Red Seas Under Red Skies
Chapters - Scott Lynch
Prologue: A Strained Conversation
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen stand on a pier in Tal Verrar with crossbows aimed at two assailants, creating a tense four-way standoff. The burning galleon behind them lights up the night as the men negotiate. In a shocking twist, Jean turns his crossbow on Locke, revealing he has cut a deal with their opponents' employer, and demands Locke surrender his weapon.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen
Book 1: Cards In The Hand
Chapter 1: Little Games
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, posing as Leocanto Kosta and Jerome de Ferra, play Carousel Hazard at the Sinspire against Madam Durenna and Madam Corvaleur. They have secretly dusted the cards with a sleeping powder that Corvaleur ingests through her habit of licking her fingers, winning a thousand solari when she passes out. Leaving the Sinspire, they witness a fatal crossbow duel on the duelling green. In the Night Market, merchants controlled by the Bondsmagi surround them, delivering a chilling warning that they will face retribution for what they did to the The Falconer of Karthain.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Requin, Jean Tannen, Maracosa Durenna, Izmila Corvaleur, Selendri·Mentioned: The Falconer
Section: Reminiscence: The Capa of Val Virazzo
In a flashback to nearly two years earlier, Locke Lamora arrives in Vel Virazzo badly wounded and suicidal after the events in Camorr, with Jean Tannen struggling to keep him alive. They establish themselves there, with Jean finding work among the local criminal underworld called the Brass Coves. Over time Locke slowly recovers, and the two begin rebuilding their skills and resources in the small port city, eventually plotting their next big scheme.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen
Chapter 2: Requin
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen visit the Sinspire the following evening to push their way toward a meeting with Requin. Selendri escorts them to Requin's ninth-floor office, where the casino master questions them about their intentions and tests their nerve. Requin reveals he knows they are cheaters but is intrigued by their audacity. Meanwhile, Locke and Jean are ambushed in the streets by a mysterious woman and her armed escort, who hood them and transport them to the Mon Magisteria, where Archon Stragos reveals he has been watching them and has his own plans for the pair.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Stragos, Jean Tannen, Requin, Selendri
Section: Reminiscence: Best-Laid Plans
In flashback, Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen ride a carriage toward Tal Verrar, with Locke practising card manipulation with his injured hand. Jean reviews his research notes on Requin, the master of the Sinspire, learning about his rise from a street thief to controller of Tal Verrar's underworld. They discuss their plan to con Requin and establish their cover identities as merchants from Talisham.
POV: Jean Tannen·On page: Locke Lamora·Mentioned: Requin
Chapter 3: Warm Hospitality
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen are brought before Archon Stragos at the Mon Magisteria, his fortified palace protected by waterfalls and faceless bronze-masked soldiers called the Eyes of the Archon. Stragos reveals he knows their true identities and has had them poisoned with a slow-acting substance, forcing them to cooperate with his scheme. He wants them to go to sea as fake pirates to provoke a crisis that will let him seize more power from the Priori council. The thieves are trapped between Stragos's coercion and their own Sinspire scheme against Requin.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Stragos, Merrain
Section: Reminiscence: The Lady of the Glass Pylon
In flashback, Jean Tannen visits Azura Gallardine, a brilliant artificer in Tal Verrar, to commission special mechanical devices needed for their Sinspire scheme. Meanwhile, Locke Lamora and Jean continue building their cover identities over months in the city. The chapter reveals the slow, patient groundwork of their long con, establishing relationships and social standing among Tal Verrar's elite.
POV: Jean Tannen·Mentioned: Locke Lamora
Chapter 4: Blind Alliances
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen visit Pale Therese, a consulting poisoner, to learn about the substance Stragos may have used on them, but she cannot identify it or offer a cure. They continue their balancing act between Stragos's demands and their Sinspire scheme. Locke grows increasingly anxious about the possible poison in their systems, while they must also deal with the threat of assassins sent by unknown parties.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Zamira Drakasha, Jean Tannen·Mentioned: Stragos
Section: Reminiscence: The Amusement War
In flashback, Locke Lamora travels alone to Salon Corbeau, a resort estate ruled by Countess Saljesca, where he witnesses the Amusement War - a gladiatorial spectacle where destitute people fight for the entertainment of the wealthy. Disgusted but maintaining his cover as Mordavi Fehrwight, Locke commissions a set of specially crafted chairs from the Baumondain family of artisans. He endures the cruelty of Salon Corbeau while completing his business, then departs with the chairs that are key components of his scheme against Requin.
