Bard's Oath and Exile

The story opens with a bard's tale about a clever human, Paca, who outwits trolls at a legendary bridge, invoking a mysterious oath. Thirteen-year-old Lark, a girl marked by trauma and fear, listens, clinging to the hope that the South Star will guide her to a place of belonging. Years later, Lark flees her abusive father and the human settlements that have rejected her, driven by a prophecy and the bard's story. She seeks the mythical city of Cagmar, home of the trolls, believing it to be her last refuge. The world is parched by drought, and both humans and trolls are desperate survivors. Lark's journey is one of exhaustion, hunger, and the constant threat of being hunted, but she is determined to find sanctuary, even if it means facing the monsters of legend.

Bridge of No Return

Lark arrives at the Empyrean Bridge, a marvel of ancient architecture spanning a vast canyon. As she steps onto the bridge, she is ambushed by trolls—massive, armored, and intimidating. She invokes the bard's oath, which momentarily stays their violence. The trolls, bound by their own traditions, take her captive and bring her deep into Cagmar, the city hanging beneath the bridge. Lark is presented to the troll council, who are skeptical of her worth and suspicious of her motives. She pleads for sanctuary, offering her skills and, in desperation, reveals her unique ability: she can project fear into others. The trolls test her power, and she terrifies their leader, Qequan, earning a precarious place in their society as a potential weapon.

Captured by Trollis Law

Lark is assigned to Unach, a formidable female troll and monster slayer, who is tasked with teaching her the ways of Cagmar. Lark is thrust into a world of rigid caste hierarchies, brutal expectations, and constant danger from the monsters lurking in the canyon. She struggles to adapt, facing prejudice from both trolls and the enclave of human refugees. Her only allies are Unach's brother, Azmar, a reserved engineer, and Perg, a half-troll, half-human outcast. Lark's days are filled with grueling training, menial labor, and the ever-present threat of being cast out if she cannot prove her worth. Despite the hostility, she begins to find a fragile sense of belonging.

Bargaining with Fear

Lark's power to instill fear becomes both her shield and her curse. She is used in monster hunts, her ability turning away deadly canyon beasts. Yet, her secret isolates her, and the trolls debate whether she is a tool or a threat. Lark navigates the treacherous politics of Cagmar, learning the nuances of troll oaths, the meaning of Regret (the trolls' god of castaways), and the city's reliance on strength and honor. She forms a tenuous friendship with Azmar, who values her intellect and resilience, and with Perg, who understands the pain of being between worlds. Lark's longing for family and acceptance deepens, but so does her fear of being discovered for what she truly is.

Unlikely Sanctuary

Lark is given a small, cold room in Cagmar, symbolizing her liminal status. She endures suspicion, bullying, and the threat of violence from both trolls and humans. Yet, small acts of kindness—a blanket from Unach, Azmar's quiet support, Perg's camaraderie—begin to thaw her defenses. She learns the city's layout, its castes, and the rules that govern survival. Lark's literacy and mathematical skills make her useful to Azmar in Engineering, and she starts to see the trolls as more than monsters. The enclave of humans, however, resents her special status, and a brutal betrayal by those she hoped would be her friends leaves her physically and emotionally scarred.

Cagmar's Castes Revealed

Lark comes to understand the rigid caste system of Cagmar: Supra (council), Alpine (warriors), Montra (slayers), Centra (engineers), Intra (teachers), Deccor (workers), Nethens (outcasts), and Plebs (servants). Humans have no caste, and Perg, as a half-breed, is barely above them. The trolls' society is built on strength, but also on tradition, honor, and the memory of being driven underground by humans. Lark's place is always precarious, and she must constantly prove her usefulness. Her relationships with Unach, Azmar, and Perg deepen, but the threat of exposure and exile looms. The city's fragile peace is threatened by monster attacks and the simmering resentment between castes and species.

Monsters at the Gates

A massive monster breaches Cagmar's defenses, and Lark's power is put to the ultimate test. She uses her fear to drive the beast away, saving the city but exposing her abilities to more trolls. Suspicion and awe mingle in the aftermath, and Lark's position becomes both more secure and more dangerous. The council debates her fate, and Qequan warns her never to use her power against trolls again. Lark's relationships are strained by the attention, and she is forced to navigate the city's politics with even greater care. The threat of war with the humans grows, and Lark is caught between her loyalty to her new home and the fear that she will never truly belong.

Human Among Trollis

Lark's daily life is a constant negotiation of identity and survival. She is both a tool and a liability, valued for her power but never trusted. Her friendships with Azmar and Perg offer solace, but the human enclave's bitterness and the trolls' suspicion isolate her. Lark's longing for family and acceptance is mirrored in her study of the stars, seeking meaning and guidance. She learns of the Cosmodian, a star-reader who once gave her hope, and dreams of finding her again. The city's tensions escalate as rumors of human armies and trollis mobilization spread. Lark's secret love for Azmar grows, but both know it is forbidden.

