Guin’s Return to Self

Pleasure

This flow traces Guin’s passage from self-condemning assassin to a man able to accept love, public responsibility, and a place at Malaya’s side.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Assassin’s Identity The Assassin’s Identity from "Pleasure". The Assassin’s Identity Life in the Clans Guin earns a reputation as a deadly assassin, carrying out violent work while believing he deserves little beyond his…

The Assassin’s Identity from "Pleasure". The Assassin’s Identity Life in the Clans Guin earns a reputation as a deadly assassin, carrying out violent work while believing he deserves little beyond his…

The Assassin’s Identity Life in the Clans Guin earns a reputation as a deadly assassin, carrying out violent work while believing he deserves little beyond his usefulness. Moral Isolation His past leaves him convinced that bloodshed is his defining truth, even after he begins to change.

The Failed Assignment The Failed Assignment from "Pleasure". The Failed Assignment Target and Witness Guin enters Malaya’s room intending to kill her, but her directness and compassion disrupt his resolve.

The Failed Assignment from "Pleasure". The Failed Assignment Target and Witness Guin enters Malaya’s room intending to kill her, but her directness and compassion disrupt his resolve.

The Failed Assignment Target and Witness Guin enters Malaya’s room intending to kill her, but her directness and compassion disrupt his resolve. A Turning Point Instead of completing the contract, he begins to imagine a life guided by the good she sees in him.

A Lifetime of Service A Lifetime of Service from "Pleasure". A Lifetime of Service Protection Guin becomes Malaya’s guard, placing her safety and happiness above his own ambitions.

A Lifetime of Service from "Pleasure". A Lifetime of Service Protection Guin becomes Malaya’s guard, placing her safety and happiness above his own ambitions.

A Lifetime of Service Protection Guin becomes Malaya’s guard, placing her safety and happiness above his own ambitions. Self-Denial He suppresses his love for decades because he fears it would compromise her freedom or burden her with his past.

Unworthy in His Own Eyes Unworthy in His Own Eyes from "Pleasure". Unworthy in His Own Eyes Misreading Her Choice Guin interprets Malaya’s acceptance of the political process as evidence that she will choose someone else.

Unworthy in His Own Eyes from "Pleasure". Unworthy in His Own Eyes Misreading Her Choice Guin interprets Malaya’s acceptance of the political process as evidence that she will choose someone else.

Unworthy in His Own Eyes Misreading Her Choice Guin interprets Malaya’s acceptance of the political process as evidence that she will choose someone else. Departure He leaves, persuaded that loving her without the right to be her husband will destroy him.

Accepted as Her Equal Accepted as Her Equal from "Pleasure". Accepted as Her Equal Confession Guin finally tells Malaya that he has loved her for fifty years and explains the shame behind his silence.

Accepted as Her Equal from "Pleasure". Accepted as Her Equal Confession Guin finally tells Malaya that he has loved her for fifty years and explains the shame behind his silence.

Accepted as Her Equal Confession Guin finally tells Malaya that he has loved her for fifty years and explains the shame behind his silence. New Standing Her public choice and the engagement announcement let him accept both a personal future and a political role he never thought he deserved.

Before Guin meets Malaya

Fifty years before the present

From the war years to the arranged-marriage crisis

After Malaya announces a Senate marriage compromise

Near the ending, after Malaya confesses her love