POV: Locke Lamora·Mentioned: Jean Tannen, Requin
Chapter 5: On A Clockwork River
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen return to the Mon Magisteria where Stragos advances his scheme, providing them with a ship called the Red Messenger and a sailing master named Caldris to teach them seamanship. Merrain, Stragos's agent, observes their progress and reports back. The Archon forces them to drink what he claims is a temporary antidote to the poison, keeping them on a short leash. Locke and Jean practise sailing while plotting how to eventually turn the tables on Stragos.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Stragos, Merrain, Caldris, Lyonis Cordo, Azura Gallardine
Section: Last Reminiscence: By Their Own Rope
In the final flashback, Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen practise rope-climbing and rappelling at a clifftop near Vo Sarmara, preparing for their Sinspire heist. They are attacked by a would-be robber named Trav, whom they easily overpower. Meanwhile, Stragos and Merrain discuss their manipulation of the two thieves, with Merrain hinting that the consequences of the plan will mean unprecedented bloodshed. Stragos reveals Merrain reports to mysterious masters of her own.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Stragos, Merrain·Mentioned: Calo Sanza, Galdo Sanza, Bug
Chapter 6: Balance of Trades
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen deal with the aftermath of an assassination attempt at the docks and suspect multiple parties may want them dead. Merrain summons them to the Mon Magisteria again, where Stragos pressures them to accelerate their piracy mission. The thieves continue juggling their obligations to both Stragos and their Sinspire scheme against Requin, while the threat of the Bondsmagi and unknown assassins looms over them.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Merrain·Mentioned: Stragos, Maracosa Durenna, Izmila Corvaleur, The Falconer
Chapter 7: Casting Loose
Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, now wearing Verrari naval captain uniforms, infiltrate the Windward Rock prison to recruit a crew for their forced piracy mission. They drug the guards and free dozens of prisoners, offering them a chance at freedom in exchange for service aboard the Red Messenger. Stragos has fabricated an entire history for Locke's alter ego Captain Orrin Ravelle. With their reluctant crew assembled, Locke and Jean set sail from Tal Verrar to begin their unwilling career as pirates.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Caldris·Mentioned: Stragos
Book 2: Cards Up The Sleeve
Chapter 8: Summer's End
At sea aboard the Red Messenger, Locke Lamora struggles to maintain authority as Captain Ravelle while a fierce storm batters the ship. The sailing master Caldris dies suddenly, leaving Locke and Jean Tannen without their only experienced navigator. The crew grows mutinous, blaming the lack of a ship's cat and the presence of women's clothing found aboard as bad omens. Jabril, one of the more experienced sailors, openly challenges Locke's competence as the storm intensifies.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Jabril·Mentioned: Caldris
Chapter 9: The Poison Orchid
The Red Messenger encounters the Poison Orchid, captained by Zamira Drakasha, a formidable pirate with an Elderglass armour vest. After a confrontation, Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen are stripped naked, thrown into the sea, then hauled aboard as prisoners. They meet Lieutenant Ezri Delmastro, Drakasha's fierce first mate. Locked in the bilge hold, they are eventually brought before Drakasha, who interrogates them about their identities and the Red Messenger's crew.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Zamira Drakasha, Ezri Delmastro, Mumchance, Treganne, Nasreen, Malakasti, Streva, Big Konar
Chapter 10: All Souls in Peril
Jean Tannen takes on menial labour aboard the Poison Orchid while he and Locke Lamora serve as low-ranking prisoners. Jean begins developing feelings for Lieutenant Delmastro as he works alongside her crew. The ex-Messengers are gradually integrated into the Orchid's operations. Jean and Locke navigate the complex social dynamics of the pirate ship, with Zamira Drakasha slowly testing whether they can be trusted.
POV: Jean Tannen·On page: Locke Lamora, Zamira Drakasha, Ezri Delmastro
Chapter 11: All Else, Truth
Zamira Drakasha holds a mock trial for the former Red Messenger crew, inducting willing members as full pirates. Locke Lamora confesses the truth about their situation to Drakasha - that they were coerced by the Archon of Tal Verrar, poisoned and forced to play at piracy to provoke a crisis. Jean Tannen and Ezri Delmastro's romantic relationship deepens. Locke and Jean reconcile after a heated argument about Jean's attachment to Delmastro and Locke's inability to move past his feelings for Sabetha.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Zamira Drakasha, Ezri Delmastro, Jabril, Utgar, Mumchance, Treganne, Aspel
Chapter 12: Port Prodigal
The Poison Orchid arrives at Port Prodigal, navigating the treacherous Parlour Passage where a mysterious sea presence tests the crew's resolve. Zamira Drakasha puts her children Paolo and Cosetta to sleep with milk of poppy to protect them. In port, Drakasha convenes a council of pirate captains including Jaffrim Rodanov, Strozzi, Colvard and Ranee to discuss the threat posed by the Archon of Tal Verrar. Drakasha proposes a united pirate fleet to raid Tal Verrar's shipping and force the city to negotiate.
POV: Locke Lamora·On page: Jean Tannen, Zamira Drakasha, Ezri Delmastro, Jaffrim Rodanov, Ydrena Koros, Pierro Strozzi, Ranee, Jacquelaine Colvard, Paolo Drakasha, Cosetta Drakasha