User:Kidpen/Summary:House of Blades

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This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of House of Blades, the first book in the Traveler's Gate series.

Chapter 1: Ghosts and Demons

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Plot Summary

Simon at 8 years old and his parents stop in Latari Forest to inspect their cart. Simon sees a strange figure in the darkness that he thinks is a ghost, and his mother tells him the story of the Forest Demon, a creature that wears a cloak to pretend to be a man and takes people to the center of the forest to hang them on a bloody tree. Simon's parents get into an argument about Edina teaching Simon to be superstitious and Kalman says the strange object was summoned by a Traveler and they need to leave before the Traveler comes back before Edina convinces him otherwise. Two people, a large man with scars and a woman carrying a summoned light, make their way to Simon's family. After telling Simon's family that they should leave, the two begin to walk away before Edina mentions the Forest Demon's bloody tree. The woman is very surprised and upset by Edina's description of the Forest Demon and the man summons a tendril of mist that goes into Edina's mouth and causes her body to start moving in unnatural ways. The woman summons a creature that flies towards Simon, but Kalman tackles it while Simon runs away. The wasp catches Kalman on fire and he seems to be dead until the woman moves to attack Simon and he pushes her to the ground before dying. Indirial shows up and summons his sword and Indirial kills the pair of Travelers in a brief fight. He moves Simon's unconscious mother into the cart and says her mind may never recover. He tells Simon to take care of his mother and to come back to Latari Forest when he's older so he can learn to protect himself against Travelers. Indirial says he'll help Simon in Myria, his home town, for a little while but will have to leave soon. Simon resolves to take care of his mother and keep his family safe.

Chapter 2: Sacrifices

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Plot Summary

Eight years later, Simon has to hide his sword practice from his mother for her own safety and push her into her bed until she calms down when she wakes up. Edina hits Simon with her cane and questions his identity as she drinks wine. She refuses Simon's offer of dinner before going back to bed. Leah shows up at Simon's doorway with a basket of food and other supplies and says that he doesn't have to do any extra work for it, frustrating Simon. Leah tells Simon that the Mayor of Myria and his advisors were speaking to some strangers outside the walls, and they both go to the village's gate to wait for the village officials to return..

Outside the walls, Cormac, a Traveler of Endross, is frustrated at his lack of authority in the mission to collect the annual sacrifice and with the negotiation between Sergeant Yakir and the mayor. Yakir threatens to use force to take people for the sacrifice if the village doesn't cooperate. The mayor refuses to hand anyone over without knowing what is going to happen to them, and Cormac begins to open a Gate to Endross. After a discussion with Yakir about the deadline of sunset, Cormac summons vines from Endross and kills the Mayor and his six advisors. Yakir tells Cormac to capture those he can and kill any villagers that resist.

Simon and Leah arrive at the town gate, where Alin already is. The guard at the gate is Alin's friend Jaron, who tells Simon and Leah that the mayor went to meet with soldiers. Leah asks what colors the soldiers were wearing and finds out that the soldiers are under Malachi based on the colors being purple and brown. Leah says that Malachi may be doing something stupid and says she needs to speak to Chaim, who didn't go with the Mayor. Simon, Leah, and Alin walk through alleys in an attempt to stay safe when they hear a crash and screams from the village gate. Simon runs out to get a clear view of the gate and almost gets killed by an arrow as he sees that the gate was broken down entirely. Soldiers on horses are riding in and Jaron has been killed. The three go back in between the huts and Leah says to get the villagers out through the back gate. without resisting. Alin agrees, but Simon instead runs to try to save his mother. When Simon reaches his house, he grabs his sword and wakes up his mother. Simon pushes his mother out the door and Leah comes up to them carrying a bloody sword. Simon picks up his mother and runs with Leah into the smoke until they stop to hide behind a broken cart. They can see Myria's north gate, where a soldier is riding on circles and watching for people. Simon and Leah agree to wait for the soldier to leave, but four soldiers come out of the houses pulling six collared and injured children behind them. Simon, his mother, and Leah hide under the cart. Leah tells Simon to run for the gate when he gets a chance and goes to cut the rope holding the children. Simon almost runs out to try to help the children, but his mother's confused ramblings convince him to focus on his mother instead. Simon picks up his mother and heads towards the gate, resolving to keep his mother safe.

