Ep 5 Brimstone: Chapters 29-36

Summary

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Fantasy Fangirls – Ep 5 Brimstone: Chapters 29–36

Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Nicole and Lexi

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Episode Overview

In this deep-dive episode, sisters Nicole and Lexi dissect Brimstone chapters 29–36 from Callie Hart's Quicksilver series. The show follows their signature structure: a lively lyrical "Lorreth’s Ballad" chapter summary, stepping "through the quicksilver" with key insights, character arcs, theories, and a lore-heavy segment in "Rusarius’s Library." This stretch of chapters is packed with pivotal reunions, emotional betrayals, thrilling magic discoveries, and, importantly, answers to what "brimstone" truly is and why it’s so central to the story.

Spoiler Warning: Full spoilers for all of Brimstone, including bonus chapters and prior book events.

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Main Themes & Purpose

• Examining character reunions and developments: The long-awaited Fane sibling reunion, the bromance-fueled return of Fisher and Foley, and the growth of the central couple, Saris and Kingfisher.
• Lore and magic revelations: The true destructive power of brimstone, how it relates to the rot, and the cost to the fire sprites.
• The burden and necessity of trust: Explored through Adina's book, Fisher and Saris’s partnership, and the heartbreak of familial betrayal.
• Foreshadowing for the coming battle and prophecies: New-found lore will shape strategies and explore possible outcomes for Book 3.

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Chapter-By-Chapter Recap: "Lorreth's Ballad" ([07:50–11:39])

Nicole delivers a poetic summary of each chapter. Major moments include:

• Ch. 29–30: Hayden is brought safely through the quicksilver, the Fane siblings are (temporarily) reunited, and the group witnesses Everlane’s frightening possession—her soul trapped, a ominous figure lurking, and the chilling, "the gate is open" prophecy.
  Quote (Nicole): “In her pale green eyes, the dark outline of a looming figure. It seemed to grow, getting closer. This is so spooky. I love it.” [19:57]

• Ch. 31–32: Fisher & Foley reconnect, demonstrate that centuries-long friendship can survive trauma and transformation, and the group learns more about the gnoll blades.

• Ch. 33–34: Archer is attacked by a rot-infected Feeder, and in saving him the group discovers that fire sprite brimstone is the only thing that can destroy the rot—but using too much would wipe out the sprites themselves.

• Ch. 35–36: The cost of victory is revealed, Hayden awakens and shocks Seras by believing Madra’s lies. Adina’s magical book of prophecy falls into Seras’s hands, warning she must not skip ahead or the world will end in disaster.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Character Arcs & Reunions

Seras & Fisher’s Growth ([13:27–18:09], [15:35])

• Seras’s evolution: Lexi observes how "we're finally seeing Seras letting joy into her life…laughing and loving and letting joy in."
• Fisher as book boyfriend: "Kingfisher tells Seras she is not his weakness. She is his strength."
  Nicole: “This right here – this is what I love about romance. Love and relationships, they’re not a weakness. They let you love deeper.” [17:14]

Everlane’s Possession & the Open Gate ([18:10–32:46])

• Everlane's state: She’s "awake, but not here" – her mind is trapped behind a supernatural wall.
• Who’s possessing Everlane?: Is it Malcolm (her maker), a demon, or something tied to the Shadowlands or the rot?
  Lexi theorizes: "Her soul is tethered or leashed, maybe because of Malcolm’s venom, half blood curse, half something else."
  • Chapter title Leash as double meaning—her connection to Malcolm and Tal.

Hayden’s Betrayal ([102:00–110:45])

• Heartbreaking reunion: Hayden sides with Madra’s propaganda, accusing his sister of betrayal.
  • Nicole, on Seras’s punch: "But just like always, Hayden Fane was given a soft fucking landing. I have thought about that line almost every day since reading Brimstone." [107:18]
• Discussion on enabling: “He grew up sheltered; she let him be too soft.” [108:10]
• Lexi adds: "It's the biggest slap in the face…she sacrificed everything, and this is the person she raised?" [109:06]

Foley and Fisher Bromance ([51:41–63:42], [58:25])

• Foley’s self-loathing: Hates what he’s become as a vampire; hides from friends out of shame.
• Fisher forces him to confront reality: Foley can resist his vampiric urges around those he loves.
  • Lexi: "We all need a tough love friend like Fisher who puts your story to the test." [61:44]
  • Nicole reflects: "Having someone who can challenge the story you're telling yourself...so important." [63:00]

2. Magic & Lore Revelations

Brimstone Identified ([83:51–91:12], [129:46–132:58])

• Discovery: Archer’s brimstone blood destroys rot-infected feeders; thick black veins and "white light pulsing in its throat" mark the rot.

  • Nicole: "This is huge—something finally killed one of these super feeders. Brimstone is the key." [88:21]

• Cost of using brimstone: Using the sprites’ limited, non-regenerative supply would make their race extinct.
  Lexi, on fire sprite biology: "When fire sprites want to procreate, all donate a bit of themselves—literally only a finite amount." [89:59, 129:53]

• Lore Spotlight:

  • Brimstone is both an element and a form of magic; its rune is tough to master, linked with death and destruction but also the soul.
  • Realm of Daxis (Under Gods/Dragons) is the only place to find more—hinted this is why Fisher seeks a dragon alliance.

Adina’s Prophetic Book ([65:09–75:49], [110:51–115:54])

• Magical scene: Paper birds unfold, forming Adina’s journal—full of cryptic, timed entries just for Seras.
  • Lexi: “This is such amazing magic. The coded way Idina says the book is among the stars…one of the reasons I love fantasy so much.” [69:59]
• Cosmic consequences: Adina warns: Seras must follow instructions, not skip ahead, or risk “the end of the world” and her own soul.
  • Nicole’s concern: “It feels a bit puppet-master; is Adina just filling Zarath’s role? Seras hated being at someone’s mercy. Now it’s Adina guiding her fate.” [114:44]

Nullblades & Magical Weapons ([43:57–47:10])

• Null blades are "evil artifacts" that sap magic, hurt anyone who touches them—but seem to power up the rot/Feeders.
  • Lexi theory: Belacan’s warriors either have something making them immune…or they're forced to suffer the pain. [45:26–45:46]

Carryon's Plant Magic Easter Egg ([86:23–86:33])

• When struck by the feeder: “The vines suddenly bloom…instantly wilt.” A hint of untapped elemental magic, likely will develop further.

3. Foreshadowing and Theories

• Carrion’s reluctance: Despite his birthright, he feels unworthy to rule the Fae—Archer and others' belief in him is a turning point.
• The cost of sealing brimstone: Adina repeatedly emphasizes "a great cost"—is it a sacrifice of Seras’s soul, her love, or something else?
• Daddy Watch™: The ongoing question—Is Fisher’s father Finren? Is he also Styx? The lost toe/lost shadow story hints at godly heritage, possibly divine foreshadowing.
• Oracle/Prophecy Tension: Will following Adina’s book backfire? Will Seras claim her own destiny by deviating, or is total trust required?
  • Lexi hypothesizes: “I can see this book working for a while, then things start to go off path. Seras deciding to do her own thing.” [115:54]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nicole: "Kingfisher tells Seras she is not his weakness. She is his strength." [17:14]
• Lexi, on Everlane's possession: “Her soul is tethered…maybe because of Malcolm’s venom, half blood curse, half something else.” [28:07]
• Nicole, on Adina’s book: "This book changes the fucking game." [113:26]
• Nicole, on Hayden’s disloyalty: "But just like always, Hayden Fane was given a soft fucking landing." [107:18]
• Lexi, on Archer the fire sprite: "Archer is the best…the way he gets so frazzled…just wants to do well for Saris." [133:05]
• Lexi, on Brimstone’s cost: "Every last bit would mean the fire sprites die—saving the world would wipe them out." [91:04]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lorreth's Ballad (Chapter Summaries): [07:50–11:39]
• Everlane Possession & Open Gate: [18:10–32:46]
• Seras & Fisher reunion: [13:27–18:09]
• Foley & Fisher bromance, self-loathing arc: [51:41–63:42], [58:25]
• Brimstone discovery: [83:51–91:12], [129:46–132:58]
• Adina’s book, prophecy & concerns: [65:09–75:49], [110:51–115:54]
• Hayden’s betrayal: [102:00–110:45]

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Rusarius's Library: Brimstone Deep Dive ([129:46–132:58])

• Element of soul, death, and destruction
  • Sealing the rune comes at great cost; linked with mastery over life and death.
  • Fire sprites' life force, non-renewable; killing rot would mean extinction without another (Daxis) source.
  • Alchemists historically avoided it; but Seras needs it to save the world.

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Favorite Moments (“Prancing Through the Snow with Onyx”) ([133:05–135:27])

• Sand pouring from Kingfisher’s boots as he returns—symbols of coming home.
• Carrion’s “balls retract up into their bodies whenever you’re around” joke [134:12]
• Fisher singing to Onyx the fox and being rewarded with a pinecone [134:21]
• Archer, earnest as ever, rallying his pyre to save him with Brimstone.
• Seras and Fisher’s tender exchanges: "Whenever you need me to catch you—I'm here, ready and willing." [135:27]

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Final Thoughts

Despite some concerns about prophecy vs. autonomy, Lexi and Nicole are visibly invested and excited for what’s next, especially the difficult compromises and costs that sealing the Brimstone rune will require. Brimstone’s unique magic, the stakes for the fire sprites, and the emotional betrayals/rifts (both familial and romantic) make these chapters a turning point for both the plot and character relationships.

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Looking Ahead

• Next episode: Chapters 37–45 ("Time to dismantle the Blood Court!")
• Speculation: Will Seras seal her Brimstone rune, or find another way? Can Hayden redeem himself? Will the fire sprites survive? Can prophecy and free will coexist?

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Additional Info:
Follow Fantasy Fangirls on Instagram/TikTok @FantasyFangirlsPod
Join their Fan Club at fantasyfangirls.com/fanclub
Listen to Fantasy FanFellas for Mistborn content

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Summary by Fantasy Fangirls, reflecting the wit, warmth, and wild theorizing of Lexi and Nicole as they journey through the Quicksilver world.

Transcript

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[Lexi]

They ever actually clean the ball pit.

[Nicole]

At these kids play gyms?

[Lexi]

Or is my kid just swimming in.

[Nicole]

A vat of bacteria catching whatever cootie.

[Lexi]

Of the day is breeding in there?

[Nicole]

A cootie that'll probably take down our whole family.

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[Nicole]

This episode is brought to you by Royal Match, the free to play mobile game played by millions of people around the world, including yours truly. The holiday season is great, but also stressful and something I've started to enjoy when I need to blow off steam is a quick break with a game on my phone. That is where Royal Match comes in.

[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

Download Royal Match for free on the App Store or Google Play today.

[Nicole]

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. The new year is a time for resolutions and new goals. But what if one of your goals could be just a less burdened you to let go of expectations and just be yourself. Therapy can help you achieve these kinds of goals. That's what I'm working on in therapy.

[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

So I had therapy yesterday, which honestly was so wonderful and so needed because it was one of those therapy days where we got to sit down and really talk about where I've come over the last two years. Because two years ago I would not have been able to say I'm feeling really stimulated, probably because I've been working so many hours and I haven't been taking care of myself. I would have instead just white knuckled life and pretended like everything's fine. But yesterday I said, you know what? I'm not feeling super great. I'm going to take the rest of the day off. And you know what time I stopped working yesterday, Lexi? 4pm 3pm and I texted my therapist, Taylor and she was so proud.

[Lexi]

Better help makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% [e-mail] that's betterhelp.com FFG.

[Nicole]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls podcast where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy lore, character theme series and more.

[Lexi]

I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.

[Nicole]

And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.

[Lexi]

And today is episode five of Brimstone by Callie Hart where we are covering chapters 29 through 36. Please, oh please listen to our spoiler warning for these Brimstone episodes. Spoiler. Spoiler spoilers for all of Brimstone. Yes, even up to the last sentence of the book. We may also reference any of the bonus chapters from Quicksilver or Brimstone.

[Nicole]

Have you ever wondered why this book is called Brimstone? We're gonna talk about it today and if you don't know why, then please go finish the book. We will be here when you're done.

[Lexi]

Next, we at Fantasy Fangirls are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, this podcast is.

[Nicole]

Rated R. While we are on our second to last sex scene at the top of the episode, I'm afraid the majority of our R ratedness today will be in the form of choice words for one Hayden Fane. So please be mindful of those little.

[Lexi]

Listening ears, our poor executive producer Hayden, who spelled the same way editing this today. We apologize in advance. We love you. We love you. Also, we are so excited to see you at upcoming live events on March 6th through 8th in Dallas, Texas. Nicole and I are going to be podcast partners at Dreamers and Readers festival.

[Nicole]

And on April 8th we are partnering with the Denver Nuggets and Rebecca Yarros for a Fourth Wing themed basketball night at Ball Arena.

[Lexi]

Bet you all didn't know that we were such big sports fans, huh?

[Nicole]

Me neither.

[Lexi]

Plus we have a very exciting something on April 19th in Seattle. More details coming very, very soon on that.

[Nicole]

Check out our website or the links below for more information to these events, including a promo code for Dreamers and readers. Also welcome, welcome, welcome Fantasy Fan fellas to the Fantasy Fangirls Media Network.

[Lexi]

Our very own Executive producer Hayden and booktok star Stephen Walker just wrapped up season one of their new podcast where they dive deep into Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn.

[Nicole]

Hayden is an expert in Sanderson's Cosmere and has already read the Mistborn series.

[Lexi]

But Steven has not. So each episode only includes spoilers up to the chapters covered as Hayden takes Steven through his first time reading Mistborn.

[Nicole]

Season one is out now and available on the Fantasy Fanfellas feed. Link is in the show notes and season two is coming very very soon. Be sure to give them a follow antasy Fanfellas on TikTok and Instagram for more information.

[Lexi]

Last thing before we jump Into Brimstone Episode 5. If you love Fantasy Fangirls and want more events, more content, more community and so much more, please check out Fantasy Fan Club.

[Nicole]

We have three membership tiers that you can join. Number one is the Hive Mind which includes access to our Boppin Discord live Q&As from Lexi and I, a book club often featuring the authors themselves for a live Q and A community events, promo codes for live events plus 20% off and access to exclusive merch. That is all for $6 a month. Or you can join the Spice Watchers which includes everything from the Hive Mind plus early access to ad free episodes, our free full episode outlines and special voting privileges. That is for $10 a month. And then we have the Feral Fans which includes everything from the previous two tiers plus behind the scenes content, a welcome gift, giveaways, private Discord channel called the Dining Room and your name shouted out on the podcast that is for $25 a month.

[Lexi]

Join the party at fantasyfangirls.com fan club. The link is also in the show Notes and Friends, we are currently running a special where if you get an annual membership you get 33 months for free. Yay. And as always thank you so much for supporting us as we have turned this Podcast this media network into an absolute dream come true. We appreciate you with all of our hearts. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Nicole]

And now it is time to save Archer.

