Blood and Betrayal

The story opens in chaos, with Vis (Diago) running for his life through a world torn apart by betrayal and bloodshed. The Academy, once a place of learning and ambition, is now a graveyard of friends and ideals. Vis is forced to confront the consequences of choices made by those he trusted—Ulciscor, Veridius, and Emissa—each of whom has played a part in the tragedy that has unfolded. The pain of loss is immediate and visceral, as Vis is driven by both fear and the desperate hope that something can still be salvaged from the wreckage. The sense of control is gone, replaced by the raw need to survive and the haunting knowledge that the world he knew is lost forever.

Through the Gate

Vis is thrust through the mysterious Gate, a device that copies him into another world—Obiteum. The transition is disorienting, both physically and existentially, as he grapples with the idea that another version of himself remains behind. He is not alone; Caeror, Ulciscor's brother, becomes his guide through this new, devastated landscape. The world is a mirror of his own, yet twisted and ruined, haunted by the threat of the Concurrence and the ever-present Gleaners. The journey is a test of trust, as Vis must rely on Caeror's knowledge and resilience to navigate a place where the rules of Will and survival are fundamentally changed.

The Weight of Loss

Vis awakens in a strange land, wounded and alone, his arm lost to the violence of the Labyrinth. He is taken in by strangers—Gráinne and her family—who nurse him back to health. The language barrier and cultural differences are daunting, but the warmth of their care offers a fragile sense of belonging. Yet, the specter of death lingers, as Vis mourns the friends left behind and the innocence stolen by war. The pain of his missing arm is a constant reminder of sacrifice, and the kindness of his new companions is both a balm and a source of guilt. The chapter is suffused with longing for home and the ache of what can never be regained.

The Dead City

Vis, now called Siamun, is drawn into the heart of Duat—a city ruled by the godlike Ka and populated by the living dead, the iunctii. With the help of Netiqret, a cunning assassin, and Ahmose, a haunted iunctus, he learns the city's cruel logic: the dead serve the living, and the Nomarch's mind controls all. The city is a labyrinth of surveillance and ritual, where every step is watched and every act of rebellion is a risk. Vis's struggle to maintain his identity and agency in a place designed to erase both is a battle against despair. The chapter pulses with the tension of hiding in plain sight and the horror of a society built on the denial of death.

The Nomarch's Shadow

Vis and Netiqret descend into the depths of Duat, seeking the Nomarch—the collective mind that governs the city's iunctii. The journey is fraught with moral ambiguity, as Netiqret's quest to save her daughter Kiya collides with Vis's mission to disrupt Ka's power. The Nomarch is revealed as a network of child iunctii, their minds sacrificed for the city's order. Vis's ability to control iunctii is tested to its limits, and the cost of intervention becomes clear: to break the system, he must risk becoming part of it. The chapter is a meditation on the ethics of power and the price of freedom.

The Price of Power

As the war for Caten escalates, Vis is forced to make decisions that blur the line between hero and monster. The city is a battlefield, with friends and enemies indistinguishable in the chaos. The Anguis, the Senate, and the Concurrence all vie for control, each willing to spill blood for their vision of the future. Vis's own hands are stained as he dons the mask of Carnifex, the executioner, to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. The cost of wielding Will—of commanding the dead and shaping fate—is measured in lives lost and souls broken. The chapter is a crucible of guilt, rage, and the desperate hope that some good can still be salvaged.

The Festival of Ruin

The Festival of Pletuna, once a time of unity, becomes a stage for violence and betrayal. The city's factions gather in uneasy truce, but old wounds and new ambitions quickly shatter any hope of peace. Vis navigates the treacherous politics of the Forum, haunted by the ghosts of friends and the weight of expectations. The festival's rituals are hollow, the joy forced, as the city teeters on the brink of civil war. The chapter is a portrait of a society unraveling, where every act of celebration is tinged with dread and every alliance is a potential betrayal.

