Chapter 61: Darrow: The Three Masters

Summary

• Darrow and Diomedes are put in a cell, where they encounter Cassius, who has been captured as well and has injuries from his captors.
• Cassius jokes about their predicament, while Darrow and Diomedes express different degrees of pessimism about their situation.
• Their interactions reveal they are all skilled fighters, and Cassius teases them about having never seen each other in combat.
• Cassius maintains a cheerful demeanor in the face of death, while Diomedes criticizes Darrow for actions he believes compromised his honor.
• Darrow reflects on a message he intended for Pax, holding a key that is not meant to open their cell.
• As they discuss their predicament, Diomedes reveals that he unwittingly transferred control of a weapon, the Cestus, to an imposter he believes was his uncle, Atlas au Raa, whom he suspects is behind the destruction of their armada.
• Diomedes accuses Atlas of being the mastermind behind the Obsidians, working to instigate war and chaos for power and control within the Rim.
• Darrow becomes alarmed by the possibility that Atlas is nearby, orchestrating the current events from Ilium.
• The conversation turns to Lysander Lune and his fleet, who are expected to arrive and potentially be seen as heroes because of the chaos created by Atlas.
• Cassius defends Lysander's character, recalling his past actions and fond moments, but Darrow expresses skepticism about Lysander's innocence and intentions.
• Diomedes interrupts to insist that Lysander is not part of Atlas's plot, having witnessed his genuine surprise during the ambush.
• There is uncertainty about Lysander's fate, as Diomedes recalls being saved from the attack by someone who might have been Lysander.
• They speculate about how Lysander could have moved to save Diomedes if he had been paralyzed by toxins, concluding that a toxin leech from Diomedes's mother might have neutralized the effects.
• Diomedes reflects on Lysander's character, providing Cassius some comfort amidst his grief and guilt over their frayed relationship.
• Darrow, feeling compassion for Cassius despite his own feelings toward Lysander, decides to remain silent and hopes Diomedes's positive opinion of Lysander is accurate.