[Lexi]

To start off every episode, Nicole does us the honor of summarizing this stretch of chapters. So gather round as we sing Laura's ballad to discuss what happens in chapters 29 through 36 of Brimstone.

[Nicole]

Chapter 29. Hayden is here. He's finally with the Fae now serious, be a good girl and rest for the day. King Fisher is ready to join Cerys in the bath, but sand pours out of his boots from his trips. Aftermath. First, a few questions about Oathbound Fae. But they're safe here in Kalish. We don't have to worry about it today. I said a bang, bang, bangity bang. The whole of Kalish will hear.

[Lexi]

Saeris sang.

[Nicole]

Chapter 30 banging on the door. Seirs wakes up in a fright. Everlane's awake.

[Lexi]

Quick. Follow that fire sprite.

[Nicole]

She's awake, but not really. Shit. Something's wrong. Even with everyone holding her. How is she so strong? She's talking to someone.

[Lexi]

Who could it be?

[Nicole]

Seiris puts a stop to her episode.

[Lexi]

Whee.

[Nicole]

With the rot spreading fast, the new plan kinda sucks. They are abandoning the border. They won't be sitting ducks back in Amitrea. They're off to see Tal. But they find Sylvania instead. And she's not Cerys Pal. Instructed to deliver deliver the lost letters to Foley. Sylvania sulks off and knock, knock. Tao, you're having an orgy. Chapter 31 smash cut to Fisher sharing a song with the Fox. And he goes on to share a moment with Foley to talk. The lost brothers chat about Foley's hideaway and his stubbornness to leave brings Fisher quite the dismay. Chapter 32 Back to Tal and his eager bedmates. Just one moment, ladies. He needs to chat with Serious. Please wait. About the Gnoll Blades and their horrid feeling. Oh yeah. And Serious, do you know about the Even Light? She doesn't want to go to a ball. Not quite. Sucks to suck. Sayrus, darling, you need to go and pick the new Lord of Midnight. She's got more important things to do. Like go to the library to start. Where the paper planes in the night sky are like shooting stars.

[Lexi]

A book. A book.

[Nicole]

The paper planes turn and cracking open the spine. It looks like Idina gave much for Seras to learn and share with her mate. Despite Edina's warnings. Turns out that command was just a test. And Serious is scoring. Chapter 33 to her dearest kingfisher, Adina writes she has no regrets in this life. Above all, she wishes she could explain. But no matter what, she's proud of her boy and the man he became. Chapter 34 Idina's book is full of secrets and twists, but Serious can't read it right now because of her damn to do list. In the Forge, Serious is studying the Gnollblade's properties when Archer runs away in the fresh breeze. But the super feeders attack. They're killing poor Archer. Oh no. Serious tries to attack with the null blades, but it absorbs into the foe.

[Lexi]

The brimstone that slays the beast.

[Nicole]

Let's get Archer inside before he will cease. Chapter 35 Good news we learned what destroys the rot. The bad news is that it would leave the fire sprites diddly squat. Which leaves them back to square one.

[Lexi]

Woof.

[Nicole]

So Sarus and Fisher decide to have a drink and sit on the roof. He shares the story about how his father traded with the Graven and how his shadows are his greatest strengthen. Chapter 36 Hayden's awake. Think the four winds seirys can finally talk with her brother about all that's happened. But something is off. Hayden's not happy to see her. Not a bit. It turns out he bought all that Madra propaganda bullshit. Understandably, this shocks his big sister when she slaps Hayden. Take that, mister. Her rune. Her rune. Her rune is on fire. The brimstone mark is starting to get dire to Idina's book. She turns and learns that this is all a big plan. Idina has seen the way that things will land, so she wrote a step by step guide. You see, however, Seiris cannot skip ahead or else the world will end in travesty.

[Lexi]

Yay.

[Nicole]

You did it.

[Lexi]

Guess what? It is time to dawn our relics and step through the quicksilver to explore key insights, character analysis, lore, foreshadowing theories, and oh so much more. As we open this stretch of chapters, everybody's back together again. Finally. I mean, Hayden is still unconscious from traveling through the Quicksilver. Even with a relic, he did have that. But at least he is now here in Yvelia. Obviously, Hayden can't be an Amon traitor with the vampires. He is a human after all. And besides the obvious of vampires wanting to om nom nom him, there are also no healers in Amon Treth who know anything about the human body. So it was an easy, necessary decision to bring Hayden back to college. Which, remember, they could do quickly by transporting him through the Quicksilver pool, and along with bringing Hayden here to Fisher's estate in Kalish, Carrion and KingFisher also have two big bags of silver huzzah to drop off in the college armory. Before I hand the mic over to Nicole for the very sweet Sarahs and Fisher reunion, I want to focus on Sarris's new short swords. Sol Alice Fish's father's Godzword claimed Seras and it belongs to her now. After she sealed her Quicksilver rune, she was able to simply think it and separate them. No forge required anymore. Twice the power. The shortswords are engraved in winding script written in Old Fae. One of them, the one with the abalone inlay in the hilt is called Arimar, which means mercy, and the other with the ivory inlay is Selenir, meaning honor according to Fisher. Maybe those are traits they decided to bless you with. So I'm going to be honest, the first words I think of with Sarris Fane are not mercy and honor. Maybe she's more merciful than her mate as she demonstrated with Orias. And she had mercy for the vampires refusing to destroy the Blood Court when she got the crown.

[Nicole]

That is extremely true and Kingfisher doesn't exactly set the bar high to go more merciful than him.

[Lexi]

And now that I'm saying all of that, I suppose it does fit her because she comes from the oppressed and she wants to do better, be better than that, have more mercy and be honorable. So that brings us to honor. I think that is especially a nod to her continuing to come into her power and save the world.

[Nicole]

Yes, after two days apart in which each of them individually were put up against trials, deadly scenarios, that was enough for these two God bound mates. They both agree that never again will they separate going forward. Wherever they go, they will go together and face together. I always love this. I think it is so flipping sweet. Even if it was after only two days and at first I was like you guys would never be able to handle a long distance relationship. But I do love this trope in Romantasy. Not because of them like needing to be at each other's side, but instead it's the showing of we are in this together. As Saris mentions, he is her safe place, he is her shield that protects her against the dangers of the world. They are each other's home and being connected in this way is deeply important going forward. This is why I am leaning further and further away from this trade that happens at the end of the book. And I'm assuming Early next book is going to result in them splitting up, meaning Kingfisher staying Dioxus. Saver's going back to Evilia. If they separate, I do think it would be against their will, which I'm really hoping does not happen because there's a lot of loose ends to tie up when these two need to be together. I want to say that I do love this scene with Kingfisher and Serious. They're choking, they're tickling each other, they're naked, they're laughing in bed and and are just being a couple in love. They're not being this like, I love you, like super intense. They're choking and. And laughing. In a series where the stakes are so high and everything feels so flipping heavy, moments like this are really important for us as readers as it grounds us and it reminds us that this is what the characters are fighting for.

[Lexi]

Exactly. I also love seeing Seras be silly. It is so healing for her. She was a fierce, independent woman in Quicksilver who put her walls up and was not always very pleasant. And now we're seeing this other side of her who is laughing and loving and letting Joy into her life. And honestly, I mean, the same could be said for Fisher here. And I think that especially after being in Sarah's POV all of last book, I'm so happy that she is getting to be happy right here.

[Nicole]

We get a short and sweet intimate scene here, but in the same tone of what we were just talking about. It is sweet at least like I'll call it dark romance sweet, which I think can be summarized in two lines. Kingfisher saying, quote, relax, I've got you. You can let go a line like this Serious needed after last day and honestly last book too. But referring to the previous day she had, she fought off five guards and blew up a side of a building all within like 48 hours. Things were unstable. And now with Kingfisher back in her world, it's righted. She doesn't feel like she needs to hold herself upright all the time. And he is allowed to catch her and hold her and she can let go.

[Lexi]

Exactly. And he knows when to celebrate and support her when she is managing on her own. Like right after he came through the Quicksilver and asked if Serious needed him here in this scene, he is happy to tell her how hot that was when she fought those guards single handedly. He doesn't expect or need her to need him, but he is right here for her when she does and is really good about communicating that. So she Knows it with her whole heart.

[Nicole]

Yes. Then Kingfisher tells Serous that she is not his weakness. She is his strength. This right here, this is what I love about romance and love stories. Love and relationships, they are not a weakness. They give yourself the space and the ability to love someone deeper, more than you ever thought capable. And Seiris, who has always held others at arm's length because she viewed friendships, let alone relationships, not just as a weakness, but as literally a liability on her life. Oh, my God. To hear that she is someone's strength, she needed to hear that from her mate.

[Lexi]

Yes. And this is why I awarded Fisher my number one book Boyfriend of the year. No, that does not include Cassian. I did not have much time with Cassian this year. But that's okay. We're still very strong. But Kingfisher is definitely. This book made him number two.

[Nicole]

Oh, yeah.

[Lexi]

Remember Everlane? The Fisher sister who still has not woken up, except that one time with Serris? Well, bad news. She has taken a turn for the worse.

[Nicole]

It's only been, like, a week and a half.

[Lexi]

My point is, she has taken a turn for the worse, and she is seizing. What's more, before Sarah's raced in here, Karion and Danya found Everlane strangling Talena. And Danya is also sporting a bloody nose from Lane punching her. Yes, Nicole, you are right. Danya and Carrion definitely fucked. I was wrong. You were right. I was gonna say move on, but do you need a moment?

[Nicole]

No, I'm just relishing. And you can move on. But I'm so glad this is on camera.

[Lexi]

You. Yes, you are correct. And everybody else who knew I was wrong as well.

[Nicole]

You're all correct.

[Lexi]

Lane is also yelling for someone or something to stay back. Leave me alone. And she's begging, please, no, don't. But even though Lane is talking, she is not mentally here. She's awake, in a sense, but her consciousness is trapped behind a wall or some kind of barrier that is preventing her mind from truly being able to come forward. And this wal is blocking. Everleen's mind is so thick and so high, there is no way to bring it down. That's how Talena explains it. When she reaches out with her magic, she feels something is so wrong with Lane, there's a weight pressing down on her, noting that her soul is dressed in shadows. Serris feels this, too, when she uses her magic to push in. Which I'm guessing that's the healing restoration magic again at work, it seems. I do want to point out this Mention of her soul being dressed in shadows. Especially as this episode is so focused on Brim stone and it representing the soul and its connection to Daxis.

[Nicole]

Yes, we need to talk about this right away. Based off what Lain is saying, we know that someone is in her mind with her as she's feeling trapped. It's almost like someone is attacking her in the shadowy darkness as she screams, leave me alone. Leave me alone. But here's where we get that clarification that we know someone is with her in Everlane's eyes. Quote, a figure lurked in her pale green eyes. The dark outline of a looming figure. It seemed to grow, getting closer. This is so spooky. I love it. And the spookiness turns to horror when it becomes clear how much this figure is hurting her. When Serious reaches out with her magic, she only hears a whispered run, run, run from the quicksilver in her mind. When Saeris goes to touch Lane, though, she. She feels that looming darkness that Telena had.

[Lexi]

And Saris is able to note that Everlane is not alone in this place, as it feels like something is pressing down into the wet soils of hell. Yeah. And again, that mention of she is definitely not alone because we can see some figure. We don't know who, but some figure. That's so weird. So creepy, so good.

[Nicole]

I wonder if it's one of the two dudes that we meet at the very end. Oh, that's what. I'm one. Or Sticks, but not finsticks. This would be fin. Sticks are different people. So this would be stick sticks.

[Lexi]

Could it possibly be Malcolm? I know that he's not directly connected to Dioxus, but we still don't know if she absolutely is. We know. Open the gate. Open. The gate is open. All of that.

[Nicole]

I will talk about that more in a moment.

[Lexi]

Okay. All right.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Lexi]

Right?

[Nicole]

But then Sares hears something else. Quote, the gate is open. It cannot be closed. The gate is open. The gate is. The gate is. And this is all in a dreaded voice coming from Everlane's mouth.

[Lexi]

Her eyes fly open, her tongue protruding awkwardly, teeth stained red. She is possessed. When this voice comes out of her, it is so scary. I love it.

[Nicole]

So, based on this gate is open phrasing, I can only imagine that this figure is looming in the shadow in Diaxis. I think we can agree on that, yes.

[Lexi]

I don't know for sure. I don't know.

[Nicole]

I guess that brings me to a question then, because is Everlane's soul in Diaxis, and how did it get there?

[Lexi]

I think it still is, like, within her, but it is tethered to something or someone else. And again, when I think about that, all I keep coming back to is, how could that have possibly happened? And it is from Malcolm's venom. And so it's almost like she's trapped in this half blood curse, half not blood curse sort of thing. But at the same time, it doesn't match any of the descriptions that we would imagine. What I'm very confused about is it was through Everlane that the quicksilver was telling Seras to open the gate back in Chapter nine, and then it's Serris who opens the gate. So is this somehow the same entity, but not through the quicksilver, but whatever is possessing Everlane? Like, what I'm trying to say is, before it was the quicksilver telling her to open the gate, and now there's this very, very creepy. I'm going to call it Demon, for lack of a better word, that is possessing Ever Lane that is speaking through her all like, the gate is open, and that is clearly not the same quicksilver that was talking before.

[Nicole]

That's true. And maybe this is. I'll call it the Quicksilver, the dark quicksilver that they'll go through in order to get to Diaxis. So maybe it's a different portal. I have another theory. The chapter title for this, where this scene occurs. The chapter title is called Leash, assumably referring to Sabris telling Carrion that her connection to Tal feels more like a leash than anything. But that's way later in the chapter, and quite frankly, this seems like more of the pressing, enticing moment of this chapter. So what if that chapter title has a double meaning? Yes, for Sarah's talking about her Connection to Tal. But what if it's also a nudge for how Everlane is on a leash to someone? Which brings me to my theory. She was bitten by Malcolm and started the turning process. So what if she is still leashed to Malcolm and he somehow, I'll call it pulling on that leash, holding her in the Shadowlands. And maybe Malcolm is also in Diaxis. Maybe. Maybe he's not. Or maybe he's just having her possessed by demons. But what if Everlane is saying that this like, no, please, no, please, no, stay away. Is to Malcolm as he's like pulling on her leash and she can't get away.

[Lexi]

That to me makes the absolute most sense because I saw that chapter title and I was like, this doesn't feel like it really applies. Like yeah, it's to go find Tao. But again, like you said, like it. That was not like the bigger part of the scene. So I love that idea of this having that double meaning there with her being on some kind of leash. Like I was saying, like it's like her soul is tethered, but it's not. Maybe somewhere else sort of thing. But magic, you know, it's magic. Right? As far as it goes with Diaxis, though, I. That is really where. I don't know how the puzzle pieces all come together because I don't see Malcolm floating in the ether, finding his way to Daxis. And that becomes. I mean, like I don't see him materializing again. I really don't. I don't know.