The Enclave's Bitterness

Lark's attempt to find community among the human enclave ends in violence. Jealous and resentful of her special status, several humans lure her into a trap and beat her, blaming her for their suffering. Lark is rescued by Perg and nursed back to health by Ritha, a kind human healer. The experience hardens her resolve but deepens her loneliness. She realizes that she is truly between worlds—too human for the trolls, too troll-like for the humans. Her only solace is in her growing bond with Azmar, who confides his own story of being saved by a human woman during a raid. Their mutual understanding becomes a lifeline.

Secrets and Suspicion

Lark and Azmar's relationship deepens, but secrecy is essential. Unach grows suspicious, and the council's scrutiny intensifies. Lark's power is both a blessing and a curse, and she fears what will happen if it is revealed. Grodd, a powerful troll and enemy, becomes obsessed with exposing her, leading to a violent confrontation. Azmar risks his own status to protect Lark, and their love becomes both a source of strength and vulnerability. The city teeters on the brink of war, and Lark is forced to choose between her loyalty to Cagmar and her own survival.

Caste Tournament Blood

The quarterly caste tournament is held, where trolls can challenge each other for higher status. Perg, desperate to rise above his outcast status, fights bravely but is brutally beaten by Grodd, who manipulates the rules to strip him of his victory. Lark intervenes, using her fear to save Perg, exposing her power to the entire city. The council is both grateful and alarmed, warning her never to use her ability on trolls again. Grodd is demoted, but his hatred for Lark intensifies. The tournament cements Lark's place as both a hero and a pariah, and the fragile peace of Cagmar is shattered.

Grodd's Revenge

Grodd, humiliated and enraged, stalks Lark through the city, seeking revenge. He attacks her, nearly killing her, but Azmar intervenes, saving her life. The experience leaves Lark traumatized and more isolated than ever. Unach and Azmar take steps to protect her, but the threat of Grodd and the city's suspicion remain. Lark's relationship with Azmar deepens, but secrecy is more important than ever. The city's tensions escalate as rumors of human armies grow, and Lark fears that her presence will bring ruin to those she loves.

Azmar's Kindness

Azmar's quiet support becomes Lark's anchor. He shares his own story of being wounded in a human raid and saved by a compassionate woman, shaping his view of humans and trolls alike. Their bond deepens into love, but both know it is dangerous. Azmar gives Lark his bloodstone, the troll equivalent of a marriage token, risking everything for her. Unach discovers their secret and is furious, but ultimately chooses loyalty to her brother over tradition. Lark and Azmar dream of a future together, but the threat of war and the city's prejudice loom large.

Star-Reading and Hope

Lark's fascination with the stars and the Cosmodian's prophecy becomes a source of hope and guidance. She learns to read the constellations, finding comfort in their patterns and the promise of a family of her own. Her relationship with Azmar is both a fulfillment of the prophecy and a defiance of the world's expectations. Lark's longing for acceptance and belonging is mirrored in her study of the heavens, and she clings to the hope that her broken road will lead to a place where she is loved and safe. The city's tensions escalate, and Lark is forced to confront the reality that her happiness may come at a terrible cost.

War Drums Sound

News arrives that human armies, led by Lark's father, Ottius Thellele, are mobilizing against Cagmar. The trolls prepare for battle, and Lark is caught between her loyalty to her new home and the fear that her past will destroy everything she has built. The council, suspicious of her motives, imprisons her, and she is forced to bargain for her life by offering to spy on her father. Lark's journey comes full circle as she is exiled from Cagmar and sent back to the world she fled, tasked with gathering intelligence that could save or doom the city.

Betrayal and Dungeon

Lark is thrown into Cagmar's dungeon, accused of treachery after being caught with a forbidden weapon. She is visited by Perg, who tries to help her escape, but she refuses to endanger him. The council offers her a deal: spy on her father and return with information, or face execution. Lark is torn between her love for Azmar and her duty to the city. She agrees, knowing that failure will mean death for both of them. The chapter is a crucible of fear, loyalty, and sacrifice, as Lark prepares to face the man who has haunted her life.

Father's Army

Lark returns to her father's army, using her power to extract information from a captured troll and to manipulate her father's soldiers. She endures abuse, suspicion, and the constant threat of violence, but manages to gather intelligence on the human army's plans. Lark's father, ever the manipulator, uses her as a weapon, and she is forced to confront the trauma of her childhood. Her only hope is to escape and return to Cagmar with the information that could save the city. The chapter is a harrowing journey through pain, memory, and the struggle for agency.