The Masked Executioner

As Carnifex, Vis becomes both symbol and weapon, striking fear into the hearts of the powerful and hope into the oppressed. The line between justice and vengeance blurs as he hunts those responsible for the city's suffering. The violence is personal, each act a reckoning for past wrongs. Yet, the mask is a prison as much as a shield, isolating Vis from those he loves and forcing him to confront the darkness within himself. The chapter is a meditation on the corrosive nature of power and the seductive allure of retribution.

The Prisoner's Dilemma

Vis undertakes a daring rescue of Lanistia and Ulciscor from the depths of Caten's prisons, navigating a labyrinth of betrayal and violence. The cost of freedom is high, as allies are lost and enemies multiply. The choices made in the darkness—who to save, who to leave behind—haunt Vis, even as he clings to the hope that some lives can still be redeemed. The chapter is a study in the ethics of survival, where every decision is a gamble and every victory is tinged with loss.

The Silver Arm

Cast into the depths of despair, Vis is saved by the sacrifice of his father, Cristoval, and the mysterious power of the silver arm. Emerging from the lake, he is reborn as Deaglán Silverhand, a symbol of hope and defiance. The battle for Caer Áras becomes a crucible, as Deaglán faces Gallchobhar and the forces of Fiachra. The victory is hard-won, paid for in blood and grief, but it marks a turning point: the possibility of healing, of forging a new identity from the ashes of the old. The chapter is a testament to resilience and the enduring power of love.

The Test of Fornax

Deaglán is sent to Fornax, the ancient city beneath the lake, to prove his worth as a nasceann. The test is both physical and spiritual, confronting him with the legacy of the past and the burden of the future. The city is haunted by the echoes of the Hierarchy, its statues and symbols a reminder of the cycles of power and sacrifice. The trial is a crucible of identity, forcing Deaglán to reconcile the many selves he has become—prince, orphan, warrior, friend. The chapter is a journey through memory and meaning, culminating in the acceptance of both loss and possibility.

The Father's Return

In a moment of grace, Deaglán is reunited with his father, Cristoval, who has been preserved by the power of Will. The meeting is a balm for old wounds, a chance to say what was left unsaid and to find peace in the midst of chaos. The wisdom of the past is passed on, and the weight of responsibility is shared. The chapter is suffused with love and sorrow, a reminder that even in a world broken by war, the bonds of family and friendship endure.

The Fall of Caten

The city of Caten is consumed by violence as the pretenders to the throne unleash their armies and the Proscriptions turn neighbor against neighbor. The streets run red, and the ideals of the Republic are drowned in blood. Vis and Eidhin fight to protect the innocent, but the scale of the destruction is overwhelming. The chapter is a portrait of a society in freefall, where hope is a fragile thing and survival is never guaranteed.

The Last Choice

Guided by Ka, Vis is led to the Necropolis, where he is given the power to raise an army of the dead. The choice is agonizing: to wield such power is to become what he has always feared, yet to refuse is to abandon those he loves to certain death. The act of awakening the iunctii is both a sacrifice and a sin, a testament to the impossible choices demanded by war. The chapter is a meditation on the nature of leadership, the cost of victory, and the hope that some good can still be salvaged from the wreckage.

The End of Ka

Vis ascends the Pyramid of Ka, armed with the crook and flail, and faces the sleeping god at the heart of Duat. The act of killing Ka is both an ending and a beginning, shattering the machinery of control and freeing the city from its ancient bondage. The victory is not without cost—friends are lost, and the future is uncertain—but the possibility of healing and renewal is real. The chapter is a catharsis, a release of the tension and pain that has driven the story, and a promise that even in the darkest of times, hope can endure.

Stronger Together

In the aftermath of war, Vis is reunited with his family and friends—some lost, some found, all changed by the trials they have endured. The bonds forged in suffering become the foundation for a new world, one built not on the strength of the few, but on the resilience of the many. The chapter is a celebration of love, forgiveness, and the enduring power of community. The story ends not with triumph, but with the quiet, hard-won knowledge that together, even the broken can begin to heal.

