That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon

 “‘For tomorrow, we have two things to celebrate. Freedom from the choosing…and freedom from Priscilla’s constant…Priscillaness.’

A mug slammed on the table, making us both jump. ‘Hell, I’ll drink to that!’ The source of our fright was the blacksmith, John. He was undoubtedly another victim to the princess of self-importance, as he had been tasked with making a suitable weapon for her journey. ‘If I ever get another request for a periwinkle sword that “can’t be too heavy, but not too frilly” again, I will retire on the spot!’ he hollered.”

These lines come from the festival celebrating the heroes party in Chapter 1, and they show the concept of the “chosen one” from the perspective of the onlookers. While the village celebrates Priscilla being chosen by Myva, they also recognize how, as the chosen one, Priscilla became unbearable, making demands such as the sword the blacksmith describes. Through the observations of the villagers, the novel sets up for the subversion of the chosen one trope and reveals the support system necessary for a chosen champion to perform the task for which they have been selected. This quote also subtly critiques performative heroism, showing how society often valorizes individuals based on image rather than substance.

“‘What coins? I don’t have coins. I should rob you! I’m a farmer, dickhead. Everyone in this area is a fucking farmer!’ Not exactly true; my family made nice money off of our cinnamon harvest. Primarily because we are the only ones who grow it…cause we won’t tell anyone else how to grow it. But hey, ya gotta make your own way in this world.”

Cinnamon says this to the fisherman’s son when he accosts her on her way home from the festival. The situation calls to the commonality of bandit attacks across fantasy literature, and Cinnamon’s response subverts this situation by having her call out the absurdity of the fisherman’s son. Cinnamon’s following thoughts reveal how her family has kept themselves relevant and important by closely guarding the secret to farming cinnamon. This also turns out to be