Leah, being chased by two soldiers, ran to the gate that the soldiers had come through. Eventually she stopped running and instead walked confidently towards Yakir and Cormac. When one of the chasing soldiers cut her off, she used Lirial to trap him and scare away his horse. She defeated some Endross summons without missing a beat, and summoned a crown from Ragnarus to prove her identity to the sergeant. He and all the other soldiers bowed to her. Yakir explained that they were at Myria to collect the midsummer sacrifice, and Leah instructed him to take her to Bel Calem as a sacrifice.

Chapter 3: Travelers

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Plot Summary

Cormac collected nine villagers, not including Leah, and explained to Yakir where they would need to go to open an Endross Gate.

Simon ran through the land North of Myria and fell to his knees when he saw Alin. They discussed the attack and moved to a cave, but soldiers soon showed up. Cormac began to give a speech and showed the prisoners, but a Myrian villager tried to free them. Cormac tortured the villager to death, and the soldiers began to leave. Simon attacked Cormac from the back in an attempt to free Leah, but was pushed back by Cormac. Alin then attacked Cormac using the golden light of Elysia.

Chapter 4: Hidden Talents

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Cormac fell to the ground, heavily injured. He prepared to attack. Meanwhile, Yakir asked Alin to go to Malachi peacefully, which he agreed to. Cormac killed Yakir, but the soldiers assumed it was Alin and became hostile until Cormac pushed through them. Simon moved to get his mother out of the cave and was almost stopped by one of Cormac's summoned serpents until it attacked and killed Orlina instead. The serpent then went to Alin, but turned to Simon and grabbed his mother. Alin was only then able to call the gold light, causing the snake to writhe and hit Simon before dying. Alin was able to get through most of Cormac's attacks until the other soldiers joined in, putting him in a difficult spot. Travelers from Enosh then arrived, and they were able to hold back Cormac and the soldiers until Cormac's own gate killed him. They released the last Damascan soldier, who left, and Simon saw that his mother was dead.

The Enosh Travelers introduced themselves as Gilad and Miram, and Alin told them he was not an enemy of Enosh. Miram offered their help, and asked Alin to demonstrate his powers, which he did. The Travelers bowed to him. Simon then noticed the prisoners were gone and said so to Alin, who ordered a search. When they were unable to find the prisoners, Miram said they were taken through a Territory, and although Simon didn't agree, Alin backed them up. The Travelers asked him to return to Enosh with them and told him about their prophecy, and Alin agreed. Alin told Simon that he should stay behind to help rebuild, and Simon begrudgingly agreed. Simon retrieved his mother, then watched Alin and the Travelers leave.

Back when Leah and the villagers disappeared through one of her portals, Leah prompts one of the soldiers to take them towards Bel Calem through Lirial.

Chapter 5: A Step Forward

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358th year of the Damascan Calendar. 24th year in the reign of King Zakareth VI. 48 days until midsummer.

Villagers began to return to Myria. The villagers buried the dead, and Simon buried his mother. Simon fixed his house. The villagers agreed that Alin would return the prisoners, but Simon said they had to find a better way to protect themselves and left the village. He went to Latari Forest, and went to a stream to get water, then fell asleep. Some bandits attacked him and almost killed him, but then Kai arrived and killed the bandits. Simon asked Kai to train him, but Kai repeatedly stopped him from attacking. Kai paused when Simon mentioned that he met Indirial, but ultimately refused, leaving Simon disappointed.

Chapter 6: Welcome to Valinhall

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46 days until midsummer.

Kai watched Simon in Latari Forest and considered taking Simon in. Simon found food and rested in a hut, then yelled to Kai that he wouldn't leave. He laid down to sleep, but then saw Kai and Caela. Simon told him his story, and Kai asked why he should bring Simon to Valinhall. Simon explained that he wasn't sure Alin would rescue the prisoners, and he wanted to do what he could. Kai did not think Simon's answer was good, but brought him to Valinhall anyways.

Simon arrived in Valinhall. Kai explained that the entire territory is a continuous house and brought Simon to the bath. Simon got in the bath and realized he was healing quickly. As he tried to get out of the bath, a creature pulled him back in. He fought the imp off and swam up, but four imps returned and hurt him. He managed to escape the pool just before a larger creature reached him and he returned to the entry room. After he got dressed, a Nye tried to choke him, but he grabbed his sword and defeated the Nye just in time. Two more Nye appeared, so Simon ran and opened the armory door, almost getting hit by a dart triggered when he opened the door. Kai then told him not to go down the stairs to Benson and explained how Valinhall tests its inhabitants and the way time flows more quickly. He brought Simon to the garden and they went to see Chaka. Kai defeated him, but Simon was not able to and went without food or water. Kai brought Simon back to the bath, where his hand was healed.