Characters

Vis / Diago / Deaglán

Vis is the heart of the story—a young man shaped by loss, betrayal, and the relentless demands of survival. Born Diago, prince of Suus, he is forced to flee his homeland and assume new identities, each one a mask to protect himself and those he loves. His journey is one of constant transformation: from orphan to student, from friend to executioner, from victim to leader. The trauma of the past is never far from his thoughts, and the weight of responsibility often threatens to crush him. Yet, through grief and guilt, he finds the strength to fight for others, even when it means sacrificing his own happiness. His relationships—with Emissa, Eidhin, Aequa, Ulciscor, and his father—are the anchors that keep him from drifting into despair. Over the course of the story, Vis learns that true strength lies not in power, but in the willingness to bear the burdens of others and to choose hope, even when all seems lost.

Eidhin Breac

Eidhin is Vis's steadfast companion, a man of few words but deep convictions. His loyalty is hard-won and absolute, forged in the crucible of the Academy and tested by the horrors of war. Eidhin's sense of honor is both his greatest strength and his greatest vulnerability; he is haunted by the compromises he has made and the friends he could not save. The loss of his brother and the betrayal of his father weigh heavily on him, but he finds purpose in standing by Vis, even when the path is uncertain. Eidhin's journey is one of learning to forgive—not just others, but himself—and to find meaning in the bonds of friendship and the fight for a better world.

Emissa Corenius

Emissa is a complex figure—both ally and adversary, lover and betrayer. Her intelligence and ambition make her a formidable player in the political games of Caten, but her heart is never fully at ease with the choices she must make. Torn between loyalty to her family, her ideals, and her love for Vis, Emissa is a study in contradictions. Her actions are often driven by necessity rather than desire, and the guilt of her betrayals is a constant shadow. Yet, she is also a source of hope and inspiration, a reminder that even those who have done harm can seek redemption. Her relationship with Vis is fraught with pain and longing, but ultimately rooted in a deep, if fragile, trust.

Ulciscor Telimus

Ulciscor is a man consumed by the need for answers and justice, his life defined by the loss of his brother Caeror. His love for Vis is real, but often expressed through manipulation and control, as he tries to shape his adopted son into the weapon he believes is needed to save the world. Ulciscor's inability to let go of the past blinds him to the pain he causes, and his quest for truth often comes at the expense of those closest to him. Over time, he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and to seek forgiveness—not just from others, but from himself. His arc is one of learning to relinquish control and to trust in the strength of those he loves.

Caeror / Ruarc

Caeror, Ulciscor's brother, is both a mentor and a cautionary tale for Vis. His journey through Obiteum and Luceum is one of hope turned to despair, as he becomes Ruarc, a leader willing to sacrifice anything for what he believes is the greater good. His actions are driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a belief in the necessity of hard choices, but the cost is immense—both to himself and to those around him. Caeror's relationship with Vis is fraught with tension and regret, as each sees in the other the possibility of redemption or ruin. His ultimate surrender is an act of both contrition and hope, a plea for understanding and a warning against the dangers of unchecked conviction.

Lanistia Scipio

Lanistia is a warrior and mentor, her strength matched only by her capacity for compassion. Blinded and scarred by the consequences of her choices, she is nonetheless unyielding in her pursuit of justice and her loyalty to those she loves. Her relationship with Ulciscor and Vis is one of mutual respect and shared pain, as each grapples with the burdens of the past. Lanistia's journey is one of learning to accept help, to forgive herself, and to find purpose in a world that has taken so much from her.

Aequa Claudius

Aequa is the conscience of the group, her unwavering sense of right and wrong a guiding light for Vis and the others. Her death is a devastating blow, a reminder of the cost of war and the fragility of hope. Yet, her influence endures, shaping the choices of those she leaves behind and inspiring them to continue the fight for a better world. Aequa's legacy is one of courage, kindness, and the belief that even in darkness, it is possible to do good.

Netiqret

Netiqret is a study in resilience and sacrifice, her life defined by the loss of her daughter and the compromises she has made to survive in Duat. Her skills as an assassin are matched by her intelligence and adaptability, but the pain of her choices is never far from the surface. Netiqret's relationship with Vis is one of mutual respect and wary alliance, each recognizing in the other the cost of survival. Her arc is a meditation on the limits of endurance and the hope that, even after unimaginable loss, it is possible to find meaning and redemption.

