River Secrets
The first edition cover of River Secrets.
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| Author | Shannon Hale |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Books of Bayern |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Press |
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Publication date
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September 5, 2006 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 290 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 62804636 |
| LC Class | PZ8.H134 Riv 2006 |
| Preceded by | Enna Burning |
| Followed by | Forest Born |
River Secrets is a fantasy novel by Shannon Hale. It is the third book in the Books of Bayern series.
The story begins as the main character, Razo, watches a meeting. The king and queen of Bayern speak with a Tiran ambassador and agree they should exchange ambassadors to promote peace between the two countries. After the reception, Razo is chosen among other soldiers from Bayern's Own to join the ambassador in Ingridan, the Capital of Tira. Razo experiences self-doubt and believes their captain only chose him because of his participation in the war against Tira.
In winter, the ambassador, Lady Megina, and twenty of Bayern's Own leave for Tira. On the way, Razo finds a burned body hidden in the trees near a river. After talking with Captain Talone, they guess Enna might be burning again—either that, or the burner might be from Tira, because the body was placed where it could be easily seen by the Tiran escort group led by Captain Ledel. When the party arrives at Ingridan, they are taken to Thousand Year's Palace, where they are introduced to Lord Belvan and Lady Dasha, their host and hostess.
Razo finds more burned bodies and still does not know who the burner is. After being beat up by one of Ledel's soldiers, Tumas, he goes to his Talone requesting to be sent home. Talone rejects his plea, and asks him a series of questions. After Razo answers them all correctly, Talone tells Razo he has excellent observation skills, and gives him the job of spying to find the murderer. Razo proceeds to watch and spy on everyone. A week passes, and the Tiran party challenges Bayern's Own to a mock sword fight. Razo is humiliated with defeat, and the Tiran soldiers mock him. Then Finn speaks up and tells them to challenge Razo with a long-ranged weapon, his sling to their spears. Razo hits every target and discovers that he is the best sling Bayern had.
Summer approaches, and the Tiran soldiers and all the nobles leave for the coolness of the country. Razo goes out to buy shoes and meets the prince of Tira. The prince tells him that he has no true power, except the power of the people's opinion. Razo spends most of the summer with the prince. They dye their white Tiran robes rich and deep colors typical of Bayern fashion, which begins a cross-cultural trend in the city.
Soon after Ledel's cohort returns from their summer assignment outside the city, Razo discovers a map and overhears a discussion that leads him to believe Ledel was behind the burning. Razo and Dasha go to the burner's warehouse but are captured. They fight back and are nearly killed - although Razo kills Tumas with his sling - until Enna and Finn, tipped off by Conrad, arrive. Enna and Dasha, whom Razo discovered had the gift of water-speaking, fight the newly-taught Tiran burners while Finn and Ledel duel. The Bayern and Dasha win, and the whole story - of Ledel attempting to teach fire-speaking to soldiers in order to spark another war, only for each to die when the fire overwhelms them - comes out.
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