Chapter 44

Lyrebird reflects on S látra's traumatic journey across the Boltanic Plains to Dhomm, where the Moonplume was severely burned and blinded by the sun. Now sheltered in a hutch near the Imperial Stronghold under heavy guard, Lyrebird grapples with guilt over S látra's suffering and her inability to return home.

Lyrebird recounts the horrific experience of riding a Moltenmaw across the Boltanic Plains while S látra flew alongside, desperately seeking shelter from the sun's rays. The rider refused her pleas for aid, and S látra's silver flesh burned and burst as she flew on despite her injuries, eventually losing the ability to maintain flight and crashing to the ground. Blinded by staring into the sun while crying out in pain, S látra crawled across the dunes making sounds Lyrebird fears she will never forget. Once they reached the safety of Dhomm and a hutch near the Imperial Stronghold, S látra cradled Lyrebird close, her heart barely functioning but driven by her desire not to leave Lyrebird alone. King Ostern permitted Lyrebird to sleep in the hutch with heavy guards stationed at its entrance. Lyrebird feels trapped: since donning the Aether Stone, she can no longer summon clouds long enough to escort S látra back across the plains, leaving her stranded in this hot, humid place while her kingdom is governed by an unchosen male ruler. Lyrebird is consumed by guilt and self-recrimination for ever climbing onto S látra's back and riding her to this fate.