With Dagger and Song Summary, Characters and Themes
With Dagger and Song by Helen Scheuerer is a compelling fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of magic, mystery, and deep emotional struggles. The story follows Rohesia, a young woman born into a complex and often dangerous world, as she navigates her tumultuous journey to uncover hidden truths about her past, while also facing the challenges of leadership and the harsh realities of her heritage.
The book explores themes of betrayal, power, and personal growth, as Rohesia must make difficult decisions that will shape her future. With a rich blend of adventure and emotional depth, this tale keeps readers hooked from start to finish. It’s the 2nd book in the Curse of the Cyren Queen series by the author.
Summary
With Dagger and Song is set in a world where ancient magic, political intrigue, and personal struggles are interwoven. Rohesia is at the center of a quest that will determine not only her future but the fate of her people.
Raised in the cyren territories, she is marked by a legacy she does not fully understand, a legacy that includes a connection to a mysterious dagger and a powerful history tied to her mother, Cerys.
Cerys has been imprisoned for centuries, her body held captive in a cell surrounded by moss-covered bone bars. The only solace she finds is in the symbols she carves into the walls of her cell, many of them masks, representing her isolation and connection to a long-forgotten past.
Five years have passed since she last saw her daughter, Rohesia, and the anguish of being separated from her is unbearable. However, Cerys holds on to a plan she created long ago, unsure whether it will ever come to fruition.
Meanwhile, Rohesia embarks on a journey with a small group of companions, including Finn Haertel, a highborn cyren who Rohesia dislikes; Odi, a human whom she feels responsible for; and Harlyn, a friend with whom she has strained relationships. Their mission takes them along a desolate coast towards the Five Daughters, a landmark on their way to uncover the birthstones of Saddoriel.
Rohesia is weighed down by the responsibilities of leadership and the emotional distance between her and her companions. The journey is arduous, filled with both physical and emotional strain, as tensions rise within the group and her doubts about her abilities grow.
As they approach their destination, the group is ambushed by mysterious attackers, who are human-like but carry cyren talismans. These assailants capture the group and take them to a settlement, where they demand answers from Rohesia regarding a powerful quartz dagger that holds significant meaning to her mother.
The discovery of the dagger sends a wave of fear through Rohesia, as it was something Cerys had warned her about. The presence of the dagger forces Rohesia to confront her past and the complex web of relationships that bind her to the unknown enemy.
The leader of the attackers, Deodan, a water warlock, claims the dagger as an artifact vital to his clan. As Rohesia and her companions are freed and given food and shelter, the mystery surrounding the dagger deepens.
Deodan reveals that he knows much about Rohesia’s history, including her lack of a deathsong, a peculiar trait for someone of her kind. Despite her reservations, Rohesia reluctantly accepts Deodan’s help, recognizing that they need his knowledge and protection as they continue their journey to Akoris.
As they travel, the group’s discomfort grows, especially with the weight of the secret Rohesia is carrying—an egg from a sea-drake nest that could bring even more danger if discovered. Deodan’s powers and his warlock skills continue to fascinate and unsettle the group, and tensions rise further as they navigate the journey’s physical and emotional obstacles.
Despite these challenges, Rohesia remains determined to succeed in her mission, even as the shadow of warlocks and the looming threat of drakes follow them.
Upon reaching Akoris, Rohesia uncovers unsettling truths about the city and its rulers. She learns about the Arch General, Adriel, and the manipulative nature of those in power.
Her quest to retrieve the birthstones takes a dark turn as she discovers a ritual known as the Rite of Strothos, which she must undergo to obtain one of the stones. Rohesia’s journey becomes more dangerous as she confronts her own fears and the oppressive legacy of her cyren heritage.
The Rite of Strothos is a public ceremony, where Rohesia must face a series of challenges in front of the Akorian people. Despite her doubts and fears, she is resolute in proving her worth and claiming the Mercy’s Topaz, a gemstone vital to her mission.
As she completes the ritual, Rohesia faces her greatest test yet—a challenge that forces her to outwit her rival, Orson, in a battle of riddles. The competition is intense, and while Rohesia struggles under the pressure, she finds the strength to persevere, ultimately securing her victory.
The emotional cost of her success, however, is steep, as Orson is banished, and their friendship is shattered.