The Battle for Cagmar

The human and troll armies clash in a brutal battle. Lark, bound and desperate, escapes her father and flees across the battlefield. She is pursued, but Azmar, wounded and fighting for his life, comes to her rescue. In a moment of terror and love, Lark uses her power to drive Azmar to safety, knowing it will forever change their relationship. The battle is chaos and carnage, and Lark's actions tip the balance, but at a terrible personal cost. The chapter is a crescendo of fear, love, and sacrifice, as Lark and Azmar are torn apart by the very power that saved them.

Monsters Unleashed

With the city under siege and hope fading, Lark descends into the canyon and uses her power to unleash the monsters of the deep upon the human army. She becomes the weapon of Cagmar, channeling all her fear and pain into a wave of terror that drives the monsters to attack the invaders. The effort nearly kills her, and she is left broken and exhausted. The city is saved, but at the cost of her health and the last shreds of her innocence. Lark's power is both her salvation and her curse, and she is left to reckon with the consequences.

Aftermath and Exile

In the aftermath of the battle, Lark is shunned by Unach and the city, blamed for the chaos and the forbidden love with Azmar. She is left alone, her relationship with Azmar seemingly destroyed by the fear she inflicted on him. Lark prepares to leave Cagmar, seeking the hidden human township she learned of from Tayler, hoping to find a place where she can belong. She says goodbye to her friends, mourns the loss of her father (killed in battle), and prepares for a new journey. The chapter is a meditation on loss, resilience, and the hope for reconciliation.

The Cost of Fear

As Lark prepares to leave, Azmar finds her. He reveals that his fear response is to fight, not flee, and that he understood what she did to save him. Their love, though scarred, endures. Azmar offers to leave Cagmar with her, but Lark refuses to let him sacrifice everything. Instead, they choose to face the world together, forging a new path as equals. The city's prejudice remains, but Lark and Azmar's bond is unbreakable. They set out to find Tayler's township, seeking a place where they can build a family and a future.

Forgiveness and Family

Lark and Azmar travel north, following the canyon and the promise of a new home. They find hope in the rain, a sign of renewal in a world long parched by drought. Lark's journey comes full circle, from exile and fear to love and acceptance. The prophecy of the Cosmodian is fulfilled: her path was broken and looping, but it led her to family, belonging, and the possibility of joy. The story ends with the promise of healing, forgiveness, and the enduring power of hope.

Characters

Lark (Calia Thellele)

Lark is a young woman marked by trauma, gifted (or cursed) with the ability to project fear into others. Fleeing an abusive father and a world that rejects her, she seeks sanctuary in Cagmar, the city of trolls. Lark is fiercely intelligent, resourceful, and resilient, but deeply scarred by betrayal and loneliness. Her longing for family and acceptance drives her, and her power is both her shield and her burden. Lark's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to wield her fear with compassion and to trust in love, even when it seems impossible. Her relationships with Azmar, Unach, and Perg are central to her growth, and her ultimate triumph is in forging a new family and a place where she belongs.

Azmar 937

Azmar is a troll of the Centra caste, an engineer who values intellect, justice, and quiet strength over brute force. He is Unach's brother and becomes Lark's closest confidant and eventual lover. Azmar's past is marked by violence—he was wounded in a human raid but saved by a compassionate woman, shaping his nuanced view of both species. He is reserved, thoughtful, and deeply loyal, willing to risk everything for those he loves. Azmar's relationship with Lark is transformative for both, challenging the prejudices of their world and offering hope for reconciliation. His response to fear is to fight, not flee, making him both a protector and a survivor.

Unach 935

Unach is a Montra, a monster slayer and Azmar's sister. She is formidable, blunt, and values strength above all, but beneath her hard exterior lies a deep loyalty to family and a capacity for kindness. Unach is initially suspicious of Lark, seeing her as a burden, but gradually becomes a protector and, in her own way, a friend. Her struggle to reconcile tradition with love is central to her arc, and her eventual acceptance of Lark and Azmar's relationship is hard-won. Unach's journey is one of learning to value vulnerability and to see strength in compassion.

Perg

Perg is the only known half-human, half-troll in Cagmar, occupying the Nethens caste. He is broad, strong, and deeply insecure, longing for acceptance in a world that despises his mixed heritage. Perg's friendship with Lark is built on shared pain and mutual understanding. He is brave, self-deprecating, and fiercely loyal, risking himself to protect Lark. Perg's arc is one of striving for belonging, fighting in the caste tournament to rise above his status, and ultimately finding hope in the possibility of a community that will accept him for who he is.

Qequan

Qequan is the Supra who leads the troll council. He is massive, cunning, and values strength, honor, and the survival of his people above all. Qequan is both a protector and a threat to Lark, recognizing her usefulness but never fully trusting her. His decisions are pragmatic, often harsh, and he is willing to sacrifice individuals for the good of Cagmar. Qequan's relationship with Lark is complex—he admires her power but fears its implications. His arc is one of maintaining order in a world on the brink of chaos.