[Nicole]

I don't know either. But I. I do wonder if this leash is Forever Lane being leashed to someone. I would assume Malcolm. But who knows, because he died. What happens to that person's leash when they're turning and they die? I don't know. I don't know.

[Lexi]

Yeah, exactly. I love how you thought of that though.

[Nicole]

Thank you.

[Lexi]

The group also wonders, rightly so, if what just happened with Ever is related to the rot. I will say this. I'm struggling to believe that it really is though. If the rot is related to some kind of blood curse that I know I've been going on and on about, then I do think that could be how it is indirectly tied to Everlane. I wonder too if it'll be Fisher somehow using his shadows to be able to help his sister since his shadow magic seems to be of the realm where the gate was opened. And maybe you know, with like this thick wall and like these shadows pressing in on her or something. Like maybe he. He somehow will be able to Help her with his. I'll call it good shadows. But again, it's like. But there is that big question of why would some kind of demon, or whatever it is, Malcolm, whoever it is, to be so insistent about this with the gate being open and how it cannot be closed. It feels very much like a threat. And now that I'm saying it, I really do think maybe it is more related to the rot. Although in Daxis is where the brimstone is, so the gate being open is literally an access to defeating the rot.

[Nicole]

I don't think it's related. I think the more and more I think about it, I think they're not related because, like, they're polarizing entities, right? And I don't think either is good, but I don't think they're together.

[Lexi]

Just because they're both bad does not mean that they are together.

[Nicole]

With everyone back together, it's time for some new marching orders for our characters to start. They'll go back to Erin to do a quick checkup on the war camp and the darn river where the first attack occurred from the super feeders. Remember, they had to abandon this a few days ago, but they need to see how bad the rot has spread since. Sadly, we do not get any hectare math this episode. Danya is going to go back to the temporary rallying point where and check on the warriors there to make sure they're all good in the hood. This is where the Erin warriors went after they had to abandon that war camp. And she is going to get them ready to leave as Fisher plans to bring them back to Kalish now the following day. But sadly, because of this means that they're going to have to abandon the border and pull their forces way, way back because of the rot.

[Lexi]

Because, yep, there is no way that they can go back to the war camp. For starters, there's deadly infectious rot spreading there now. And second, this front line defending all of Evelia from the vampires and feeders is pointless now. Sanis wrath is no longer the enemy. Now that Sarris is queen, she has stopped the feeders from being able to attack. If there are infected feeders, they've proved they don't care about the border or the river or anything. Our crew has a new, bigger problem now. They have to pivot priorities, let go of the border and make the border collish. Now, as they continue combating this rot, this is a whole new enemy that they are dealing with. Borders don't matter anymore. Which, yeah, I can imagine that this is a tough pill to swallow. Sort of barely sympathizing with Danya here when your only goal for centuries was to defend that border. Now it is a punch in the gut that it's no longer important anymore.

[Nicole]

As for Lorath, he is going to get Ishbal from Nevercross. Why is it a good idea to pair these two together? I don't know. I think Fisher's like, same thing here.

[Lexi]

Thank you. But then I would. I would be on the same boat as you. But then once when he sees her, after the whole thing with the Vampire Court goes down, I don't think anything happened between them.

[Nicole]

He's mad.

[Lexi]

I do not get Star Cross, angry lover vibes from that whatsoever.

[Nicole]

I think they've got a long ways to go as enemies to lovers. The crew does not need access to the catacombs anymore at Nevercross because they have the Blood Court library. But they do need a witch to help them with Everlane. And maybe together.

[Lexi]

A witch, A witch, A witch.

[Nicole]

And maybe together, Telenna and Ishabel can find a way to bring Everlane out of this state. Talena is obviously going to stay in Kalish with Lane and Hayden, especially since Hayden will be waking up any day now, and someone's going to need to answer his questions and keep him from wandering off. And we all know that Fisher does not want that to happen. I love that Fisher caught that immediately. And Sarah's was like, I love that he can read my brother so well. I mean, Wild Fisher's like, I hate this kid. Ren is still off, supposedly warning villages through Galaria about the rot. However, we know now that he has actually been called in as a Knight of Aristean, and he is guarding the open gate to Dioxus.

[Lexi]

Oh. So I don't know if the timelines exactly match up, but we know that he will be called to the Azhen Gate. It's happening kind of like right around this time right now, Right?

[Nicole]

It was two days or about any time in the last two days, because it was when she opened the gate. That was when they were like, oh, shit, we need to call in the other night nights. And then I'm assuming probably 24 to 48 hours later, that's when he felt his like. But the Bat signal. The Bat signal called him, because I.

[Lexi]

Remember that he gets called in after beasts come out and kill, like, six of them, so they know that they need more reinforcements. What I'm wondering is if this episode with Everlane matches up when that big gate opening and beasts coming out happened.

[Nicole]

Oh, my God, I love that sure, sure.

[Lexi]

Again, I have no idea if the times match up. I'm just thinking about this on the spot, so give me a little bit of time to check my facts. But yeah. Anyway, sadly, our crew will not know that this is happening to Remphas for a long time. Remphas will have been on his way to Ballard after warning the King of the Glarion Fae, Royon, but he never makes it to Ballard. My favorite place. Also, real quickly, I feel like that's an Easter egg with the King of the Galarian Fae. Like Carrion's got to meet up with him and become allies with him so that they can take on Bella Khan, right?

[Nicole]

Yep. I would assume so. I would assume so, yeah. I would also assume that Carrion's probably drawn photos or pictures of Royan because of his book.

[Lexi]

You're right.

[Nicole]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lexi]

I'm calling it. He's coming back in book three.

[Nicole]

That is something we can agree on. Look at us go. Sarys, Fisher and Carrion, they will all go back to Amontreith to retrieve more books from the library of On Alchemy. I do love that Kingfisher calls Carrion to come with him and his mate. I like to think that after their boys trip, Fisher has now a soft spot for this Dianthus heir and he wants to. I don't know if this is exactly the right wording, but I'll call it take him under his wing. Get it? Wing he Kingfisher bird. Thank you for the pity.

[Lexi]

Laughter.

[Nicole]

I appreciate it.

[Lexi]

We've discussed this a little with how maker and child vampire bonds work. And here is when Seras does give us some of that insight, she can sense Tal and always knows where he is because she feels like she's on a leash. Sarris's bond with Fisher is not that same physical draw where it feels like a leash, like a required tether. With Fisher, their connection is her home, her safe place. They are part of each other as God bound mates. She's drawn to him because he is her home, not because she feels like she has to. Which is a huge difference. Difference.

[Nicole]

While on their way to Taladius Room, they run into the Lord of Midnight, the Keeper of missives. Zavina. Remember, Zavina is theatric. From the beginning, she's made it very clear that not only does she hate Seris, but she believes her unfit to rule the Blood Court. She also really hates the Lupo Proalia for a lot of reasons, but probably mainly because Malcolm also hated the Lupa Paralia and they were fighting against the Blood Court and you know, just wasn't really great. Also, it sounded like Zovina is hot for teacher. She also was the reason that Taladeus came to the Blood Court because he was in love with her and she abandoned him somehow some way. We don't really know a whole lot of details on that.

[Lexi]

Under the impression she led him on. He thought he had a chance with her by turning vampire and it was all just a game to her. And he did know that like deep down. But Tal was so in love with Zavena that he saw her with those rose colored glasses.

[Nicole]

That is also the impression I got.

[Lexi]

Yes.

[Nicole]

So it's very clear that Tal and Savinia both have very bad blood now. But in her own defiance of the loop of Paralia, she took it upon herself to hold back any and all letters that the LP was trying to get to fully. I cannot express how much I despise her for doing this. She is maybe not the reason, but she is a reason. He has felt more and more alone here in the Blood Court without the letters. It only solidified the belief that Foley had that no one could ever love him or care about him as a vampire and that he was right to fully cut himself off from his family. Maybe, just maybe, if he had the letters, it would have gotten through his very thick skull that he is actually loved and cared for. So, gfdz, I also think that she.

[Lexi]

Is responsible for feeding Bellicon information. With the way she says how difficult it is to deliver messages to their spies abroad. And then Orayas had literally told Sarah's that people talk here. I bet you anything she is facilitating those messages there.

[Nicole]

I love that idea. Yes, I will. I will go with that as well.

[Lexi]

I'll also continue on that. If it is so difficult to deliver messages to spies abroad, could she be talking about two different realms?

[Nicole]

Luckily, Sarah's orders. And remember, her orders have to be followed because she is queen. She orders that Savina gives those letters to Foley today personally.

[Lexi]

So, question for you, Nicole. Seris thinks how Zavina smells sweet like rotten fruit and a sensual, erotic smell hits the back of his nose. It's so intoxicating that it makes her head spin a little. Do you think that this is from Serris's connection with Tal and it's like Savina is still intoxicating to him even with that bad blood between them? Or is it a reflection on how fake Savina is?

[Nicole]

I really hope it's the first. I'm gonna go with the first. Even if that's just my own headcanon. Yeah, that's good.

[Lexi]

I wonder why. And it's oh. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.

[Nicole]

I love that.

[Lexi]

Anyway, let's turn our attention to Tal. Oh my God. I can see your penis. But seriously, this is where we learn how Tal gets by with drinking living blood. Remember that in order to survive as a vampire, to keep your immortality, you must drink blood from the living. You have a thirst for it. You are a vampire. Most vampires use thralls. And it is highly eluded that bellcon has been supplying the living to feed these tens of thousands of vampires. Vampires. But that's not how Tal rolls. And I love how he has found the workaround. Like he's found a loop in how terrible it is to be a vampire with sex. We all know what dosing is by now and how it's like a sex drug that gives you the best orgasms. Turns out there are Fae who are happy for that reward in exchange for a little bit of their blood. So you know what? Good for you, Tao. Big sex orgy feast for you. Everybody wins. It feels like he is beating the system in his own way. And that is so talented. Ah. This is also where we learn what a sex God he is.

[Nicole]

Talladeus, Superb sex lover extraordinaire. Yeah, pleasuring women all at once. I love this moment where it leaves Gary and intimidated.

[Lexi]

And he had the triplets from commas not too long ago.

[Nicole]

Incredible. It's so smart. This is so smart on Tal's behalf to get to drink from women. They get get dosed. I'm not gonna lie. If you're gonna live in the blood court, this is kind of the way to do it.

[Lexi]

Okay, so my biggest goal for Carrion now is to participate in a sex orgy with Tal where he can handle himself. And you know, another big goal for him is becoming the rightful king of the Gavellian Fae. But I think a nice reward of that and then his cherry on top of his true character development in this whole series is that he can go toe to toe with Tao.

[Nicole]

You know what?

[Lexi]

Boink.

[Nicole]

You know what I hope for Carrion? I hope he gets to pleasure eight women all at once. And Taladeus gets to be like, good job my guy. Living the dream. It's convenient that Carrion and Cerus are here though because Taladeus wanted to ask Cerus what the fuck this is. And he's not talking about his orgy pulling out.

[Lexi]

We are not mature enough to cover sex, Archies. Apparently.

[Nicole]

Pulling out one of the Gnollblade which is wrapped in a black silk scarf. Tal tells Seiras that he found this while inspecting the tomb where the Quicksilver pool is in Amitreas. This is also where Belakan's guards attacked just yesterday. Like everyone else in Cerys's inner circle, Tal has never heard of a Gnoll blade before. Before, when he picked it up without any PPE touching it, it nearly put him in the ground.

[Lexi]

Wait.

[Nicole]

We're good.

[Lexi]

I thought you were talking about the. Not with his ppe.

[Nicole]

That's not the convenient way.

[Lexi]

Forgot about the COVID ages. Please continue.

[Nicole]

Shouldn't we all. This null blade with his pee pee made him want to pee, peel his skin off and throw himself into the burning lake of fire. He calls it evil. And he does not want it in his chambers any longer. He has seven women to pleasure, damn it. He even tells Cirrus to go through it in a very, very deep pit. And then proceeds to give her instructions on where to find one. I love that. I don't blame him. Even Seiris just having it in her scabbard resting against her leg, it makes it go numb. So far, everyone who's been around these types of blades cannot stand to be near it. That does make me wonder how Belacan's warriors can appear to wield it without any negative consequences.

[Lexi]

I have a theory. I wonder if they have something else on their person that counters the negative impact. And so there is something that exists that makes them not feel it. You know what else I could see is Bellicon does not give two shits if they are uncomfortable and these poor people have just come to live with it.

[Nicole]

That is unfortunately, probably the most accurate statement.

[Lexi]

Probably doesn't make them the most effective soldiers.

[Nicole]

Do you think cares? I think he's smart enough to care.

[Lexi]

I do think that. That's why I think that it might be a little thing that they can counter it.

[Nicole]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll go with like a little like antithesis stone. Sure. And while everyone would just love to get rid of rid of this fucking null blade, they do need to know what this is. And more importantly, they need to figure out a way to defend against it. God forbid they face off with Belacan's men and every one of them is wielding a null blade. And they didn't figure out how to nullify the Gnoll blades. But as of right now, no one is able to affect it in any significant way with their magic. Not even Kingfisher, which Considering he has God blood in him is really saying something serious is the only one who can do anything with it. Even if. If it's just a little wiggle wiggle, wiggle wiggle. She does have her pee pee on it. Sounds like Seris notes that trying to use her magic to get the reed on the blade is like falling head first down a dark hole. It's unsettling. It leaves her unbalanced and nauseous. This sounds terrible.

[Lexi]

You know who would probably be able to help them figure out what this nullblade is? The Hasbrax. Damn it.

[Nicole]

You're right.

[Lexi]

I wonder how its magic is affected by the null blade.

[Nicole]

If it is.

[Lexi]

Or maybe the reason the Winter palace soldiers are not affected by the null blades are because that weird magic is somehow connected to the Triumvirate and they are bound to it in some way. I'm thinking about like Madra and her soldiers and maybe there's something similar. What if one of the favors that the Hazrat gave for Malcolm was to create something to counter this? And he gave those to Bellicon and. Yeah. Maybe.

[Nicole]

Maybe. So what I was thinking is. What if the Hasra track's next book calls? Oh wait. But she's already. Already called in her favor for the year. Damn it.

[Lexi]

They no longer have that deal.

[Nicole]

You're right. This would have been a good favor to Colin. What is this? How do I counter this? Tell me. I guess Kingfisher's more important.

[Lexi]

One more important takeaway from this naked towel interaction. There is a ball coming upstairs.

[Nicole]

And no it's not. Towels.

[Lexi]

Balls.

[Nicole]

Giant hanging balls. You.

