Summary

In the Interlude, which is told from the first person point of view of Hoa, Hoa describes himself as being powerful and feared among his kind. He explains that other stone eaters are slowly encroaching on the egg that is Castrima but that he has been killing the ones he considers enemies. These enemies have told Hoa about another ancient stone eater who would kill Essun if he could because Essun plans to finish what Alabaster started. Hoa insinuates that this stone eater has found allies up north to help him with his plan to make Essun destroy herself. Hoa closes the interlude with his hope that one day Essun will forgive him for what he has to do.

Chapter 14 returns to the second person point of view. One day, three hunters are killed topside in an ambush. When two hunters go...