With the birthstone in hand, Rohesia and her companions set off once more, but their path is far from safe. Deodan, who has betrayed them in the past, returns with an offer of assistance.
Despite her lingering mistrust, Rohesia understands that they may need his help as they face the threat of warlocks and the terror tempests. Deodan’s revelation about the warlocks’ plans adds another layer of urgency to their journey, and Rohesia is faced with the difficult decision of whether to trust him.
As the group moves forward, Rohesia reflects on how far she has come. No longer the uncertain young woman she once was, she has embraced her role as a leader, accepting the weight of her choices and the sacrifices they entail.
The journey ahead will not be easy, but Rohesia is determined to protect her people and secure a future for Saddoriel, knowing that only through unity and determination can she overcome the challenges that await.
Characters
Cerys
Cerys is a deeply tragic figure in With Dagger and Song, whose existence is defined by her prolonged imprisonment. She has spent centuries isolated in a cell, separated from the outside world, with the only thing grounding her to life being her plan for eventual escape.
Her despair is evident in her routine of carving symbols into the walls, a futile attempt to stave off the mental and emotional toll of time. Her overwhelming sense of loss is amplified by the absence of her daughter, Rohesia, whom she hasn’t seen in five years.
The emotional weight Cerys carries is compounded by the painful realization that her daughter is now a cyren, marked by a circlet, which symbolizes her shameful status. Cerys’s interaction with Rohesia reveals her deep maternal love and regret, as she sees a daughter she hardly knows yet still fiercely longs to protect.
Her connection to Rohesia and the larger quest involving Saddoriel shapes her every thought, but whether she can achieve the freedom she yearns for remains uncertain.
Rohesia
Rohesia is the protagonist of With Dagger and Song, and her character is a study of growth under intense pressure. Initially, Roh is burdened by the immense responsibilities she must shoulder, as she leads a diverse group of companions through perilous landscapes.
She is physically weary from the journey and emotionally strained by the tensions within the group, particularly with Finn, whom she dislikes, and the weight of the quest for Saddoriel’s birthstones. Despite her sense of isolation and self-doubt, Roh gradually finds strength in her leadership, learning to assert her authority and make difficult decisions for the sake of her companions.
The revelation of her connection to the cyren heritage and the dark history surrounding her people forces her to confront her own beliefs and understand the true cost of her destiny. Roh’s internal conflict is a central theme of the book as she navigates the complexities of her identity, duty, and the sacrifices required to secure her future as a leader.
Her journey from uncertainty to determination mirrors the physical and emotional challenges she faces throughout the narrative.
Deodan
Deodan is a pivotal character who adds both mystery and danger to the story. As a warlock connected to the mysterious and secretive water warlocks, he presents an intriguing mix of power, knowledge, and hidden agendas.
His initial appearance in the story casts him as an antagonist of sorts, particularly when he holds Rohesia captive and demands answers about the quartz dagger, an object linked to her mother and her past. However, as the narrative unfolds, Deodan’s character becomes more complex.
While his motivations remain unclear, his actions suggest a more nuanced position. He offers the group his knowledge of magic and warlocks in exchange for their cooperation, and though Roh remains distrustful, it becomes clear that his expertise is crucial for their survival.
His display of warlock abilities, such as healing a sick infant, causes Roh and the others to reconsider their assessment of him. Despite his earlier betrayal, Deodan’s character develops into a more sympathetic figure, and his eventual apology signals the potential for redemption.
Deodan’s relationship with Roh is characterized by both tension and uneasy cooperation, and his actions will continue to shape the course of their journey.
Finn Haertel
Finn Haertel, a highborn cyren, is an essential but often divisive character in the group. Rohesia’s complicated relationship with Finn defines much of her struggle with leadership and loyalty.
His aristocratic background and his attitude toward the mission often place him at odds with Rohesia, particularly as she struggles with the responsibility of leading people she finds difficult to trust. His privileged position creates tension, especially when his presence is questioned by Rohesia, who feels uncertain about his role in the group.
Despite this, Finn’s loyalty to the mission is unwavering, and as the story progresses, his skills and knowledge become invaluable. Finn’s character arc involves reconciling his pride and position within the cyren society with the necessity of working with individuals outside of his class.