[Lexi]

We love a good ball scene in a fish fantasy book idea. Oh my God. I'm so sorry everybody. I am not a mature adult. Tomorrow night is the evenly fall. And you all know what I'm about to ask. Is the Evenlight Ball on the same holiday as it is in Zolvarin? You all know how worried I am about the Zolvarin even late celebration happening off page. I do want to point out that Tal makes quite the assumption. A very accurate assumption. To Seras asking quote. You celebrate this in Zelvarin, right? Like the Evenlight Holiday is supposed to be connected between these realms. Only we know what exactly this holiday was for. While in Sylvarin, the festival is a day off with double rations of water and a bowl of greasy stew. Some music. And Madra doing her big speech about the dangers of magic and how mythical Fae monsters are trying to corrupt the city and steal their children here in Amontreith. It's a little more fun. Food, wine, dancing, sex. And this particular, even light ball in amontreaeth has two other important things on the agenda for time tomorrow night. Number one, disavowing Seras in front of everyone so she is no longer enthralled to tell like they agreed a few episodes ago. And number two, this election evening, only the second one ever held in this court where she has to choose a new fifth Lord of Midnight. And yes, serious, you have to go to this function. You are the queen. You have to rule over your court sometimes and be official every now and then. She is supposed to officially open the celebration celebrations. And it would be a very bad look for her already very shaky reign if she metaphorically spits at that tradition. Remember how much the vampires love their traditions.

[Nicole]

All right. I feel like you're gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. We're giving Sarus. Is it an l or a lowercase l? I think l. I think capital. I'm gonna turn L. It's a capital L. Time.

[Lexi]

Yeah, I. Sometimes we have to do things that we don't want to do, Sarah. Like when my children don't want to go to school. Too bad. Get in the car.

[Nicole]

Not the toddler reference again. This one I will allow because I actually do agree.

[Lexi]

Thank you.

[Nicole]

The reason she didn't want to flatten the Blood Court to the ground like a pancake is because she wanted to give this court a chance. She wanted to rule over them and see if they had a redemption on the horizon. And now she's like, I don't wanna, girl.

[Lexi]

Yeah. I will say this. I think there is a reason when we have covered other books, we focus a lot on the FMC's leadership and her evolution. Yeah. And that is not so much a focus in the series. And I will leave it at that.

[Nicole]

Yes, I would agree. Let's move on to something that makes me much happier. It is finally time for a double F reunion that we've been waiting for. Fisher makes his way into the library ready to see his long lost member of the Lupoprolia. Fisher and Foley were close, but not in the same way that him and Lorath are close. And they laugh and joke and hearty, hearty heart. Foley had always been one of the more serious members of the Luba Pralia, but that led to a very easy camaraderie between him and Fisher. Both were subjects to Belacan's usurping of the throne. Both members of the Lupa Prolia. As a result, the they were inseparable until the Battle of Azen Gate. But where in the library could Foley be? Luckily, Guru has got him covered. I find it very interesting little. A little interesting bit of Fisher lore that he has a rule to always follow cats, particularly black cats. I want to know so badly why this is the case. But I digress.

[Lexi]

You know what? It's probably some really fascinating, lovely story from one of his times in book Ballard. But I do have another crack theory about Guru. I wonder if he comes from Daxis or my other crack theory that maybe isn't so much a crack theory, because I really think this might actually be true. Finryn. He.

[Nicole]

And we have actually.

[Lexi]

And I actually. I don't. I really do wonder if Finryn conjured Guru when he and Adina. Maybe they did come to the library on the put the Stargazers here mission. And. And now Guru is here to watch over the birds and keep this library as a sanctuary.

[Nicole]

Not me thinking that you were saying that Finryn and Guru were the same person, and I'm.

[Lexi]

No, that's just crazy talk. That's more like you, Nicole.

[Nicole]

Listen, Finru can live on in my heart.

[Lexi]

Not the Roo nicknames again.

[Nicole]

I want a dog named Roo so badly. Guru leads him to the ladder, blending into. Into Fisher's own shadows to hitch a ride up. And it's there among the stars. The real stars, not the stargazers. That Fisher finds his friend. Before we get into the reunion, a little bit of backstory about Foley and his family. Because not only was his grandfather one of the last alchemists, but Foley hailed from the Briarstone family, who were advisors. Slash Hand of the Kings to King Rurik, only second to the dianthesis and power.

[Lexi]

Power.

[Nicole]

Foley was raised to be an advisor to the next ruler, AKA Carrion. I love the line about him asking who the hell Carrion is. And it makes Fisher chuckle. Because in another life or maybe a future book, Carrion and Foley would have been close. Doesn't even feel like the right word here. I feel like closer than close.

[Lexi]

Absolutely. I cannot wait for Foley and Carrion to get to know one another. If Foley is frustrated with Saris, his grumpiness is going to be a whole new level with the king. He's supposed to be the closest advisor to.

[Nicole]

That is a grumpy sunshine.

[Lexi]

I was just gonna say maybe that's who ends up together fully.

[Nicole]

I'm actually so here for that. So here for that.

[Lexi]

Oh, my God. Be like a workplace HR violation.

[Nicole]

I don't know if they have hr, Alexi, it's Guru. Guru's the hr.

[Lexi]

No, actually, probably Tal would be the HR person.

[Nicole]

I don't know. HR tried to blow up the Blood Court, then that's not a good look for HR department.

[Lexi]

I love this first interaction between Foley and Fisher. They're finally reunited. Fisher has been trying to get a hold of Foley for centuries. Foley has been hiding, not feeling worthy of the living like Fisher. But as fate would have it, Fisher's mate has become the Vampire Queen and now he and Lorath have found their way into Amitre. There's a certain awkwardness like Nicole was alluding to, but they still know one another very well and can draw upon their long history of truly knowing each other, each other being brothers. No matter how much time has passed between them, they can cut through the bullshit and speak to this podcast is.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

And do you know me? With my marketing background, I have pretty high standards for website tools, but Squarespace delivers in every way. One thing I love is their integrated Squarespace SEO tools. Every website is optimized to be indexed with meta descriptions, an auto generated site map and more. So you show up more often our search engines and bring in more of your ideal customers.

[Nicole]

Yes. Plus Squarespace's email campaigns give you all the tools you need to engage clients, promote your search services, and of course grow your business. There's all kinds of automations and email scheduling that helps take the mental load off of staying in touch with your customers and your community.

[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Nicole]

Even though he's been a vampire for over 800 years, Foley hates what he's become and he's desperate to hold on to any form of life as a fae. As a vampire, Foley does not need a fire. In fact, it would actually literally burst him into flames if he touched it. He could achieve even a super a similar illusion using even light and it would be far less deadly. But here we see that he Keeps a real burning fire in the hearth. Anyway, telling Fisher that the warmth of it reminds him what it was like to live. We've gotten a few short show don't tells of fully clinging on to what it feels like to be alive. From this fire to. To his affinity for the shadow cat, which, yes, I think he likes more because it's sweet and innocent and wonderful and it hitches rides up a ladder. I love this cat so much. It feels very fitting that Foley has made his home in the philosophy and morality section of the library, which is very funny that there's one in the Amontreith library. In his eyes, it is the safest place he could be, considering vampires don't really give a shit about either of those topics and they would have no reason to come to this section of the library. I just want to give him such a big hug. Foley.

[Lexi]

I know. Oh, he's created his own little sanctuary in this area, hidden from anyone else. I love how he is in the philosophy and morality section.

[Nicole]

Maybe if he got those letters, he might have actually, I don't know, left, hung out with his friends. God damn it, Zavina.

[Lexi]

It's been a theme for Foley, this book with how he hides from those he loves out of shame for what he is. And here we really see on full display the agony he lives in having to be a vampire. He would sell his soul to keep his loved ones safe, but he has no soul to even sell. He hates being what he has always considered the enemy. He cannot accept himself and he can't live with himself. But he has no choice, seeing the.

[Nicole]

Way that Foley is completely stuck in his ways, in his own mind. Pity party. Fisher takes it upon himself to prove this story that Foley is telling himself in his mind wrong. Foley says that he wouldn't be able to control his base instincts as a vampire if he was among the living. He would kill the Fae and drink them dry. But as Fisher bluntly points out, Foley has been around members of the Fae, Serous and Lorath to start, and very recently. And the thought of drinking them dry was preposterous to Foley. Lorath especially, because he's like family.

[Lexi]

The fear that he is drawing on is from right after he transitioned back after the battle of Azhin Gate. And remember that his friends found him and he had already killed some people from that bloodthirst. And he was so shamed of what he had done and so terrified. And his friends stayed with him as he finished the transition into becoming a vampire before he ran away because he could not bear that he was now a vampire and what he had already done. We all need a tough love friend like Fischer, who puts Foley's fear of not being able to stop himself from his vampire bloodthirst to the test. Fisher literally makes a small incision on himself to draw blood to tempt Foley or rather prove his point that Foley is not tempted when he gets too close to living blood. He's not a young vampire in anymore. He does not have to keep living in the past of what he's done when that's simply not the case centuries later.

[Nicole]

Considering Foley basically flies to the other side of the room, this is understandably infuriating for Fisher. The facts are all there, laid out in this 800 year plus history that Foley has more than enough control to be around his friends, his family, to be among the living again. And it was all only the story that Foley has told himself time and time again over the centuries that has been holding him back and away in his solitude. The bottom line is that Foley is good. He is a wolf, vampire or not. That is the truth. And it's time for him to start believing it. You mentioned that we all need a Fisher in our lives, and I want to just highlight that real quick because having someone like this in your life, I feel like is so important. Having someone who can challenge the story that you're telling yourself or that you believe in your mind about your own limitations. I know that you do this for me often and my husband too. Brett, the amount of time.

[Lexi]

Nicole, when is that deadline really?

[Nicole]

It is the fifth.

[Lexi]

No, I know that. That's my point though here, because usually it's very arbitrary and I'm a questioner. I need a good reason. I really wasn't referring to that one, though.

[Nicole]

I know.

[Lexi]

Too soon, Lexi.

[Nicole]

The amount of times that my husband says, is that really true? Like, for instance, if I'm saying I'm not good enough or I'm not smart enough or I'm not X, Y or Z enough. He says, is that really true? And it's enough for me to stop and challenge the thought that either was, you know, not very kind to myself or it was something that was holding me back from going after what I wanted. Actually, Lauren Moore. I'm going to give her a big shout out. The owner of Book Huddle and I had a big conversation yesterday because I. I was definitely in a Foley headspace and she gave me a talking to in the most loving Lauren way ever. So having these people in our lives is so important. Go Fisher and Go. Those people in your lives. Thank you, Lexi. My person.

[Lexi]

Of course. Thank you for being my person too.

[Nicole]

You're welcome. I literally have to have, like, morning.

[Lexi]

Calls with Nicole when my to do list is over. Like, 10 things, and she has to go through them with me to be like, is this really a priority today? As an offering I of trust, Fisher gives Foley the wooden box holding the one scorpion left of Joshen. Because this is a real demon, one that makes Foley go, dude, are you fucking serious? Like, what are you doing with this thing? Aha. You're looking pretty good in comparison, huh, Foley? Fisher can't risk leaving this box with a literal demon in it. In college, his home territory would be screwed if said demon somehow got out and he can't carry it around with him because the demon's always whispering the mean things to Fisher. He's put up with that for most of his life with a quicksilver. He does not need the demon starting this now when some of the quicksilver is gone. So if Foley is still part of the Lupo pro alia, he will accept this task of keeping this demon secure in this box until Fisher asks for it back. Raise your hand if you think that this is going to come back into play. And then they start talking about the demon's secret. I wonder if this is the moment Fisher's end of book plan begins forming with the help of Foley. They don't know about the Brimstone killing off the rock yet, but I think that Fisher is absolutely aware that he's gonna have to pull out his half God card at some point. There might be more of an explanation with this demon box and all of that later in the book, but that's what I'm thinking.

[Nicole]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Smash cut to Sarus, who's also going to the library, and it's time to talk about one of our favorite fucking scenes. Favorite uses of magic ever. As she moves deeper into the library to find Owl, she is greeted by one of the libraries stargazers, fluttering nearby and checking her out before flying away. Why, hello there. When she turns around, there's another three of the little birds now hovering there, waiting for her. If you're not watching this on YouTube, you're missing out. And in the next row, there are five there waiting for her, with the previous three now following her. Lexi, you have to be eight stargazers.

[Lexi]

Go, go, go.

[Nicole]

And above her, there are hundreds. Hundreds now flocking in a circle like little vultures.

[Lexi]

So question, why are they reacting to her now after she has Been in this library multiple times before. Yes, that stray paper bird knew to try out her blood. But this is 10 levels dialed up of these birds. Being like you. You might be the person we are looking for. Which makes me wonder why now. Again, the only thing I can think of that has changed to make the paper birds so focused on her, this library trip, is that she just sealed the quicksilver rune. And the sealing of the magic helps, like alert them. Like they know it's her because of it. What do you think, Nicole?

[Nicole]

Okay, so what if you were. You were talking about. What if Finryn conjured Guru? Guru drank her blood. Undiluted. A few episodes or last episode? Last episode.

[Lexi]

Episode.

[Nicole]

Two episodes ago. Two episodes ago.

[Lexi]

No concept. It was two episodes ago.

[Nicole]

It was like 48 hours ago in the time span of the story. So what if Guru needed to go have a chit chat with the paper blur? Paper blur with the paper birds. Or maybe if Guru was drinking her blood and that somehow activated it.

[Lexi]

Maybe.

[Nicole]

Maybe I don't that.

[Lexi]

Can you all tell we are really hung up on the mechanics of this stuff with the book and Adida, how it all got here. Another possibility is that seriously has been physically close to Fisher recently. Because when she first started going to the library, they were realms apart. But now that they're back together, maybe the paper birds can sense him on her. There's that sex scent. Really working overtime for Adina's benefit.

[Nicole]

To be fair, they had just seen each other that morning. The first time she goes to the library.

[Lexi]

You're right.

[Nicole]

Yeah, but I do like where your head is at. Yes. As Saras tries to get the out. Because these birds are attacking from all angles. They're swooping down. They're snagging at her hair. They're pulling her back braid loose.

[Lexi]

And she didn't even snog anybody. My goodness.

[Nicole]

Oh, I was like, snog is so British. And then I remembered what you were referencing. When she finally stops running, the birds start circling her like a vortex. Lexi.

[Lexi]

There we go.

[Nicole]

They're all going up. All the way to the library.

[Lexi]

I would normally say, this is so.

[Nicole]

Beautiful, but I'm watching Lexi. How dare you.

[Lexi]

There we go.

[Nicole]

Majestic, stunning, magical. Lexi is so beautiful. A single stargazer breaks free from the vortex and dive bombs Saera so quickly he doesn't have time to bring up her hands before it's already sliced open her cheek. Now, this is the second time one has cut her. But remember, the previous one lost its magic after leaving the barrier of the library. So I imagine the first cut, the first check did not count.

