This moment was the height of tension
The confrontation between Tavore, Kalam and T’amber on one side, and Laseen, Mallick Rel and Korbolo Dom on the other. What an absolute peak moment.
After all that waiting, we finally get to meet Laseen, and she’s surrounded by these fucking traitors. Tavore gave me goosebumps. I was almost ready to fall in love with her. It’s not that I ever doubted her loyalty to the Fourteenth Army and the Wickans, but seeing her stand up for them in front of Laseen herself was incredibly satisfying.
And it feels like the power of Tavore’s words is amplified by T’amber’s presence, almost as if she were an extension of the Adjunct’s will. Which contrasts sharply with the apparent severing of the sacred bond between Laseen and Tavore.
And what can I even say about Kalam? We know he’s one of the most terrifying assassins in the Empire, but as readers we’re used to feeling safe around him. So it’s incredibly exciting to realize just how much fear he inspires in malicious minds.
GOAT moment, in my opinion.