Ka

Ka is the unseen hand that shapes the world of Duat, his power absolute and his will enforced through the machinery of the Nomarch and the iunctii. Yet, beneath the veneer of divinity is a man haunted by the weight of his own choices, trapped by the very system he created. Ka's confrontation with Vis is both a battle and a reckoning, a moment of liberation and loss. His death is the end of an era, the shattering of an ancient order, and the beginning of a new, uncertain future.

Cristoval

Cristoval is the emotional anchor of the story, his love and wisdom guiding Vis through the darkest moments. His survival and eventual sacrifice are acts of grace, offering Vis the chance to heal and to find the strength to continue. Cristoval's presence is a reminder that even in a world broken by violence, the bonds of family and the power of forgiveness can endure. His legacy is one of love, resilience, and the quiet courage to face the unknown.

Plot Devices

Parallel Worlds and Identity

The narrative is built on the device of parallel worlds—Res, Obiteum, and Luceum—each a near-identical copy, yet shaped by different histories and choices. The Gate copies individuals, creating versions of the same person who diverge as they face unique challenges. This device is used to explore questions of identity, fate, and agency: what does it mean to be "the real" Vis, or Diago, or Deaglán? The psychological tension of knowing other versions of oneself exist—and may succeed or fail where one does not—adds depth to every decision. The device also allows for foreshadowing and dramatic irony, as events in one world echo or diverge from those in another.

Will, Ceding, and Power Structures

The system of Will—its ceding, imbuing, and adoption—is both a magical and political device. It structures society, determines status, and shapes the very fabric of relationships. The act of ceding is a metaphor for trust, sacrifice, and the dangers of hierarchy. The ability to adopt or steal Will is a plot engine for both empowerment and corruption, allowing for reversals of fortune and the blurring of moral lines. The device is used to interrogate the ethics of leadership, the cost of power, and the ways in which systems designed for order can become instruments of oppression.

The Mask and the Executioner

The mask of Carnifex is a classic device of dual identity, allowing Vis to become both feared and revered. It is a tool for justice, but also a prison, isolating him from those he loves and forcing him to confront the darkness within himself. The mask is used to explore the tension between public and private selves, the allure of vengeance, and the corrosive nature of violence. It also serves as a narrative anchor for the city's shifting perceptions, allowing for dramatic reveals and reversals.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The story is rich with foreshadowing—visions, dreams, and the repetition of key phrases ("Stronger together," "Death is a doorway") that hint at future events and the cyclical nature of history. The tests of Fornax, the prophecies of the druids, and the warnings of the iunctii all serve to build tension and a sense of inevitability, even as characters struggle to assert their agency. The device is used to create suspense, deepen the emotional stakes, and underscore the themes of sacrifice and renewal.

The Machinery of Control

The Nomarch, the Sappers, and the iunctii are not just plot elements, but embodiments of the story's central questions: who controls whom, and at what cost? The machinery of control is both literal and metaphorical, shaping the lives of individuals and the fate of worlds. The device is used to explore the ethics of rebellion, the dangers of dehumanization, and the hope that even the most entrenched systems can be broken—if only at great cost.

Analysis

The Strength of the Few is a sweeping epic that interrogates the nature of leadership, the ethics of survival, and the cost of change. At its heart is the question: what are we willing to sacrifice for a better world, and who gets to decide what "better" means? The story refuses easy answers, instead presenting a world where every victory is paid for in blood and every act of heroism is shadowed by guilt. The parallel worlds and fractured identities serve as a metaphor for the choices we make and the selves we leave behind, while the machinery of Will and control is a powerful allegory for the systems—political, social, and psychological—that shape our lives. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to flinch from the darkness, even as it insists on the possibility of hope. In the end, it is not the strength of the few, but the resilience of the many—the bonds of love, friendship, and community—that offers the chance for healing and renewal. The lesson is clear: true power lies not in domination, but in the willingness to bear the burdens of others, to choose hope in the face of despair, and to believe that, together, even the broken can begin to heal.

Last updated: November 24, 2025