this identity as psychological armor. This reveals Kell’s ability to think strategically under pressure, his deep understanding of social hierarchies, and his reliance on his privileged position for protection. However, his internal monologue shows vulnerability beneath the facade, particularly his worry about Rhy potentially revealing his transgressions (shown when he thinks “he wouldn’t—Kell hoped he wouldn’t”).2. Analyze the significance of Lila’s use of the magical stone in this chapter. How does this moment develop both the plot and her character?
Answer:
Lila’s quick thinking to conceal herself with the stone demonstrates her growing competence with magic and ability to react swiftly to danger. The stone’s obedience (“Conceal me”) and the pleasant sensation she feels suggest a deepening bond between Lila and the artifact, foreshadowing its continued importance. Plot-wise, this concealment allows her to witness Fletcher’s murder undetected, setting up future conflict. Character-wise, her observation of Kell’s hidden worry and the guard’s violence shows her perceptiveness and positions her as both witness and potential rescuer in the unfolding drama.3. What contradictory elements exist in the guards’ behavior toward Kell, and what might this foreshadow?
Answer:
While the guards initially show relief at finding Kell unharmed and some kneel in respect, others rest hands on sword hilts, indicating suspicion. Head guard Ellis alternates between formal deference (“Master Kell”) and pointed questioning about Kell’s whereabouts and actions. This contradiction foreshadows the later betrayal when Ellis drugs Kell in the carriage (“a hand clamped a cloth over his mouth”). The mixed signals suggest some guards may be acting under orders while others could be compromised, hinting at larger conspiracies within the royal household.4. How does the chapter create tension through parallel scenes of deception—one involving Kell and one involving Lila?
Answer:
The chapter builds tension through mirrored deceptions: Kell’s external composure masking internal panic versus Lila’s literal invisibility masking her physical presence. Both characters observe critical details while hiding their true states—Kell observes the guards’ confusion while hiding his anxiety; Lila witnesses Fletcher’s murder while hidden by magic. This parallel structure creates dramatic irony, as readers know dangers the characters don’t (the approaching betrayal of the guards for Kell, the murderous guard’s presence for Lila), amplifying suspense about how these concealed threats will intersect.5. What thematic significance can be drawn from Fletcher’s murder and the guard’s subsequent departure?
Answer:
Fletcher’s abrupt murder highlights the brutal efficiency of the antagonists and the high stakes of the magical conflict. The guard’s emotionless execution (“unfazed by the murder”) and the odd shimmer in his eyes suggest magical influence or possession, reinforcing themes of hidden corruption. That Fletcher is killed immediately after interacting with Kell implies the attackers are eliminating loose ends, showing they’ll stop at nothing to control information about the stone. This develops the theme that ordinary people become collateral damage in power struggles between magical factions.
Quotes
1. “He coated himself in that knowledge as he leaned back lazily, almost arrogantly, against the table behind him.”
This quote captures Kell’s internal struggle to project confidence and authority despite his panic. It highlights his reliance on his Antari status as armor, a recurring theme of identity and power dynamics in the chapter.
2. “Stay, it seemed to urge, even before he said the words, lobbed at the room but clearly meant for her.”
This moment reveals the unspoken connection between Kell and Lila, showing their growing partnership through subtle communication. The quote exemplifies the chapter’s tension between what’s said aloud and what’s silently understood.
3. “Instead of reaching for a purse, the guard went for a blade. The metal glinted once in the shop’s low light, and then it was under Fletcher’s chin, drawing a silent red line across his throat.”
This brutal, cinematic moment serves as a key turning point, revealing the true danger lurking beneath the surface of royal authority. The sudden violence contrasts sharply with the preceding diplomatic tension.
4. “Now all he wanted was to see Rhy, to embrace him one last time, and he was secretly glad of the chance.”
This vulnerable admission shows Kell’s emotional core beneath his composed exterior. The phrase “one last time” carries ominous weight, foreshadowing the betrayal that immediately follows.
5. “He tried to wrench free, but armored gloves closed over his wrists and held him back against the bench, and within moments, everything went dark.”
The chapter’s climactic moment, where apparent rescue becomes betrayal. This physical restraint mirrors Kell’s broader predicament of being trapped by forces he thought he could trust.