Chapter 7: Sharp Lessons

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Alin tried to open a Gate to Elysia under the instruction of Grandmaster Naraka, and managed to succeed for the first time. The Grandmaster told him not to close the Gate, explaining that he could only open one per day. She then explained that Elysia exists to keep the other Territories in line, and that he would need to go through the Gate to reach Elysia. He did so, and the Gate closed behind him.

Kai took Simon to Kai's room, where Simon asked Kai about the dolls and then went to sleep. He was interrupted by a whisper from one of the dolls, and then was unable to get any real rest. He saw Kai kill a Nye in his sleep. Once morning came, Kai rose and greeted every doll by name and then greeted Simon. They went to the garden and Simon once again failed to defeat Chaka. Simon got frustrated and attacked Chaka, who decided his performance was barely good enough. He ate and drank, and Kai said it was time to begin his training.

In a few days, Simon had gotten used to Valinhall, and started to enjoy his training. Simon asked Kai about doing flashy Traveler things, and Kai told him to go see Benson. Benson had him fight the suits of armor, and he defeated several of them until Borus brought him down. He returned to Kai, who told him he hadn't learned what he was supposed to, to try again the next day, and to get a spare sword.

Chapter 8: Risks and Rewards

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Simon went to the Valinhall armory and managed to get a sword without getting hurt from any traps. He tried to open the door at the back of the armory, but it didn't open. He then challenged the suits of armor again, and failed even more quickly. After a month of failing to defeat them, he asked Kai for guidance and demanded to know what he would earn from Benson. Kai apologized for giving Simon too much guidance, and said he would go through Valinhall and wait for Simon to catch up with him. He stopped Simon from chasing after him and went to the library. Simon returned to Kai's room and considered how to improve quickly enough, trying to destroy the room in his frustration until he was attacked by a Nye. Once he defeated the Nye, he followed the shadow down a trap door. He came to a door and was nearly killed by the Nye guards until the Eldest Nye appeared and brought him down a hallway.

In Elysia, Alin met an armored dog which he thought was attacking but actually just tackled and licked him. Rhalia came up and explained some of how Travelling works then lead him to the gates of Elysia. He went in and Rhalia warned him just in time about a box that shot arrows at him. She told him some about the virtues of Elysia, and then took him to the gold section of the city.

Chapter 9: Deals and Darkness

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The Eldest Nye led Simon through the dark halls and told him the history of Valinhall and of Valin. He asked Simon to make a deal where Simon would spend his life restoring the power of Valinhall and in exchange would get a Valinhall power and a chance to earn a Dragon's Fang. Simon took the deal after some deliberation. He was given the Nye essence and breathed it in, understanding its power by defeating the Nye guards. The Nye told him how Valinhall has internal rather than external powers, then told him to go challenge Benson.

Chapter 10: Another Test

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Simon defeated the suits of armor without too much issue using the Nye essence, then struggled to beat Benson as it nearly ran out. He received the steel and then went to the library to find Kai. He defeated the guardians of the library then moved on to the forge, which he spent 15 days challenging. On the 15th day, Denner came into the forge and Simon managed to kill the guardian. After a brief conversation, Simon lost consciousness and later woke up in the garden. He continued to talk with Denner and Hariman, who explained that the prisoners from Myria were taken for the sacrifice, as well as how the sacrifice was from Ragnarus and used to keep a destructive force locked away. He told Simon that the sacrifice was in only 5 days, and Simon asked how he could earn a Dragon's Fang. He was told he would have to spend seven nights in Orgrith Cave as a graduation ceremony.

Chapter 11: Orgrith Cave

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Denner took Simon to the corner of Latari Forest and stopped at the stone forest surrounding Orgrith Cave. He told Simon that he wasn't the swordsman who rescued him years ago, then left so that Simon could survive his graduation. He approached the cave and came upon a circle of carts and wagons, with a family arguing about going into the cave to rescue Lycus and Andra. He asked what happened and a woman told him her babies were in the cave, so he walked in.

Kai watched the family from a distance and talked to Otoku. Otoku told him he should've stopped the sacrifice years ago. Denner appeared and said they could pull Simon out, but Kai refused. He told Otoku that he would not leave Simon alone, but would not let him know he was there.