His interactions with Rohesia are charged with unresolved conflict, but through their shared experiences, Finn slowly comes to respect her leadership, even if he doesn’t always agree with her decisions.
Harlyn
Harlyn, Rohesia’s friend and fellow traveler, is another key figure in With Dagger and Song whose journey involves grappling with personal and relational struggles. While Harlyn is not as deeply enmeshed in the complex political and magical elements of the story as some of the other characters, their role in supporting Rohesia and providing emotional stability is crucial.
Harlyn is a voice of reason when tensions run high, offering comfort and counsel to Rohesia during her moments of self-doubt and fear. Harlyn’s friendship with Rohesia is marked by both shared history and unspoken pain, particularly as Rohesia realizes how much she has hurt the people closest to her.
Harlyn’s support is vital during Rohesia’s trials, and though they are also subjected to the harsh circumstances of the journey, Harlyn remains a stabilizing force, offering counsel, help, and comfort when it’s most needed.
Odi
Odi, a human companion, brings a grounded perspective to the otherwise intense and supernatural world of With Dagger and Song. While he is the only human in the group, and thus an outsider in many ways, his presence offers a unique contrast to the cyren and warlock characters.
Despite his perceived lower status, Odi proves to be incredibly resourceful, and his growing trust with Rohesia is a key element in the story. His support during difficult moments, especially in combat situations, highlights his evolving role as a valuable member of the group.
While Odi’s character is not as deeply explored as others, his loyalty and humanity offer a much-needed balance in a world fraught with magical powers, political intrigue, and dangerous quests. His relationship with Rohesia, built on mutual respect and shared challenges, deepens over time, showcasing the strength of their bond.
Orson
Orson’s character in With Dagger and Song is complex and marked by a sense of betrayal and heartbreak. Once a close friend to Rohesia, their relationship deteriorates over the course of the story, culminating in a public confrontation.
Orson’s bitterness toward Rohesia stems from a feeling of being underestimated and abandoned, and her anger drives her to challenge Rohesia’s authority and decisions. This emotional rift is painful for both characters, particularly for Rohesia, who feels the weight of the broken friendship.
Orson’s decision to oppose Rohesia in a traditional cyren competition marks a turning point in their relationship, symbolizing the deep divide between them. Despite Orson’s harsh words and her refusal to back down, Rohesia’s victory in the challenge is bittersweet, as it comes at the cost of their friendship.
Orson’s future remains uncertain, but her role as a once-loyal companion turned adversary serves as a reminder of the personal sacrifices Rohesia must make in her quest for power.
Themes
Power and Authority
In With Dagger and Song, the exploration of power and authority emerges as a central theme, particularly through the character of Rohesia. She begins her journey as a young leader struggling with her responsibilities, surrounded by companions with varying levels of trust and loyalty.
This dynamic reflects the complex nature of leadership, where one’s authority is often challenged by both external threats and internal doubts. Roh’s journey through the Rite of Strothos represents her rite of passage into power, not only as a leader of her group but also as someone who will eventually ascend to the throne.
The Rite, a public test of her worthiness, shows the tension between her personal desire to fulfill her duties and the external pressures placed upon her by society and tradition. She must constantly balance her own fears and insecurities with the expectations placed on her by her people and those who seek to manipulate her, such as the Arch General Adriel.
The theme of authority also touches on the manipulation Roh faces, especially in her relationship with figures like Adriel and Deodan, where power dynamics are consistently shifting, and trust becomes an ever-valuable commodity. Roh’s decisions, both in battle and leadership, highlight the struggle of holding power while also remaining humane and true to oneself, as she is forced to make sacrifices that sometimes contradict her moral compass.
Family and Heritage
Family and heritage play significant roles in shaping the identities and destinies of the characters in With Dagger and Song. For Rohesia, her connection to her mother, Cerys, is a recurring emotional anchor throughout the story.
Despite being separated for much of her life, the presence of Cerys’s symbols and the mysterious quartz dagger connect them across time and space. Cerys’s absence leaves a gaping hole in Roh’s life, one that is only deepened as she uncovers truths about her mother’s past, which intertwines with the complex politics and magic surrounding the water warlocks.
