In Episode Two of Serial Box’s latest series, politics, world-building, and a party feature. Where episode one, Arrivals, opened the world and the set the stage, episode two, Fault Lines by Marie Brennan, deepens the world while ratcheting up the politicking. Episode two solidifies Born to the Blade as a fun series worth reading.

TL;DR

Fault Lines expands the world of Born to the Blade while furthering the political conflicts. Recommended.

This is the second episode in the first season of Born to the Blade, an eleven-episode serial from Serial Box. This episode is written by Marie Brennan.

After a sharp, violent start to their adventures on Twaa-Fei with the execution of the escaped Kakutan Golden Lord, Oda No Michiko and Kris Denn are settling into the tense life in the embassy that binds six nations in an uneasy peace. They are young and ambitious, and perhaps in over their heads. Michiko arrived to serve both her country and her empire, but the death of the Golden Lord has revealed him to be her grandfather, and his presence among the ancestors she communes with is overwhelming. As the Quloo warder Ojo Kante attempts to strengthen an alliance against the Mertikan empire, Michiko tries to suppress her grandfather and clumsily makes an effort to turn Kris away from the newly arrived — and unduly charming — Adechike and his uncle Ojo, who hopes to turn the young Rumikan into an ally. It … does not go as planned.

Story

There’s less violence in this episode but no less action. While there is a single duel, the politics and navigation of interpersonal relationships shine in this episode. The reader learns about the different societies and some of what differentiates them. Kris, through no action of their own, becomes a piece in the political game while still not being a player. Ojo, as in the first episode, stands out among the many characters. For now, the execution of the Golden Lord affects the story only slightly. Michiko wrestles with it, but how is it changing her allegiances to Mertika?

Writing

With episodes switching authors, how consistent is the writing style? Episode two maintains a cohesive style with the first while focusing on different parts of the overall story. This episode featured only one fight, and the whole story is better for it. Learning about the politics and societies make this a slower but satisfying episode. One particular bit of world building that shines is how the lift operators use pen knives in their sigil magic, and instead of treating magic with amazement and respect, the magic, to them, has become just another boring part of a repetitive job. That little bit deepens the world while being absolutely believable. In a world that relies on magic, not every spell or trick will be awe-inspiring. This bit drives interest in just how sigil magic works. Is it available to anyone? Is there a bored teenager somewhere using sigil magic to make Twaa-fei’s version of fast-food?

Conclusion

Episode 2 takes the story in a new, more measured direction that explores this interesting world. Between tea, the lifts, and the party, Fault Lines is a fun addition that shows Born to the Blade is more than just sword fights and magic.