Simon did not face any immediate danger in Orgrith Cave, and realized he did not know any information about the children in the cave. He soon came upon a creature which he killed easily. He went deeper into the cave and found an enormous cavern which contained many dangerous looking creatures. He heard a frightened cry from a girl, and dashed after it with the steel and essence. He found the children and saved them from a monster. He had the children follow him to the entrance, but realized it was blocked by a huge worm. He found a small crevice for them to stay in and talked with them, worried that he wouldn't be able to save them.

Chapter 12: Escape

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Simon and the children left their shelter and managed to defeat some fish monsters eating. They got close to the entrance and Simon went ahead to check on it after drawing essence and steel. He saw that the tunnel had become wider then had the children follow him. While they were walking through the tunnel, Andra screamed as a joke, frightening Simon and Lycus. They then heard a grinding noise from further in. Simon realized the tunnel was now sloping down and thought it must have changed, wondering if it still led outside. They eventually came to a ball shaped chamber with thousands of huge worms occasionally moving and a crack leading outside. Simon decided they would find a different way out, but they heard their mother call out for them and he realized they would have to go this way. Each child wanted him to bring the other first, and he decided to bring Lycus first because Andra would do better alone. Lycus made a small noise and woke up one of the worms, but they managed to escape unnoticed and get out of the cave. Lycus went to his mother, and Simon moved to return for Andra before being frozen by fear. He was unfrozen when he heard Andra's scream.

Chapter 13: The Chains of Valinhall

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Simon ran through the cave to reach Andra, and found her injured but conscious. A creature approached them from the tunnel, so he took Andra through the cavern of worms. He moved quickly but came across an awake worm, which roared to wake up the rest of the worms. He tried to get through the cavern before his powers ran out, but kept getting hit by the worms. When one got a good grip on his leg, he thought he would die and reached deeply into Valinhall, hearing Benson and getting an immense amount of steel. He saw Andra held by a worm and limped towards it until it leaped at him and he threw it aside. He painfully walked all the way to the exit, fighting off worms as he went, and was able to climb them to the exit. The Agnos family tearfully reunited, and Simon passed out trying to tell them to leave him in the cave while Olissa treated his wounds.

Simon woke up some time later in a wagon, hearing Kai talk to a doll. Kai told him he used some Valinhall pool water to heal his leg and then had him draw on steel. Simon drew deeply and saw the chains moving up his arm. Kai explained that the point of the test was to force him to draw deeply enough on Valinhall to become connected to the territory, not succeeding. Kai gave him Azura and guided him through opening a Gate to Valinhall, then told Simon that Azura belonged to him. Kai explained that the house chose Simon to have Azura and that it comes with the bedroom and the dolls. He explained that the chains covering Simon's body would result in Incarnation, although not what that entails. Kai told Simon that the children he saved were Damascan, that there was at least one soldier with the group, and that they had been moving towards Myria while Simon was asleep. Finally, Kai told Simon that there were only nine days until the midsummer sacrifice. Kai then went into Valinhall, saying that he would have to get his own sword back now that he wasn't borrowing Azura.

Leah had breakfast with Malachi as one of the Myrian prisoners was sacrificed. Leah expressed discomfort with hearing the screams while eating and Malachi asked if she was softened by her time in Myria, which Leah knew was true but did not admit. Malachi had Leah tell him about Alin, who she said would come to Bel Calem for revenge. Leah lied about having seen other sacrifices, and expressed confusion when he mentioned the Tree. She tried to deflect, but Malachi said they should both go to inspect it, and Leah agreed.

Chapter 14: The Wrong Place

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Simon ran out of steel and let go of Azura, returning it to Valinhall. He felt lightheaded and wondered if it was because of the chains or an aftereffect of the steel. The doll Kai left behind spoke to him once but did not continue when he asked. Olissa walked in while he was shaking the doll to get her to talk. Olissa checked on his leg and was surprised to see it healed. She asked if he was an Asphodel Traveler, then asked if Malachi had sent him to them. He was surprised and worried about that, but Olissa was called out before he continue questioning. He considered leaving, but then decided to stay in case the incoming visitors were hostile to the Agnos family. He went out and saw the incoming rider, Ansher, greet Erastes as a captain

Chapter 15: Playing With Dolls

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Chapter 16: The Road to Bel Calem

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Chapter 17: Midsummer's Eve

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Chapter 18: Convergence

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Chapter 19: Overlord Malachi

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Chapter 20: Bad Habits

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Chapter 21: A Victory

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Chapter 22: The Hope of Escape

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Chapter 23: Aftermath

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