Annotated 12-4
Well, I thought Phil had taken over the chapter titles at this point, but this feels like one of mine. I wish it were Phil’s, because it’s not that great. It’s mostly inspired by the number of fresh interactions we see in this chapter (new and old Peacemakers, Harky and his generals, the various Heads of Houses), but since this chapter shows forces aligning behind the real war, I think it’d do better to allude to the moment before gameplay really begins.
It’s a nice layer at the end here that Syr’Nj is “taking Bandit into her confidence” just after lying to her, and Bandit takes that olive branch even though (as the next chapter shows) she’s very much aware that Syr’Nj isn’t telling her everything.
I don’t think she and Syr’Nj are faking anything in the last couple of panels, though: they’re just enjoying a moment of friendship and choosing to put aside the things that might complicate it. There’s real warmth here. In this moment.
