Chapter 53: Darrow: Eyes of Stone

Summary

• The Raa family compound has been desecrated by Fá's troops, who are suggested to be Ascomanni.
• Darrow samples the flesh around the wounds on dead Peerless knights to compare with the poisoned spines found earlier on Diomedes.
• Memories of past allies and thoughts of aging trouble Darrow as he waits in the grotto.
• Darrow observes Sevro's team securing a hidden long-range coms station.
• Diomedes mourns his murdered brothers in the Raa sanctum and informs Darrow that other family members are missing.
• Darrow offers the help of Cassius to search for the remaining Bunker kin.
• Diomedes and Darrow discuss the war, with Darrow insisting the goal should be peace with minimal loss, not just killing enemies.
• Darrow reveals his reasons for suspecting there is something larger behind the Obsidian Warlord Fá's actions against the Rim.
• Diomedes questions and reflects on Darrow's theories about unseen forces driving the conflict.
• Cassius radios in about encountering the enemy but is ordered not to engage.
• Despite orders, Cassius prepares to intervene upon seeing captive children.
• Darrow reluctantly agrees to help Cassius and requests Sevro's assistance, but Sevro refuses.
• Diomedes gives Darrow his parole and allows him to leave to assist Cassius while he goes to the perfumery.
• Darrow rushes out, contacting Lyria to provide aerial support with the ship Archimedes.