The second book follows Titus from the age of seven to seventeen. As the 77th earl and lord of Gormenghast, he dreads the life of pre-ordained ritual that stretches before him. His desire for freedom is awakened by the sight of his foster sister, known only as "The Thing", a feral child who lives in the woods of Gormenghast (due to her mother being banished as an outcast) and who terrorizes the Bright Carvers, the inhabitants of the mud dwellings outside the castle walls. Her life of wild freedom makes him realise that an existence is possible other than the rigid formalities and ritual of the castle. Meanwhile, Steerpike continues his rise to power by killing Barquentine, the Master of Ritual, and taking his place, but he is eventually unmasked as a traitor and murderer. The castle is flooded by a rainstorm, and in a watery duel with Titus, Steerpike is killed, leaving the way clear for Titus to reign. However, his desire to leave Gormenghast is now overwhelming, Titus flees the castle for the wider world beyond Gormenghast Mountain.
The second book follows Titus from the age of seven to seventeen As the 77th earl and lord of Gormenghast he dreads the life of pre-ordained ritual that stretches before him His desire for freedom is awakened by the sight of his foster sister known only as "The Thing" a feral child who lives in the woods of Gormenghast (due to her mother being banished as an outcast) and who terrorizes the Bright Carvers the inhabitants of the mud dwellings outside the castle walls Her life of wild freedom makes him realise that an existence is possible other than the rigid formalities and ritual of the castle Meanwhile Steerpike continues his rise to power by killing Barquentine the Master of Ritual and taking his place but he is eventually unmasked as a traitor and murderer The castle is flooded by a rainstorm and in a watery duel with Titus Steerpike is killed leaving the way clear for Titus to reign However his desire to leave Gormenghast is now overwhelming Titus flees the castle for the wider world beyond Gormenghast Mountain