[Lexi]

Before Ceres can even think about why she was just attacked by a paper bird, the entire flock starts rushing faster and faster to the point it's impossible to tell one bird from another. And the air is thickening with tension.

[Nicole]

Oh, my gosh.

[Lexi]

There's like a million Nicoles right now on the other screen. Out of nowhere, they all stop dead and fall lifeless to the floor. One by one, they begin unfolding, turning from birds into crumpled sheets of paper. You all, we had a lot of fun this episode. There wasn't a whole lot that happened happens. And each one is covered in elegant handwriting, explaining alchemy and magic and so much more. As Saris is about to find out, the pages themselves have been yellowed by time. But due to how they were folded, all of the writing has been preserved, tucked within the paper birds and unseen by anyone all these centuries. When Serris goes to start collecting all of these extremely valuable pages, they start rattling in her hands. And no matter how hard she grips them, the pages are ripped free by an invisible force and fly through the air. Zarth is calling them. Just kidding. First gathering into a ball and then organizing themselves into a single neat pile before finally becoming a book with a navy blue cloth cover and a tiny silver butterfly on the front. Ladies and gentlemen, Adina's book is here. This is such amazing magic. I love everything about this. The coded way Idina says the book is among the stars. The way the paper birds need Sarah's blood to know it's her. These magical moments are one of the reasons I just love fantasy so much. The possibilities of magic, the wonders, are endless.

[Nicole]

So as this book is being put together, Saeris catches glimpses of little sections of pages as she flips through it. The first one is quote. In most cases, the power is too great. The alchemist will need to surrender. Blank. This made my eyes go wide. Because the first thing that I think of is, remember what the quicksilver said back when she was getting her shield. Quote, Every alchemist must have something they're afraid to lose. So here I'm thinking, what if this alchemist must surrender the thing that they're most afraid to lose? I feel like this is concerning.

[Lexi]

Oh, see, I take it as the alchemist will need to surrender to the power. Power. Literally what Saris did to get the quicksilver rune to seal. When she finally let it wash over her instead of shying away from it and all of its immense power.

[Nicole]

I hope you are correct. The Second thing that she catches glimpse of is quote, dot, dot, dot, often painful. Historically, it was recommended that a counterbalance must be used as a kind of alchemical overflow mechanism.

[Lexi]

If she is referring to a specific element, I can't help but wonder if she is speaking of Brimstone here. I don't know why I'm getting Brimstone vibes with these few lines. Maybe the painful part and what we know about how volatile it is and how difficult it is to seal that rune. If she is specifically talking about brimstone here, which again, I don't know, it could be very more broad based. But if she's talking about Brimstone, could Fisher help with the counterbalance in some way taking this a step further? Further, if Serious needs a counterbalance to act as this alchemical overflow mechanism, which I'm so sorry, I could not even begin to tell you what the heck that means. And they are in Diaxis, seemingly where Sarris is able to access brimstone and seal her rune. And Fisher is proposing a trade. Could the counterbalance have anything to do with the trade or the next note in Adina's journal for Serras to read after the trade? And all of that's connected to this counterbalance that is required. Cracking open the COVID Sarah's finds a single droplet of fresh blood, hers that was just taken by the bird. That identifies Sarah's as the wrecked person. And a note for her inside that reads, quote, for you, God's blessed. Thank you for loving my boy. E. Oh, I love how the first note she writes is an acknowledgment of Sarris and Fisher. Instead of jumping straight into business like, okay, great, you're an alchemist. Here's what you got to know.

[Nicole]

Oh my God. But remember what Adina said to Sarus. Quote, find it, but do not tell him about it. I mean it.

[Lexi]

It's important.

[Nicole]

He can't know about the book. Only you. Do you understand? Well, that's about as crystal clear as that gets. Serious had every intention on following the Oracle's command. Adina may not be around necessarily anymore, but her spirit lives both literally in as you know, she spoke to Adina, but also figuratively as she's this very important person to Fisher. And at the end of the day, Serious does want Adina to like her, to feel like she is worthy of her son. I relate to this hard series and she sees the most direct path to that relationship with Adina, where she does respect Serious as her son's partner, as following the mother in law's commands. Until she looks at Fisher, her mate, who is exhausted from going through hell and back for her, who saved her brother, who got the silver, who went to Zolvarin even though it was dangerous and he fucking hated it. Who would tear down the world from for her. Always, always, always for her. And suddenly, the thought of keeping this huge secret from Fisher seems preposterous. This is her partner. And honesty and communication prevailed. Huzzah. But it turns out that's exactly what Idina wanted her to choose.

[Lexi]

We will soon learn that when Fisher opens the book, his mother wrote a letter for him because she knew this is what was going to happen. Go down. In the rather ambiguous note to her son, Idina details how she dreams of the universe and on the path of fate. There are many detours that both him and Ceres may encounter. But there are also firm and undeniable events that will occur between these branching paths. Today being the first example, Odina explains that their bond will be strongest if Ceres gives Fisher this journal. Quick pause. So yes, Sarah's handing Fisher this book was only one option. Option. But luckily it was the one that would bind them strongest because it shows the trust that they have in one another. Edina says in her letter to Fisher that she wishes she could explain more. And she wishes she had lived long enough to see him grow into the man she knows he will become. But she wants him to know that she is cherished every second. She has gotten to watch him from the other side of the veil. Because you see, she has been, for lack of a better word, hanging in limbo. And she knows that he feels shattered by her soul hanging on for so long, long after she passed. But she wouldn't change that decision for anything. After all, it was oh so necessary. And at the very end of this letter, she tells him and trusts him to give the book back to Serris. This note confirms what Tal guessed to Serris after Edina initially spoke to Ceres through Everlane. How her soul is still hanging on and for that long. It must have been so much effort and so very painful. Fisher knows this is what befell his mother after her in interaction through Lane. And I can only imagine how much this letter gives him some sense of comfort and closure. I also wonder, does this mean that Idina can now go beyond?

[Nicole]

I have a feeling she wouldn't. I feel like she's invested.

[Lexi]

I think we have very different opinions about Idina. I think.

[Nicole]

I think we do.

[Lexi]

Alrighty then. I think that this was her Final thing she needed to do. And now she is finally going beyond interesting.

[Nicole]

I think she has a front row seat and she's locking in with popcorn. Kingfisher barely got to know his mother since she died before he turned 14. She's been a living spirit who surrounded him in the form of journals for years with those drawings, those he's read hundreds and hundreds of times, memorized even.

[Lexi]

Now to get a new message is.

[Nicole]

Like to have a new conversation with his mother. But to hear that she knew the chips would fall where they did and that she would do it over and over again. And even in the afterlife, she's been a silent companion of years for Fisher. She's still his mom and she's watching her little boy grow up. And oh my God, this kills me. She couldn't be prouder of the male he's become. King Fisher, who just last book, which, remember, was only like two weeks ago, thought himself so unworthy being lord of anything because of how much he's let other people down. He sacrificed himself to go to Malcolm and he was going to die. So, yeah, to hear that he's not other people down, that his mom's really proud of him. He needed this note from his mama. Yeah. Now I have a question for you, Lexi.

[Lexi]

Okay.

[Nicole]

Do you agree with a date Edena's. I'm gonna call it a test for Savris with telling her that she could not tell Kingfisher. But then it ended up being that's exactly what she wanted her to do.

[Lexi]

Honestly, hard to answer because I don't entirely understand the reason behind the test. Idina claims it was necessary and later in her letter to Saris, apologizes for misleading and tricking her. But she also hopes that Sarah will one day understand. Understand that it had to be done. So, to my understanding, we don't know what this reasoning is yet. And I'll be honest, I'm even stepped on guessing what this reasoning could be that will later make it important. My only idea is that Sarah's and Fisher's trust in one another and openness above anything else will be extremely essential. And this first test of sorts will be part of that momentum so that they can pass the ultimate test of trust. And was this absolutely necessary? I don't see it right now. But I'm also not going to judge that in the moment because I am under the impression we do not have all the information available.

[Nicole]

I will accept that answer. And actually you have just convinced me that that is a. That is a good answer to adopt and Be a little more open minded about Adina. That sounds great.

[Lexi]

I will say this. If she was not an oracle and she did not not lay several breadcrumbs, that this was indeed necessary and she hopes that they will eventually understand, then I would absolutely be like, that was very pointless. Like why did that happen? But I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt. It's moments like this that are a great example of why I said at the beginning of episode one that my rating of Brimstone is going to depend on book three. Because it is moments like this where it's like, oh my gosh, I am so excited to see how this does play out and there's a lot that has to happen in book three, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Even though Serris should be an Amon traith planning tomorrow night's ball, she doesn't wanna finally, she actually does want to read the book from Adina. Thank goodness. I knew he would care about this book eventually. Serris once when it's actually in front of you. This is exactly like what Talent said where she just has a tendency to run off to Kalish with her mate and not tell him anything. At least she guess she left a note for him. This time Serris is going back to Kalish to have some peace and quiet and she'll be back in time for tomorrow's ball. So Fisher, Carrion and Cerys are now back in Kalish.

[Nicole]

In the forge with Carrion, Serris finally talks to her friend about, oh, I don't know, this tiny thing about him being the heir to the Avelian throne. And immediately we can see that this is not a picture position that Carrion is itching to get to. Like we discussed last episode, Carrion has had this almost closed offness to his birthright for years. It was something he read about, he drew about. But to now be here in the land, surrounded by the people that he's destined to rule, it's not surprising that all of his insecurities are coming out. He doesn't feel like he's earned the right to rule over these people. And he still views himself as a thief and a black market traitor. Kind of like Sarah. He knows nothing about the crown and the royal seat and also he's left these people for years and he feels like he's been pining for them like a child again. These are what he believes about himself. This is all manifesting in good old fashioned denial. Saying that he has no interest in the Avelian throne. Your drawings beg to differ, sir. Earlier in this chapter Stretch, while Tao was talking to Carrion, he called him Dice Dianthus. And this made Sayer's pause. Because none of them have been calling Carrion Swift Dianthus. They've been calling him Swift rather than his birth name. So here in the Forge, she asks if that's something he'd like for them to change. But he's not quite ready for that. After all, in his opinion, no one here cares about the long lost Dianthus heir. Ha ha ha. That's where you're wrong, Master Swift. As the wonderful Archer says, many houses in Evalia are just toasting to Carrion, offering prayers in his name, hoping that he will return and put their suffering to an end. We will see later with the people of Anishtar that they are overjoyed that the heir has returned.

[Lexi]

As Sarris notes, if there was a good king on the throne right now, that would change things. That would not be as dire that the right king needs to come up on the throne and save everybody. But you know what? Belacan is evil and Carrion literally is able to kick him off that throne because it's his.

[Nicole]

Carrion really needed to hear this boat of confidence from Archer. And Archer is a mostly unbiased source. It is in your blood, Master Swift. You can do this. Going back to Carrion, always lowering his own capabilities to match what other people think. I think this is one of the first times, at least that we've seen it on the page, that someone is actually raising the bar for him to meet.

[Lexi]

I love that. That is such a great point there, Nicole. While getting the tldr from Archer about Lady Adele, Archer rushes outside to pick Sarah some of Edina's favorite flowers. And then from the window, Serious sees a Feeder attacking Archer. She grabs the first weapon she finds, which happens to be the no blade, and Seras rushes outside. She can gather that the Feeder used to be a Fae warrior. He even still has his war braids and leather armor. He was dead only a few days before he turned, so that means that he was one of the fav warriors that felt fell victim to the rot. And now he has risen up again as an infected Feeder. When the Feeder turns towards Sarris, she sees, like I was just saying, has it's infected with rot. Thick black veins, spider web beneath its skin, and its eyes are completely blacked out. It's like this rot has taken over on the inside and a strange white light is pulsing in its throat and glowing through its Chest. What does this mean? Before it was a feeder, did the Spae have magic? Was it attacked by somebody who did have magic? And it's like, has been storing up their. Their magic? Is it tied to who is controlling them? Or magic that has already been within them? I don't know. And again, I'm really confused about whether the rot automatically turns someone into a Feeder. Based on the context clues that does seem to be the case. Which could only link this to the Blood Curse in some way, shape or form. Which opens a lot of questions. But we are in the middle of a battle sequence right now, so we don't have time for that. Without thinking, Seras takes the null blade in her hand and whips it at the super feeder, spearing it through its shoulder and pinning it to the wall. But what's this? The feeder's body starts to absorb the null blade like it did with magical attacks. Its back muscles bulge and its biceps double. And its biceps double in size, becoming stronger.

[Nicole]

Then the monster throws its head back and yells a victory screech. We need to talk about this. Not my spongebob reference, which I hope some of you got. What in the steroid are these null blades made out of? Are they made from the same thing that's fueling the rot? Is that why it's like, super food for the super feeders? Or is it just how the feeders absorb the power from, like, Ren and Fisher back in, you know, chapter four? Like, was there power in this null blade that the Feeder also could feed.

[Lexi]

Feed from? That's what I'm thinking. It's able to absorb the power, and because it's a null blade, it's got, like, this evil magic to it, which makes it that much stronger.

[Nicole]

But when the Brimstone will later destroy this feeder, in just a few seconds, the blade is all that's left in the snow. So it absorbs it, but it also is not one with the blade, if that makes sense, because it's left.

[Lexi]

I'm guessing that it is absorbing the power of the blade, and it's just leaving the metal left. Okay, I don't think that we ever do get confirmation about that. About this null blade anymore. Archer is a little ball of fire, but the external flame has no impact on the feeder. Like we learned from chapter four, fire does not. Fire does not actually burn these things. The super feeder springs up the wall, taking poor little Archer with it. No. We must save Archer before the feeder gets over the wall and disappears with him. Serious leaps up the wall after the feeder but after her sword tries to attack, the feeder gets mad, lets out a roar, and shoves backward where it and Archer go, toppling backward onto Cerys.

[Nicole]

Rushing to Saera's, Simon in hand, Carrion attempts to pull the feeder off her, but it doesn't get very far real quick.

[Lexi]

Yay.

[Commercial Announcer]

See?

[Lexi]

He does know where Simon is. It felt like there was so much mystery about where his God sword was based on how defensive he was. To Fisher's earlier question, it's like, no, it's just here, it's fine. I think.

[Nicole]

I think he's just a forgetful person. Maybe he's got a little adhd. And he's like, where are my keys? Where are my keys?

[Lexi]

He says he knows exactly where it is.

[Nicole]

I think he was lying.

[Lexi]

Oh, see, I trust that he knew exactly where it is because he's got it right here.

[Nicole]

I think he was lying. And then he found it and he's like, oh, thank God. With a snarl, the feeder bats Carrion away like he's an annoying little bug. The hit lands so hard that when Carrion hits the courtyard wall, his breath is knocked out of him. But on the wall behind him, where the vines are growing on the wall, they suddenly bloom to life with thousands of tiny white flowers.

