The Army’s Making

The Knife of Never Letting Go

The Mayor’s pursuit escalates from a search for Todd into a disciplined campaign to impose his authority on New World.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Order as a Weapon Order as a Weapon from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". Order as a Weapon Training the inner circle At the Mayor’s house, selected men repeat ordered chants and geometric exercises.

Order as a Weapon from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". Order as a Weapon Training the inner circle At the Mayor’s house, selected men repeat ordered chants and geometric exercises.

Order as a Weapon Training the inner circle At the Mayor’s house, selected men repeat ordered chants and geometric exercises. Their controlled Noise suggests that the Mayor is trying to turn thought into a tool of command. Preparation for expansion Todd senses that the drills are more than private discipline. Once the army moves, the ritualized order provides a contrast to the confusion of ordinary thought and a means of organizing obedience.

The Pursuit Begins The Pursuit Begins from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". The Pursuit Begins A clue reaches the ruler Davy Prentiss arrives at the farm with a rifle, claiming the Mayor wants to question Todd.

The Pursuit Begins from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". The Pursuit Begins A clue reaches the ruler Davy Prentiss arrives at the farm with a rifle, claiming the Mayor wants to question Todd.

The Pursuit Begins A clue reaches the ruler Davy Prentiss arrives at the farm with a rifle, claiming the Mayor wants to question Todd. Cillian knocks him down, but the visit confirms that the town has noticed Todd’s secret. From flight to hunt The farm explosion delays the pursuers, while Aaron catches Todd in the marsh. Todd realizes that the enemy is actively guiding the hunt rather than merely responding to a mysterious event.

A Bridge Bought With Fire A Bridge Bought With Fire from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". A Bridge Bought With Fire A failed escape route Todd cannot cut the resin-coated ropes of Hildy’s bridge as the Mayor’s riders approach.

A Bridge Bought With Fire from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". A Bridge Bought With Fire A failed escape route Todd cannot cut the resin-coated ropes of Hildy’s bridge as the Mayor’s riders approach.

A Bridge Bought With Fire A failed escape route Todd cannot cut the resin-coated ropes of Hildy’s bridge as the Mayor’s riders approach. Their speed makes capture seem inevitable. Viola’s improvised defense Viola breaks her Portable firebox and uses its fuel to ignite the bridge. The burning crossing buys time but reveals that the pursuers are willing to follow the fugitives far beyond Prentisstown.

Farbranch Under Attack Farbranch Under Attack from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". Farbranch Under Attack A larger force arrives Todd and Viola see the Mayor’s entire force overrun Farbranch, shooting civilians and driving the town into…

Farbranch Under Attack from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". Farbranch Under Attack A larger force arrives Todd and Viola see the Mayor’s entire force overrun Farbranch, shooting civilians and driving the town into…

Farbranch Under Attack A larger force arrives Todd and Viola see the Mayor’s entire force overrun Farbranch, shooting civilians and driving the town into retreat. The assault makes the army’s scale impossible to dismiss as rumor. Flight becomes complicity The refugees flee toward Haven, while Todd recognizes that their arrival helped bring the danger. He and Viola leave rather than risk drawing the army to another settlement.

The Capital Taken The Capital Taken from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". The Capital Taken A trap at the destination Todd expects Haven to provide help, but its streets have been emptied for the Mayor.

The Capital Taken from "The Knife of Never Letting Go". The Capital Taken A trap at the destination Todd expects Haven to provide help, but its streets have been emptied for the Mayor.

The Capital Taken A trap at the destination Todd expects Haven to provide help, but its streets have been emptied for the Mayor. The pursuing ruler arrives ahead of the main force by using another road and favorable surrender terms. Power renamed The Mayor announces himself as President and welcomes Todd to a new capital. He appears to suppress Noise, leaving Todd unable to hear the thoughts that once made every threat legible.

Before Todd’s thirteenth birthday

The day Todd escapes Prentisstown

During the first pursuit beyond the Swamp

The night Todd and Viola leave Farbranch

When Todd reaches Haven carrying the wounded Viola