Chapter 64: Lysander: The Noble Lie

Summary

• Lysander has returned to his fleet on the shuttle Dustborn Thirty-Three after surviving a massacre at Kalyke disguised to look like a battered survivor.
• Rhone comments on the flagship Lightbringer's noble appearance, despite its damages and repairs.
• Lysander hides his mistrust of Rhone, who advises him to keep his ranks ignorant of the true situation.
• Upon arrival, Lysander is greeted by 33,000 Praetorians, and questions their loyalty between him, Rhone, and Atlas.
• Lysander's friend Cicero expresses relief at seeing Lysander alive, then updates him on the siege on Mars and Luna and concerns about Atalantia's potential attack.
• Lysander displays his staged wounds to incite Praetorians and rally various allies for the ongoing war, leveraging pride and resentment.
• He encounters skepticism from some allies about risking their forces in the conflict, which Lysander mitigates with appeals to boldness and the memory of shared values.
• Lysander confronts division among his allies, especially from Lady Bellona's delegate Pallas, but reassures them of their strategic advantage and receives their support.
• Lysander officially reclaims command over his fleet and gives an inspiring speech projecting the crimes of their enemy Volsung Fá, forging unity among his forces.
• After performance of duties, Lysander returns to his stateroom and interacts with Pytha, struggling with whether to share the full truth of his situation.
• He lies to Pytha about the details of his escape from Kalyke to preserve her view of him, despite feeling the need to confide in someone.
• Lysander is emotionally overwhelmed by the harsh realities of his experiences, finding solace in Pytha's comforting presence.