[Lexi]

Oh my God.

[Nicole]

This is his plant magic. Literally right here on the page. But as quickly as they came, they all wilt away at their dried petals, raining down on Carrion.

[Lexi]

What does this mean? It's like he has. Has plant magic, but something more with the little flowers and then how they immediately bloom and then are able to immediately wilt. I wonder if there's anything that they are tied to that's connected to carrying. Like, if he's in a good mood, things bloom, and if he's getting attacked by a feeder, it wilts, kind of thing like that. I don't know, maybe.

[Nicole]

I'm going to be doing a lot of research on tiny white flowers and their symbolism, and I have a feeling I. I'm gonna need a florist. So you're a florist. Get us up, please.

[Lexi]

As the feeder leaps up to attack Ceres again, Archer jumps forward and tackles it. Its teeth sink into Archer's neck, tearing him wide open. Oh my God.

[Nicole]

No.

[Lexi]

Archer. Glowing magma spews out of Archer's neck. As we come to find out soon, this blood of the fire sprite is actually Brimstone. And unlike with the magic and the null blade and everything else we've tried with these goddamn super feeders, the brimstone is actually Affecting it what? The monster is now convulsing, its eyes widening with awareness that it didn't have before. And it opens its mouth in an attempt to scream. The feeder's skin starts to melt from its body, and wherever the brimstone is touching it, the black veins beneath its skin start bulging to the surface and splitting open, releasing the foul smelling rot. So. So it's like this brimstone. It's not actually getting the feeder, it is getting the rot within the feeder that is obviously then affecting the feeder quite a lot. When the ichor lands on the ground, it starts to group together and seek out a new victim. But then it starts to smoke, to bubble, to boil. But it's not just the ichor on the ground that's bubbling. The stuff inside the feeder starts bubbling too, until finally it spasms and falls into the sky.

[Nicole]

Snow.

[Lexi]

Dead. Huzzah, Huzzah. Huzzah. This is huge. Something finally killed one of these super feeders. Specifically, it kills the rot within the feeder and then the rot around the landscape here too. Whatever it touches. Holy. We're saved.

[Nicole]

While Carrion and Saris made it out of this fight unharmed, the same cannot be said for Archer. The way I think thought this precious little sprite was about to die.

[Lexi]

When we were reading this for the first time, we were so concerned. I was so worried because it's also like, we haven't really experienced a big death yet with Callie. And so going into brimstone, it's like, okay, like the big question is, is she going to kill somebody off with.

[Nicole]

His throat torn out, embers flickering around the edges of his wound, and his brimstone slowly seeping out into the snow. It is not healing. Brimstone is not only an element, but it is also a magic in and of itself. And it is the source of life for the fire sprites. Instead of having blood like humans or fey, it flows through their veins and keeps their core temperatures high. But it does not regenerate like blood cells do. Meaning the fire sprite can only lose a few drops before it has a chance to be lethal. For a fire spot fire sprite when they want to procreate the entire fire sprite community, that's an orgy if I've ever heard. One has to donate a small little part of their own personal brimstone. This is why Archer is able to survive the attack. All the members of his pyre give him a small amount of brimstone and he is one inch taller.

[Lexi]

I love how Karen is like, wait, so how do they have sex, like, and they're like, oh, my God. Karen is like, no, like, I'm really asking. Yeah, this would be me. This would be me. This would be both of us. I need to know. I need to know the mechanics, like, you weirdo. It's like, no, like, I'm actually genuinely wondering for, like, research purposes.

[Nicole]

As someone who just had my book edited by you, I can confirm these are the types of questions you ask frequently.

[Lexi]

All of this comes down to one big good news, bad news. Revelation. Good news. Our crew finally discovered what kills the rot. Huzzah. Brimstone is the key to saving this realm from. From the rot. Brimstone kills the rot. It kills the feeders. We finally figured out the rot's kryptonite that has been plaguing everyone all book. But then there's the bad news. Every last bit of Brimstone in the realm of Evilia is accounted for by the Fire sprites. They're already a dying species. And like Nicole explained, their brimstone amount is finite. Every bit that would be used to destroy the rot would threaten their survival. And with how much rot there is, they would need all of the brimstone, which would literally wipe out the Fire Sprites from existence.

[Nicole]

Well, damn it, that is a lot to take in for a day. Gods, do they need a drink and some peace and goddamn quiet up on.

[Lexi]

Up on the rooftop.

[Nicole]

Looking at the forest, Kingfisher decides to share a story about his parents with Saeras as a nice way to get her mind off of things, which, on.

[Lexi]

A reread for us readers, make us go alert, alert, alert. Even if it's very hard to read between any lines. For this, you know, we will try.

[Nicole]

We will. His mother and father met out in those very trees they're looking over and had even courted each other out there in the snow. Do you think that means they. In the snow? That's what I heard.

[Lexi]

Probably. Probably.

[Nicole]

Fisher thinks back about the story he heard about them in their youth and how these two very serious people were made utter fools by love.

[Lexi]

Sounds a lot like another set of.

[Nicole]

Two serious people in love.

[Lexi]

Fisher tells Sarrus the story of how his father lost a toe out in the forest to a graven. What the heck is a graven? It is a creature that's half satyr, half troll, and a little bit of a. Basilisk. Yes, Basilisk. Okay, a fun little fact, friends. I read Brimstone right after finishing Between Two Kings, the sequel to Kiss of the Basilisk. And between this basilisk mention and carrying's human lover 300 years ago. Being named Tim, it really with me. I'm not going to lie, I did get a good laugh out of it.

[Nicole]

That clock.

[Lexi]

Anyway, Fisher's father was looking for a clock. Wait, no, sorry, wrong series.

[Nicole]

Anyways, after doing a little bit of research, Gravens, not the Basilisk kind, are typically seen as dark idols. Okay, maybe that is the Basilisk kind. You're deaf.

[Lexi]

Let me be your.

[Nicole]

Now we're just throwing other fandoms into this. Or they are also seen as a dark spirit in mythology.

[Lexi]

This Graven lives in a small wooden cottage out in the woods. The ones that Fisher and Seras are gazing at here in Kalash. And in this cottage, the Graven makes tinctures themselves. And at one time, people used to trade with it for potions and spells that they believed would end hexes, heal ailments, or make people fall in love. Fish's father had his own magic, but he was like Fisher. He commanded shadows. But his father didn't have much else going for him in terms of magical abilities. So think small magics, like what Idina was good at and Fisher inherited from her. So when Fisher's father met Idina, he was solely relying on his charm, and he didn't have much faith in himself. So he decided to pay a visit to the Graven. The Graven told him that it would give Fisher's father its strongest, most effective love potion. A potion so potent that the object of Fish's father's heart's desire will be powerless against his advances. And that Idina will be his for all of time if he drinks the potion that the Graven makes. But there's a catch. In exchange for the potion, Fisher's father has to give the Graven his right foot. Yes, his right foot. According to the Graven, that's a feed. Again. According to the Graven, this exchange would guarantee Fisher's father a life. Living out his days with a wife and a family, being blissfully happy, he would be able to create powerful wards and be a role model for his people and all who follow him and support him. Of course, Fisher's father is wowed by this prospect. It's everything he's ever dreamed of and more. But he simply can't, won't give up his foot. The Graven tells him that it's sick of its own feet and wants two proper fey feet to walk around round on. You see, it already bargained for someone's left foot a while back, and now it just needs to complete the set not me. Looking for any and every clue in the story and wondering if the other fae who gave us their left foot is connected to Sticks. But the Fish's dad is not having this. So the Graven proposes a new deal. The Graven is not able to produce its own shadow when it steps outside in the sun. And that fact makes people nervous. People sense that the Graven is different and they run away from it. So the Graven's new offer is. Is this. A love potion for Fisher's father's shadow magic. But shadows were his father's greatest strength, so of course, he could not give up his shadows. The Graven gives one final offer. A love potion for one. Just one of his shadows. It can be any shadow that he deems fitting for someone like the Graven, and they can call it even. So Fish's father agrees to give him a single shadow. It's just a small seed of magic, and he is willing to part with that seed. Small amount. So the Graven gives him a love potion. And in return, Fisher's father gives it a new shadow. But when the Graven walks out into the sun at high noon, it doesn't cast a shadow. Because at that time at high noon, shadows don't really appear.

[Nicole]

Believing that Fisher's father had lied and cheated it, the Graven takes up a scythe and goes after Fisher's father. As it chases him through the forest, the angle of the sun changes, showing the shift shadow of the majestic ox stitched to its hooves. But it was far too focused on Fisher's father to notice. Thankfully, it did not take his whole foot. But when it got close enough, it did take his little toll.

[Lexi]

So what if when we are in dioxis, there is something with a majestic ox? Sure.

[Nicole]

Maybe I'll also pay attention to Finren's feet whenever we do meet him.

[Lexi]

The ironic thing is Fisher's dad went through all of this effort for a love potion and didn't even work. It's impossible to be coerced into loving another that would rob them of their free will. Idina loved Fisher's father because of who he was. And due to his own charm, no love potion necessary.

[Nicole]

Before you're like, oh my God, Nicole. The daddy watches. Don't you worry. We're gonna go through them. Roll. Remember, Daddy Watch is the segment on the show where we go through the Finren mentions and try to figure out if A, Finryn and Sticks are the same person. In which case I refer to him as Finn Sticks or B, if they are two Separate people. And the my father at the end was more figurative speech and I am on this wild goose chase for nothing.

[Lexi]

Well, hold on now. I won't say for nothing. Fisher is obviously very closely connected to the God of Shadows. Whether that means he's literally or figuratively his father is the big question. And I love how we're pulling all this because now every time father is on the page or Shadow magic is on the page or anything, we have a compiled research. We have compilation of research, yes.

[Nicole]

Which, let's go through them. We learned that his father lost a toe. This doesn't notably feel Finsticks related, but I do want to point out that losing a toad just does not seem very godlike. So it could be a point against Finran being Finsticks and again, a nod to him just being a half God and them being two different people.

[Lexi]

And Waltz Fisher telling the story about his father. We are in his pov. I want to point out that nowhere in this whole exchange or even in his inner monologue is Fenrin that name mentioned. Yes, I think it's absolutely finer and because of Kalish and be in love with his mother. But I am just pointing that out and I totally get to that. Fisher would not not call his father Finren because he calls him father. But I don't know. I found that very interesting that Finren was never on the page there when they're talking about his father.

[Nicole]

Yes. We also get a mention of how Finryn, quote, had his own magic. But he was like me. He commanded shadows. Not much of anything else. So at the very least, we know that Finryn is a half God from Dioxis Styx's world. But the fact that he doesn't command anything, anything else might be a nod towards Fin Sticks. Especially since Kingfisher notes that his shadows were his greatest strength, which is why he gave only a single shadow to the Graven. But we also do get this mention of the love potion.

[Lexi]

I just.

[Nicole]

I don't see a God having a need for a love potion. To be fair, at the end he didn't really need it anyway. But I do want to point out maybe this is some motivation for Finstix. If Fin Sticks is indeed the God of shadows. Maybe he was a little insecure about being from such a dark realm and he was falling in love with someone so lovely in sunshine and rainbows. So maybe he felt undeserving and that's why he felt like he needed a love potion. Tldr. I cannot tell if Daddy Watch is actually helping My confusion or making it worse.

[Lexi]

I feel like this whole story will be one big puzzle puzzle piece by the end of the third book. And we will kind of put it in with the whole picture and be like, oh, I get it now. Or at least I hope that's the case. You don't really add a story about parents to a book that leaves on a cliffhanger about a parent and have it not apply to any part of anything.

[Nicole]

Here's what I will say at the very last chapter. Kingfisher is saying to say, I'm so sorry. There was no time to tell you and prepare you for this. I think he could have told her right here and here, right and now.

[Lexi]

Well, he's. But I wonder if this here is like a little Easter egg for her where it's like he's wanting to tell more of the story, but he's not able to.

[Nicole]

You know what was not an Easter egg for Kingfisher? Her literally handing him his mother's book, saying, hey, I trust you, even though I've been commanded to tell you not to read this.

[Lexi]

He's not able to tell her because the dragon is able to read Seras's mind. He has trained himself to keep it out of his mind. But you. But he knows that she is susceptible to that, so that is why he cannot tell her stuff. And now that they are past the dragon, now he's like, okay, honey, I'm really sorry. We had to get past that. And there are some reasons why he did.

[Nicole]

He was saying to her, like, I'm so sorry there was not enough time to prepare you to have this, like, moment to go to the dragon and all of this kind of stuff. So I'm not saying that she would have had enough time between now and the end of the book to train her mind to go completely blank at the dragon, not be able to read her mind. But what I am saying is he was like, there was no time. I'm. I feel like we could have switched out a story about a lost toe.

[Lexi]

Over, hey, I'm a half God. But, like, I. That's why I think that this does actually apply in some way. I have no idea how. Oh, back to daddy. Watch. I'm still leaning away from Finren being sticks. But here it is clear that Fenrin had his shadow magic and it was precious for him, was it granted to him by Styx. And that's what makes him his father. Same goes for Fisher. And it's a different kind of term than we are used to remember the Lords of Kalish. There's generations of them there and Fisher's father was not the very first and I think that they are all absolutely related and there is a different kind of of fatherly tie in with sticks for that. I also think it's notable that Fisher was told a story from Archer and Archer seems to hold the most answers about his father. This would make one wonder if Archer knows something about Dioxus, especially since the fire sprites are made of brimstone. Not like they are from there, because there used to be a lot more brimstone in Yvelia, but there is that resource connection.

[Nicole]

Yes, it's a moment Saris has been.

[Lexi]

Waiting almost two books for. Hayden has finally woken up from traveling through the Quicksilver and it is time for their brother sister reunion. My heart goes out to Seras. This was her top priority when she first arrived here in Euvelia. It's been weeks since she's heard anything about her brother. Her job all her life has been caring for him and this is by far the longest they've ever been apart. What's more, everything has changed. For starters, she's half fae, half vampire. She also has magic and is the Vampire Queen in this realm. Made it to that gigantic asshole with the pointed ears. While Yvelia has important things like water, it is also not really any safer than Zilvarin. At least Zilvarin was the devil that Hayden knew here he is the only human in the realm like Seras was last book. He's out of his element and it's extra dangerous here these days with the rot, to the point that they're actively working on evacuating the people of this realm because it's doomed. But at the same time her brother is finally here, Someone who has always been a source of familial comfort, who has always been a sense of home for Serris, not certainly in the same way as Kingfisher, but who has always been the only other one who she truly has to count on in her life. And yet Cerys is so nervous to see her brother again, especially after her harsh words she last said to him to get him to go away and stay out of her trouble. When she was getting escorted away by.

