“ | Show us magic, Bayaz, or show us the key! | ” |
An Ideal Audience is the thirty-fifth chapter in The Blade Itself.
Chapter Summary[]
Inquisitor Glokta meets with Arch Lector Sult to update him on his investigation of Bayaz. Recounting the night-time disturbance in the Magus’ room, his conversation with the man himself, the addition of a Navigator to his contingent, and the corpse found outside Bayaz’ rooms, the Arch Lector is thoroughly unimpressed with his work. It isn’t until Glokta hands him the scroll and explains Bayaz’ knowledge of the House of the Maker, that Sult sees an opportunity to discredit the supposed Magus at Jezal dan Luthar’s victory banquet.
At the banquet, Logen Ninefingers struggles to fit in with a formal Union dinner, unaccustomed with utensils or even plates. Sensing his discomfort, his neighbour, Major West, strikes up a conversation about Bethod and the tactics of the Northern army.1
Meanwhile, Jezal pouts that no one seems to be nearly as impressed with him as they ought to be. Instead the table is rife with rumours of discord amongst the peasants, roused by a man named the Tanner.2
Elsewhere in the banquet, Glokta observes it all, with loathing for the arrogant young champion. After a toast by Lord Chamberlain Hoff, entertainment is put on by one of Adua’s finest actors, Iosiv Lestek. The play depicts the death of Juvens and the subsequent war between Kanedias, and Bayaz and the Magi.
As the play concludes, the Arch Lector first asks why Bayaz has been away from the Union for so long. Bayaz admits that he was in the guise of various powerful former advisors. Next, Sult challenges Bayaz directly to prove his identity by performing magic or producing the key to the House of the Maker. Refusing to perform magic, Bayaz casually removes a key from under his robe, and promises to open the ever closed House tomorrow. Glokta and Jezal are chosen to accompany him. Then, without disturbing anyone’s food, he uses his Art to makes Sult’s chair collapse beneath him.
Characters[]
Locations and Terms[]
Adua | The Union | Order of the Magi | Order of Navigators | House of the Maker | High Art |
References[]
- Logen's warnings of Bethod's methods--"Look for him most where you would expect him least."--foreshadow Bethod's unexpected route into Ladisla's command in the second book.
- It's impressive how well planned out the series is. The Tanner gets a little mention here, but doesn't play a part until the last book.