Roh’s relationship with her heritage, particularly her cyren roots, is complicated by the realization that the practices of her people—especially those surrounding the cyren queen and the brutal rituals—are not aligned with the moral ideals she holds dear. The theme of family heritage is further explored through the conflicting legacies of power.
Roh’s decision to embrace her heritage and undergo the Rite of Strothos is not just about claiming power but about understanding the lineage that comes with it. She is forced to reconcile the darker aspects of her people’s history with her own sense of identity.
The strain between personal morality and familial duty is central, as Roh must navigate the expectations placed on her as a daughter of Cerys and the heir to a dangerous legacy.
Trust and Betrayal
With Dagger and Song also delves deeply into the theme of trust and betrayal, examining how these dynamics shape the relationships between characters. Rohesia’s bond with her companions is tested numerous times, particularly as they face challenges on their journey to Akoris.
Roh’s initial trust in Deodan, despite his mysterious and sometimes manipulative nature, is crucial for their survival. However, the precariousness of their alliance becomes evident when Deodan betrays them.
This betrayal shakes Roh’s faith in her ability to judge the intentions of others and forces her to confront the complexities of alliances in a world full of conflicting goals and motives. The tension between trusting others and protecting oneself is a recurring struggle, especially as Roh faces difficult choices that often come with painful consequences.
The rift between Roh and Orson, a former friend turned adversary, underscores the personal pain betrayal causes. Orson’s accusations and rejection highlight the emotional toll of broken trust, particularly when it involves close relationships.
Ultimately, the theme of betrayal is not just about external conflicts but also about internal struggles with loyalty, self-doubt, and the cost of leadership. Roh’s development as a leader is marked by her growing understanding that trust, once broken, can be nearly impossible to repair, and that the weight of leadership often involves making decisions that alienate those she once cared about.
Sacrifice and Duty
The theme of sacrifice is explored throughout With Dagger and Song, particularly through Rohesia’s personal journey. Her determination to fulfill her duty as the future ruler of Saddoriel is tested repeatedly, whether it’s through the difficult ritual of Strothos or her role in protecting her people.
Roh is constantly confronted with the need to sacrifice her own desires, safety, and sometimes her relationships for the greater good. Her decision to proceed with the Rite of Strothos, despite the dangers and emotional vulnerability involved, is a prime example of her willingness to risk everything for her duty.
This sense of duty extends beyond personal ambition; it reflects a larger responsibility to her people and the future of Saddoriel. The sacrifices Roh faces are not solely physical but emotional, as she grapples with the pain of losing friends like Orson and the growing burden of leadership.
The sacrifices her companions make also reflect the theme, as they support Roh in her mission despite their own fears and uncertainties. The ongoing tensions in the group, such as the friction between Finn and Deodan, illustrate that sacrifice in the context of duty often involves conflict and compromise.
Through these experiences, Roh begins to understand the true nature of leadership: it is not just about commanding others, but about the personal sacrifices that are required to protect and guide those who depend on her.
Identity and Self-Discovery
In With Dagger and Song, the theme of identity and self-discovery is intricately woven into the journey of the characters, particularly Rohesia. At the start of her adventure, Roh struggles with her identity as a leader, unsure of her abilities and unsure of the path that lies ahead.
She begins her journey as someone disconnected from her heritage, unable to fully grasp the significance of her past. Her exploration of her cyren roots, particularly her heritage linked to Cerys and the cyren queen, forces her to reckon with who she is and what she is capable of becoming.
Throughout the narrative, Roh grapples with self-doubt and the conflicting desires to honor her heritage while challenging the oppressive systems tied to it. Her growing awareness of her heritage, including the darker aspects of the cyren past, forces her to redefine herself not as a passive participant in the history of her people but as an active force for change.
Her encounters with figures like Deodan and Adriel further complicate this journey of self-discovery, as they force her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself, her past, and her future. The process of self-discovery is slow and often painful, marked by moments of uncertainty and introspection.
Yet by the end of the story, Roh begins to accept her role as a leader, understanding that identity is not fixed but something that is continually shaped by her choices, relationships, and experiences. This theme speaks to the universal human experience of trying to make sense of one’s place in a larger world, and how embracing one’s true self often requires confronting difficult truths.