[Nicole]

The Guardians after pacing around Cerus, making sure indeed that he is still alive. He's breathing, he's healthy. Hayden gives Seiros a tldr on what's been happening in Zulfarin, starting with the fact that Madra's been telling everyone she's dead, murdered by The Fae rebels during a very convincing speech. You know that one where she had the dead body dragged through the square claiming it was Saera's but Hayden didn't actually see a dead body, only a picture of a body. Yeah, that one. Hagen would be fucked up in the world of AI, that's for sure. Maga has also been painting Seras as a martyr to her cause, using serious name and story to twist the narrative into making it sound like Serous was some kind of Zelvaran patriot who loved her city. She claims that Ceres has been working for her as a loyal subject who was violently killed by strangers wielding outlawed magic, AKA Kingfisher when he came through the realm.

[Lexi]

This is such a gut punch to Serris. Understandably so. She may not have had friends in the Third, but this was still her community. They were all in this together, fighting against Madrid by simply continuing to survive each and every day under her reign. And now they are listening to the enemy and turning against Serris believing that she was the very thing they all despise. A traitor. I don't blame her for wanting to go back and set them all straight. I hope that she does get the chance eventually. In her own own way. When Fisher and co take Madra down next book, Serris's people have turned against her and shown it in the worst possible way. Refusing the precious gift of water and food that was given in Ceres name in honor of her service to Madra. Eating it would support Madra would pay tribute to the traitor. Ah, I hate how smart this is of Madra and how good she is at manipulating a community.

[Nicole]

It's preposterous. It's ridiculous. No one would believe believe this bullshit that Madra is spewing. Right? Right, Hayden? But wait, he does not have any cuts on him like he's saying Elroy does for standing up for Saeras. And sadly we learn that the younger Faen brother has lapped up this lie like his very own water ration.

[Lexi]

Why?

[Nicole]

Great fucking question as Hayden says. I love how he blames Seyrus for for this. Serious. Always kept him out of plans. He never knew what she was doing, where she was working, what she was working on, where she was going. Who's to say she wasn't going to the palace to spill her secrets to her good friend Madra? Oh, and they always seemed to have more water, cleaner water and food than everyone else in the Third. Surely that's only because she's Madra's favorite and was rewarded for her loyalty to the Undying. Queen. Like we've discussed, since episode one of Quicksilver, Hayden Fane has had a easy life because serious has worked 10 times harder to make sure her brother would not suffer or know how much they suffer. But this has also resulted in him being gullible. Not a very critical, pessimistic thinker like Serous. It's also made him wildly immature in the world around him with some saris. Did play a role in. And to take her role, her sacrifice, and then throw it in her face like an ungrateful swine. L Ha. Fifteen point, bold, underline Italian.

[Lexi]

His character just has an official L next to it. And Sarah thinks so too, because she punches her brother in the jaw. S. Yeah, right. Serious is outraged at her brother's line of thinking how he thinks the worst of her when she sacrificed everything for him.

[Nicole]

I love the way this section is worded, because as he falls onto a chair, you know, after she hits him, it says, quote, but just like always, Hayden Fain was giving a soft fucking landing. I love. I've thought about that line almost every day since reading Brimstone.

[Lexi]

Yes, me too. Like, that is fantastic, fantastic writing.

[Nicole]

Yes, yes.

[Lexi]

Hayden has never had to want for anything. Serious broke herself so she could look after him. She robbed, she stole, she bartered, she traded just to make sure that her brother was comfortable and his belly was full. He didn't have to work a day in his life, didn't have to worry about starving or dying in the heat, in the sand. He didn't have to worry about not getting water. Cirrus is the one who crawled through the sewer lines to reach Royal Water Reserves once a week for him, that same sewer line. He complained endlessly about last episode when he wouldn't shut up about how yucky it was. But Serris did not tell him what she was doing and the horrible things and unpleasant situations she was getting herself into. And in the moment, it made sense to her. She was protecting her brother. She did not want to bring him with her to those places because she did not want life to be hard for him like it was for her. And that is an absolutely fair thing to want for a loved one. Of course. Course. And in doing so, he grew up in a bubble, sheltered from the hardships that most people go through in their city, leaving him with the sense that life owes him something. And she does blame herself for that. I really commend Cali for how she encapsulates Sarah's feelings in the scene. Serious always did what she thought was best for her brother looking after him. And now it's the biggest slap in the face. That also meant she enabled him and let him be too soft. This world is hard and she sheltered him from it his entire life. I agree with Sarah's that she encouraged him in her own way to grow up thinking that life was easy. That was kind of the point. With the best of intentions, absolutely. Yet that's not the way of the world. And with hardship comes trust in those used to get through. With Hayden having an easy life, he does not understand the importance of trust in the face of survival. In the same way that Sarris has been expecting him to too. Because it's the decent thing to do to trust his sister. Right. For everything that she is doing for him anyway. Okay, I could go on and on yelling at Hayden and also seeing how this is a conclusion he came to. It does not make it okay. And he definitely gets a gigantic capital L next to his name permanently. Sarah's sacrificed everything for him. And this is the person she raised who turns against her when there is doubt. All in all, I want to give Sarris a hug here and tell her she did the best she could and her little brother is a shithead.

[Nicole]

Yes, that perfectly said. I don't think I could add anything more to that. So before Sarah's can rip into her brother anymore, her brimstone rune begins to burn, hurting twice as bad as when the quicksilver rune was flaring. The lines of fire are tracing up her arm and her hand all the way up to her elbow. Quick question. Do you think the reason it's flaring up all of a sudden and burning twice as bright is because she touched Archer? So it's almost like because she touched brimstone, the countdown or the flaring up of the rune has begun.

[Lexi]

So I guess I was more under the impression that now that she has sealed her quicksilver rune, it's time for the brimstone. And that is why Idina is like, now. By now, your brimstone rune was probably causing you some problems. And I think it's because she's already now done one. So now it's time for the next one.

[Nicole]

Okay. I could see either of those for sure.

[Lexi]

Definitely. I wonder. Yeah, But I love the idea that.

[Nicole]

Maybe it escalated it.

[Lexi]

Maybe.

[Nicole]

Who knows? For an entire hour, all Cerus can do is hold her arm and try to meditate through the pain. Eventually, the flames die down into just smoldering embers where the rune is a soft glowing red. Ouch.

[Lexi]

And we will come back To Hayden, when we are all a little more.

[Nicole]

Cooled off, literally and figuratively.

[Lexi]

You know what time time it is. It is time to finally read Idina's book. Ah, this shit's the equivalent to a spicy scene for me. I go feral for it. The first half of the book is a guide to Serris's powers, and the second half of the book is a step by step guide to defeating the rot. But it's not quite as straightforward as it sounds. Idina knows that Serious probably is not trusting her too much right now, but she's not playing games or trying to trick Ceres in any way. She says that by writing this book, she is breaking all the laws of the universe. I wonder if these are laws that the oracles have, because it's almost like the gods gave these rules to the oracles because they have this kind of sight into the threads of fate and that tapestry of the universe. Each entry in this book is written for a specific moment. And for it to work, the dominoes must fall in a specific order. And it is imperative that that Seras does not skip ahead, as this will prevent her from facing challenges that she needs to encounter. AKA if she sees them before it's time to act, she will be thrown off and screw the process up. Idina knows that the brimstone rune has awoken and that many alchemists reject this rune because of its negative connotations with death and destruction. And that sealing it will come at a great cost. It will unlock a door within Ceres that will be too hard to close and it will will change her if she goes down this path. Remember how I explained the three primes of alchemy last episode? And sulfur, AKA brimstone represents the soul. I think Ceres is going to have a super intensive therapy session when she seals the brimstone. But I am also very concerned about the great cost. Edina warns it comes with what if the counterbalance she explains helps with the ceiling is what comes at a great cost. I don't think that it's Fisher, but something else at a great cost to her soul. Is it too dark to offer up Hayden? I'm kidding. But I'm trying to think what would be a great cost for her. And yeah, could it be sad? No. I mean, maybe for her a little bit. But no. With Brimstone sealed to her soul, there is a chance she can use it to help save the realm. And if she decides to reject it, there are still other paths that can be taken to fend off the oncoming Darkness, AKA the rot. But the odds of them working are not as good, so. So, hey, Saris, you're gonna have to tough it up because you gotta seal this Brimstone rune. The first entry ends with a prophecy quote concerning the Evenlight Ball. Turn this page before leaving your chambers. An appointment awaits. I cannot wait for next episode. And that appointment is her selecting the next Lord of Midnight. And when she flips the page, it'll be telling her exactly what to do.

[Nicole]

And how to do that, AKA Select Foley, please. It's safe to say that this book changes the fucking game. Our crew has been banging their heads against the wall, so I'm not gonna lie. For me, personally, as a reader, I have complicated feelings around this plot. So on one hand, I think that this journal is super cool. It's great suspensive storytelling because we always want to know what's next, what's next, what's next text in the book. And it also pulls Adina into the story in a very cool way. And a huge plot point about last book was autonomy over your own life. Serous hated being at Kingfisher's mercy with the oath. And in the climax of the book, Zarith tells Sarus that he's severing her connection from the universe and she will be the one who needs to live her life and make decisions in order to save the world. And with this journal, it feels like Idina is now filling that role. And it feels a little like that whole severing now has no consequences. And I'm not gonna lie, it feels a little. I think one of the reasons I do struggle with Adina as a character is because it feels a little puppet master. It feels a little like she's playing God or even Zarith's role now in the story.

[Lexi]

And, yeah, you and I are very aligned about our feelings about Odina's Oracle book. It is so cool. On the one hand, and in the context of being in the story, I do think that it is done very well. And I am with you on the autonomy. And I'll expand on that even a little bit more here. It feels like Serris has a cheat sheet now for saving the world. And I kind of wanted her to figure that out on her own. I wanted her to come up with these ideas that pan out on her own. And some of them she does like when she doesn't see the next thing she's supposed to do from the journal, but she does it anyway on her own. But one of the things that I really love about FMCs is when they are strategic and they think outside the box and one step ahead. And this is a huge crutch for this series fmc, who I admit I was hoping to see step into a real leadership role like we have seen with other FMCs on this podcast. And as cool as Adina's Oracle book is, that just took that strength, that intelligence that we expect out of our FMCs to get themselves out of these situations. So my final thoughts on this is it's great for vibes, not so much for a deep dive with character analysis and such.

[Nicole]

Yes, I'll say this. Overall it's kind of like how you've been saying with it's hard to give Brimstone a rating because it feels like so much is hanging on book three. So I'm gonna say that I am overall open to how this will manifest in the story. I'm really hoping that the way that this book is executed is in book three specifically is it does allow for moments of autonomy. It plays into that suspense of what's next for the in the book while also giving our characters room to live their own lives and make decisions that do have consequences that Adina isn't orchestrating. And I actually do want to pull a thing that Brooke, our content researcher highlighted. I love it. She sometimes highlights and like gives me notes on my sections and I love it so much. She says that I can see this book working for a while and then things starting to go off path. Sarah's following the book is no longer working, so they instead decide to go off on their own. And I love that idea. I love the idea of that possibly happening. But then also I'm like, oh fuck, does that just make this entire storyline null and void then? Kind of like how it did with Zarith and I just. I want. I don't know what I want. I am excited to see how this plays out. So before we move on, I have a quick question for you, Lexi, my dear sweet sister. Oh dear, what is this question? Would you listen to Adina and follow the book's instructions and exercise the most releasing of control you've ever had in your life? Or would you ignore that and look ahead head?

[Lexi]

This feels like a very leading question from you, Nicole. I will this is what I like to think. It would be the biggest restraint of my life, but I would probably do what she says. I would be too scared to around with disobeying an oracle, especially when the fate of the world is on the line. But would I still peek at like A word or two. Yes. And then I would probably freak out and stress when that word that I see like, you know, like little like, you know, just like look at the corner and say like die. And I'm like, oh no. And then I would just be an absolute mess. Oh gosh. It reminds me of our feral fan, Jensen, who is known in our discord for looking at the last page of a book right when she starts them.

[Nicole]

God damn it, Jensen. You're gonna have to promise me that you don't do that with my book. I swear to God.

[Lexi]

The first half the of of Adina's book has more to learn than all the rest of the books in the libraries in this realm. What she has to share with Ceres is terrifying for our girl Seras to learn. But wow, what a Trevor trove of information. I wonder if Idina knew all of this about alchemy from knowing an alchemist. But by their generation, they were very, very, very few and far between, if around at all anymore. So I wonder if she learned from a bunch of information and combined it with her Oracle powers. Or is this all what she has gleaned from seeing all the different paths of this universe? And she's been able to literally just know all of this about alchemy as the hours tick by, Ceres is just eating up everything in this journal. And I would too. We learned that alchemists were often corrupted by their powers. Oh, Nicole, look. That's another little line that could make Madra Alchemist. Their fate is ruled by the strength of their will, but also by the heritage of the their blood. And while we know that Sarris has Fae ancestry somewhere, we have no idea whether she has a predisposition for succumbing to her magic. That would be a very good thing to know about your lineage. And I really do think that we are going to learn more about Ceres ancestry. Especially when it comes to the Fae and alchemy. Ah, look. That's the name of the series. We also learned that alchemists hadn't just channeled quicksilver. In some cases, they became so intertwined with quick quicksilver that they merged with it all together, becoming Silver Eyed heralds of the gods. Heron, is that you? Just kidding. I'm pretty sure he's dead. We need to do a little eulogy for him one of these days. If he's still not around in book three. These alchemists were the reason Bella Khan and his followers murdered the alchemists and eradicated them from the realm. They had become so powerful that they threatened the grasp of the Triumphant's power. I have a lot of questions about about this, and I do wonder if any exists still in other realms. And this is one of the other big reasons that Madra is so scared of alchemists is because they actually do threaten her Triumvirate power. Which would also mean that Saris may be just maybe. Nope. Because she also is Kingfisher. The one who sliced Belcon in half. Or it was that Saris that was. So what if Saris is the only one who can actually, actually kill a member of the Triumvirate because she is the one who got Malcolm.

[Nicole]

Yeah, sure. That would mean Malcolm's actually dead.

[Lexi]

Good. I.

[Nicole]

We do not have that confirmed.

[Lexi]

I will agree to that one there. All right, friends, let's tap into our Inner Oracle and turn our full attention to important foreshadowing moments for the rest of this book and speculations for book three and B beyond. Talena is unable to use her healing magic on Ceres. It's like it rolls off of her. I'm guessing this is because she is half Fae, half vampire. Something entirely different that her magic is not able to recognize. But then she does heal her burns later on in this chapter stretch, but we're not going to think about that. It's also good to know that Ceris is healing fast on her own. We already know from the Huntsman Cottage that she does have healing magic. And Tal has absorbed preserved her restoration magic too. I think you're right, Nicole. And she is all three types of alchemists. I also wonder if somehow, some way, the three types of alchemy are connected to the three paths, the three primes. It doesn't align with the runes needing to be sealed. And Sarah's already having this kind of access to her restoration magic, but I'm just throwing it out there.