Grodd

Grodd is a powerful troll who becomes Lark's nemesis. Humiliated in the caste tournament and demoted to Pleb, he becomes obsessed with exposing and destroying Lark. Grodd is driven by hatred, pride, and a sense of lost honor. His violence and cruelty are a constant threat, and his pursuit of revenge nearly costs Lark her life. Grodd's arc is a cautionary tale of the corrosive power of prejudice and the dangers of unchecked rage.

Ritha

Ritha is a human herbalist and midwife in the enclave, one of the few who shows Lark consistent kindness. She is wise, compassionate, and carries her own scars from life in Cagmar. Ritha becomes a surrogate mother figure to Lark, offering healing, advice, and a connection to her lost past. Her knowledge of Lark's true heritage and her role in the story's revelations are pivotal. Ritha's arc is one of quiet resilience and the power of small acts of care.

Ottius Thellele

Lark's father is a manipulative, violent man who rules his domain through fear and cunning. He is the leader of the human army that attacks Cagmar, using Lark as a weapon and a tool. Ottius is a master of psychological warfare, shaping Lark's childhood and haunting her every step. His death in battle is both a liberation and a source of complex grief for Lark. Ottius embodies the dangers of unchecked power and the legacy of generational trauma.

Tayler

Tayler is a young human from a hidden township in the north, open-minded and willing to trust Lark. He represents the possibility of a community where difference is accepted, and his friendship offers Lark hope for a new beginning. Tayler's township is home to Baten, another half-troll, and symbolizes the potential for reconciliation and healing in a fractured world.

The Cosmodian

The Cosmodian is a mysterious star-reader who gives Lark a prophecy as a child, promising her a broken road that will lead to family and belonging. Though she appears only briefly, her words shape Lark's journey, offering hope and meaning in the face of suffering. The Cosmodian represents the power of faith, destiny, and the search for purpose in a chaotic world.

Plot Devices

Fear as Power and Curse

The central plot device is Lark's ability to project fear—a power that is both her greatest weapon and her deepest curse. It is used to save lives, turn the tide of battle, and protect those she loves, but it also isolates her, makes her a target, and threatens to destroy her most cherished relationships. Fear is explored as a universal force—crippling, invigorating, and transformative. The narrative structure weaves Lark's internal struggle with fear into the external conflicts of survival, war, and belonging. Foreshadowing is used through the bard's tale, the Cosmodian's prophecy, and the recurring motif of the stars, guiding Lark's journey and hinting at the cost and redemption that await her.

Caste and Prejudice

The trollis caste system is a powerful plot device, shaping every interaction and opportunity in Cagmar. It creates tension, competition, and violence, but also offers a path for ambition and change. The system's rigidity mirrors the prejudice faced by Lark, Perg, and other outsiders, and serves as a crucible for testing loyalty, love, and the possibility of transformation. The caste tournaments, council politics, and the rules governing humans and half-breeds are all used to explore themes of power, exclusion, and the longing for acceptance.

The Bridge and the Stars

The Empyrean Bridge is both a literal and metaphorical threshold—crossing it means leaving one world for another, with no guarantee of return. The stars, and the Cosmodian's prophecy, serve as a guiding force, offering hope, meaning, and the promise of family. These symbols are woven throughout the narrative, marking pivotal moments of choice, loss, and renewal. The bridge is the site of both exile and belonging, while the stars remind Lark that her journey, though broken and looping, is not without purpose.

War and Reconciliation

The looming war between humans and trolls is both backdrop and engine for the story's events. It forces characters to confront their loyalties, prejudices, and desires. The battle for Cagmar is a crucible in which love, sacrifice, and the cost of power are tested. The unleashing of monsters, the use of fear as a weapon, and the aftermath of violence all serve to question whether reconciliation is possible in a world built on division. The story's resolution, with Lark and Azmar seeking a new home together, offers a vision of hope and healing.

Analysis

Charlie N. Holmberg's The Hanging City is a masterful exploration of fear, belonging, and the search for family in a world fractured by prejudice and violence. Through Lark's journey—from exile and trauma to the hard-won hope of love and acceptance—the novel interrogates the cost of survival and the power of compassion. Fear, both as a supernatural ability and a universal emotion, is at the heart of the story, shaping identity, relationships, and fate. The rigid caste system of Cagmar and the legacy of war between humans and trolls serve as potent metaphors for real-world systems of exclusion and the longing for connection. Holmberg's narrative is both intimate and epic, balancing the personal stakes of Lark's relationships with the broader questions of reconciliation and healing. The novel's ultimate message is one of hope: that even in a world defined by broken roads and ancient wounds, it is possible to find family, forgiveness, and a place to belong. The stars, ever-present and guiding, remind us that our paths, though winding and difficult, can lead to unexpected joy and renewal.

Last updated: October 28, 2025