Chapter 58

Veya discovers that Kaan is leaving for thirty cycles to hunt a rabid dragon that destroyed a village, while Elluin remains hidden somewhere in the Stronghold. Veya reveals her own plan to travel to Arithia to retrieve Elluin's diary, and hints at a dangerous secret about their father that could trigger Elluin's bloodlust.

Veya climbs the mountainside burrows with a packed satchel, restless from lack of sleep and intent on journeying to Arithia to find Elluin's diary. She reflects on her childhood trauma of witnessing her mother's dragon Jógo die mourning Mah years ago. Finding Kaan preparing Rygun for departure, she learns he is hunting a rabid Sabersythe named Blóm that destroyed a village. Kaan reveals he has given Elluin gold and that she is still somewhere in the Stronghold rather than fleeing. Veya expresses alarm that this makes Elluin vulnerable to the twins, who could use her against them and threaten their kingdom. When Kaan reveals his thirty-cycle absence, Veya argues he is abandoning his responsibilities. Kaan claims he is treading carefully as Elluin requested. Veya then announces her own departure to Arithia, claiming she needs Elluin's diary to understand her. When Kaan tries to prevent her from going alone, Veya lies about having removed her bangle and makes suggestive insinuations about her travels to repulse him into acceptance. As Kaan departs on Rygun, Veya realizes he will eventually have to tell Elluin a dangerous secret about their father that could trigger her bloodlust and drive her to revenge.