[Nicole]

I like where your head is at, for sure.

[Lexi]

I'm really surprised at the three different types of types of alchemists were not mentioned in this book when that was such a big part of last book.

[Nicole]

One of the fire sprites is cleaning off a surface of a nightstand and comes across a piece of paper that Seiris has dumped there after returning to Kalish. That is the paper bird with Kingfisher's name on it. His true name. Yes.

[Lexi]

And the ceramic bird. That was Idina's favorite. I think the paper is found under the bird. Right? I'm not mistaken there. Which in this moment, the final fire sprite is picking up that bird ceramic Statue and then setting it back down onto that paper. While Idina was pregnant with Fisher, she found the ceramic bird at a market in Ballard. She said she had to have it. And then on Fisher's first birthday, she announced her son to be called Kingfisher. Like the ceramic bird. She apparently did not like anyone to touch it. Is it because she knew that it would come into play with this piece of paper? Everything Idina does and thinks has me wondering if she's just like centuries ahead playing chess.

[Nicole]

She's Taylor Swift in this realm. That's what's happening. Seirys asks Fisher how an oath sworn Fae can break their oath. To which he says they can't. Well, technically, no. Unless their mate utters their true name and commands them to break their oath while using their rune for break you. You know it's easy. Okay, this is more of a question because while they're reuniting in their room, it says, quote, fisher placed a hand over mine, stealing them. I saw the ink on the back of his hand had changed too. The quicksilver rune was solid now, marked in a metallic blue black. It says his quicksilver rune. So did I miss this or did Zarath go rogue? Or was it supposed to say my hand? We do know that her quicksilver room does fill in when it seals, so I'm leaning towards this as a typo.

[Lexi]

No, I. Because I actually was looking at that. It's because she is noticing it is on his hand too. Like it's kind of like a whole little thing with that. Yeah, I don't think it's actually a typo at all because she's noticing it's on his hand too. She does have that word too in there as well.

[Nicole]

Okay.

[Lexi]

I think it's part of their bond. He did get runes on his hand way back when in Quicksilver. When they banged and she got all of hers.

[Nicole]

Yes. Yeah.

[Lexi]

So he just can't use it. But because it's hers, it still shows up on him. And that's how I understand it. So it's a God bound me thing. Yeah.

[Nicole]

Okay, so this does bring up a cool bit of world building then. Because we know that their God binding rune is a metallic green blue. And her runes before they're sealed are black. So I'm guessing that when they do seal, they turn a metallic blue black, which metallic. And blue always makes me think of the gods. Always really cool.

[Lexi]

I have my eye on you, Manier, who is Talena's mate. As they are brainstorming how everlane could be impacted so horribly. He says that most of his research has revolved around court politics, but his own personal interests and varying magics has given him insight into elementary magics, shadow magics, blood magics and the like. This is now the second time his research has been mentioned. And while he hasn't added much to the group yet with his knowledge, I feel like these are seeds being planted for his character. And if Shadow magic is only possible for a half God, does he know about Fisher? Will he be able to help Carrion with his elemental magic? Or even Ceres? Because we learned how close Alchemy's Tria Prima and the Elements are connected. Last episode Anyway, I've just. I'm so interested in this tiny little character that we get on the same note as what Meniere's saying. He states this infection, the rot, perhaps if it's linked to Everlane, is either very old or very new. And I believe that both can be true here. I believe that it is very, very old magic being used to create. Create something new.

[Nicole]

I do agree on that.

[Lexi]

I was thinking you'd be. Oh, what a safe answer.

[Nicole]

There it was. I almost did that. And then I was like oh no, that's actually got some legs to it. That's fair. We get a mention about a few members of the Lupo Pralia from Foley in the library. Vash. Which if you remember Vash Gideon from the Battle of Azen Gate. And a new name. Man, where the fuck are you guys? Okay. Does Carrion have a true name? Because it's mentioned that I'll call like. Their common name is given to them at year one after their birth. But their true name is decided on at birth. Right? So where could carrying it should only be with his mother, Amelia. But maybe she told someone else. Maybe Adina knows somewhere.

[Lexi]

I've been wondering that too. The only person who I think could possibly know Carrion's true name is. Was Finryn. Besides Emelia. Maybe that was something shared when he had to take him into this other realm. But like I have mentioned before, maybe his true name is lost to history and this actually does work in caring's favor. Because he cannot be controlled by anyone. I don't know. We learn here that our crew was seriously considering ending the vampires lives once the crown was went on. Cerys Head, Lorath and Remphes voted to destroy Amitreas. Dania voted for taking it one step further and torturing them first before destroying Amontreith. But Cerus begged to give the Blood Court a chance for redemption and being the good mate he is, Fisher reluctantly agreed with her right after this was explained. In the passage Tal is mentioned, he most certainly will dismantle the Blood Court next episode, and he will do it in a way that manages to offer a chance at redemption. Redemption Saris, I'm sorry, but you kind of dropped the ball with this one. And thank goodness for Tal. That's all I'll say. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I zone in on the description of the Ori, which is a model of the solar system that Fisher observes in Foley's hidden home within the library. Finring used to have one of these in his study that Fisher was fascinated by, and his parents would study this model of the solar system for hours on end. But this Ori that Foley has is of a different universe, or at least a different number and alignment of planets, and these devices are notoriously difficult to make. But it seeming like Foley did make this I am waving my hands in the air and saying something is here. What if Fisher's parents were so often studying the universe as they mapped out realm jumping possibilities? Or even more likely Oracle things or ties to Fenrin's lineage with Daxes? And why is Foley's plans different? Is it maybe the same universe but but a different I'll call it perspective at looking at it? Or different universe?

[Nicole]

Somehow we see Ishabel walking into college having quite the fit upgrade. In the few days she was gone from college and she was up at Nevercross with her people, she had apparently undergunned one of the most intense trials a witch can do in order to become a prioress. We know because we've read the next section that Ishabel actually got this high honor because because she told the clan what she was planning on doing to take down the Blood Court, thus raising up her status. Oh, I can't wait to talk about her Saris. Wonders about Hayden's overall safety in Evilia had me thinking. Do you think he's making it out of this series?

[Lexi]

I don't think so.

[Nicole]

I don't think so.

[Lexi]

At this point though, it's like I I don't know if Callie's a character killer though after that's true what we experienced in Brimstone I but yeah, like with Onyx and Brimstone, I don't know if she's a character killer. That's fair.

[Nicole]

In the south drawing room there's a mention of a rose garden that be sprouting buds even though the weather is cold, cold, cold. Carrion's handy dandy work. Perhaps that's my impression. Maybe.

[Lexi]

I guess I just always imagine it was just like the magic of college. Magic Magic.

[Nicole]

It is time to enter Algott's library with Google guru the Shadow Cat, where each episode Lexi guides us through a world building topic to help us deepen our understanding of this world and its magic.

[Lexi]

Today's all gets library topic is Brimstone. I'm so excited.

[Nicole]

That's the title of this book.

[Lexi]

Brimstone is the second element in the Tria Prema and is not only an element in this world, but also a kind of magic. Brimstone is a second element in the Tria Prema. It is a glowing orange yellow magma that glows so bright it can burn your eyes. And it is hot, hot, hot. Even the unsealed Brimstone rune glows like embers after it flares. According to Adina, sealing the magic of the Brimstone to one soul comes at a great cost. Like I mentioned last week, historically alchemists shied away from Brimstone because it is too powerful and difficult to wield, and because it is closely linked with death and destruction. There is a way for alchemists to reject this rune, and to do so, they must submerge their hand in quicksilver and instruct it to strip the magic from them. But like we learned last week, in order to become an enlightened alchemist who walks all three paths, you must master the Brimstone too. You gotta have that rune sealed in Evelia. We cannot talk about Brimstone without bringing up the Fire Sprites because it is their most precious resource of life. Brimstone is like blood for the Fire Sprites. It doesn't act like human or Fae blood, but it is is what gives these Fire Sprites life and keeps them alive. Like blood, it flows through their bodies, keeping their core temperatures high. Unlike blood, Fire Sprites cannot lose a significant amount of Brimstone, only a few drops at most, because it does not regenerate as blood does. There is a finite amount of Brimstone in Evelia, and every last drop of it is spoken for by the Sprites. When they want to procreate, the whole community agrees to donate a small part of themselves in the form of Brimstone. And when Archer needed healing, the members of his pyre, AKA the Fire Sprite Community, each gave some of their own Brimstone to bring his core temperature back up to the required temperature to keep on living there. And then, of course, with the Brimstone we have the rot and feeders. When Brimstone touches the terrible rot, including feeders infected by the rot, it melts it until there is nothing left but ash. While brimstone is vital to eradicating the rot, to secure enough of it to do so and kill the infected feeders would mean that every fire sprite in Evelia would have to die. But luckily, there is another source of brimstone. It's just not in this realm. It is in Daxes realm of the Under Gods and dragons. Yes, dragons. Now, we don't know a whole lot about the sources of brimstone on Diax Axis, but we do see that the dragon arson has the ability to spew both fire and brimstone. So I am interpreting this as dragons can literally have brimstone to generate within them that they can breathe. And I'm wondering if that is why Fisher wants to cash in on getting his own dragon after all these centuries. He just walked the parapet after all, into this realm. The desperate need for Brimstone is why Fisher and Saris end up traveling to Daxis. They need access to Brimstone to fight this rot. And this realm of the dragons who are a source of Brimstone is where they will be able to have a chance at not only getting more, but I also think it's where Ceres will be able to seal her Brimstone as well, and maybe learn a little bit more about this power. And that is what we know about Brimstone.

[Nicole]

Let us close out this episode with prancing through the snow with Onyx and discussing our favorite moments from this stretch of chapters.

[Lexi]

My battles count continues and I apologize. I missed one last episode with bowels of the palace. And in this stretch of chapters we get bowels of the estate, which brings our total bowels count to six. It truly cannot be stated enough times in this deep dive. Archer is the best. The way he gets so frazzled and just wants to do well for Sarah's the lady of the house and she's like, we can't live like this forever with how formal he is is around her. I just love this little fire sprite so much.

[Nicole]

He's the best. When Fisher takes off his boot and pours sand out of it all while locking eyes with Saeris was perfection. Oh my God. Also, add this to one of my favorite Fisher lines ever. He's joking with Sares and he says, quote, I'm in love with Kingfisher. Kingfisher is so handsome. Look at his ass in those pants. And how he tells her that he loves Chicago, cannot close any door quietly. Like that is something that only a person truly in love can say about another. I love that. Sarah sees a new tattoo appear on Fisher, and then she thinks that she's not going to say anything and let him discover it the same way she discovers hers.

[Lexi]

Carrion says, quote, is it weird knowing that people's balls retract up into their bodies whenever you're around? He says this as he makes a cuppy motion of something being sucked up.

[Nicole]

The entire scene of Kingfisher singing to Onyx, even though he says he's not singing to the fox. That would be weird. He picks up Onyx and then he ends his song with a little flourish. And he sets the fox down on the bed and he pets him. And then he conjures a bowl of trout for him to eat. And all in thanks, Onyx gives him a pine cone, which Fisher pockets. Yes, Lexi, you have a pine cone?

[Lexi]

I have two pine cones in honor of them.

[Nicole]

God, I love this. I love this so much. A line that always gives me chills is Archer talking to Sarris about Idina, mentioning how the lady of Kalish used to sit in a chair in the Forge right next to the one that Serous was sitting in, and she would say that she was visiting a friend. Oh, my God, I love that shit. That's so good. And last but not least, the exchange with Fisher and Ceres where she asks what will happen if there is a day when where she wants to be carried, at least for a little while, and he says, quote, then it would be my honor and privilege to do so. Sarahs, never doubt that whenever you need me to catch you, I am here, ready and willing.

[Lexi]

Oh. All right, friends. And that is it for today's episode. Thank you so much for listening to this. Brimstone episode 5.

[Nicole]

Next Monday will be episode 6, covering chapter chapters 37 through 45. It's time to dismantle the blood cord.

[Lexi]

So excited. And we are officially more than halfway through with this coverage. Oh, yeah. We would love to give the biggest warm welcome, welcome, welcome. To our newest feral fans in the fan club. Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate you so much.

[Nicole]

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Mandy K and Chloe.

[Lexi]

Thank you, thank you, thank you so.

[Nicole]

Much for being here, both of you.

[Lexi]

Thank you so much. And if you're like, hey, I want my name shouted out on the podcast and being shouted with all this love too, join our Fan Club at fantasyfangirls.com Fan Club link is also in the show notes.

[Nicole]

Also, shout out to the feral fans who have just joined and they're saying in the dining room that they have just joined. Do that because it's like we get to welcome you with all the open arms. It makes me so happy. I love the dining room. Thank you as always to our master librarian, AKA our copy content researcher, Brooke, and our executive producer, AKA our sanity manager and co host of the Fantasy Fan Fellas, Hayden.

[Lexi]

We are very active on social media with weekly trivia, book guides and lots more. So please be sure to follow us on Instagram and Slash or Tik Tok at Fantasy Fangirls Pod. We have a whole lot of announcements coming up here too for you. Oh, wait, we're in January. Yeah, you all need to follow us on social media.

[Nicole]

I think we actually, we're making very exciting, exciting announcements this week, so keep an eye out on those posts.

[Lexi]

We're recording this before Christmas, so I have no concept of what our calendar looks like when you're all hearing this, but a lot is going on soon. All right. And also, if you are watching this on YouTube or you want to watch on YouTube to see our invitation of creeper birds, please hit that subscribe button to keep following along. And of course, the same goes for Fantasy Fan Fellas to give them a follow @Fantasy Fanfellows on Instagram and and TikTok. Get all the latest on the new show when season two is coming as Hayden and Steven continue their deep dive into Mistborn.

[Nicole]

While you're hitting buttons, do not forget to hit that five star button on whatever podcast platform you are listening on. And if you're feeling extra generous, write a little love note in that review section. It is so when I say it's so, so, so, so, so helpful, not just for this podcast, but for any podcast you listen to. I really mean it. And last but certainly not least, share this episode with your fellow Brimstone friends. If you were terrified for Archer's safety and you would share a little bit of your Brimstone blood to make someone else come back, that person that you share a little Brimstone blood with, you send this to them.

[Lexi]

All right, everybody, we're signing off. We hope that you are having a great start to the new year. Thank you so much for being part of this journey with us at Fantasy Fangirls. Bye. Bye. Bye.

[Nicole]

That is not what you wrote in the outline.

[Lexi]

Did I ask him?

[Nicole]

Okay, sorry, I was scrolling down Hung out with his friends. God damn it. Savinia. Zavina. Zavina. God damn it, Zavini.

[Lexi]

God God damn it.

[Nicole]

So then so God damn it. Zovina.

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