Chapter 61

The protagonist surveys the devastated village of Rambek after slaying the dragon Blóm, offering aid to Chief Thron. Grihm then requests leave to journey to Gondragh to raid the nest of the Great Silver Sabersythe, seeking to break free from his emotional bondage to someone named Inkah. The protagonist agrees to transport him there.

The protagonist walks through Rambek with Chief Thron, observing the destruction wrought by dragonflame: charred homes, uprooted trees, dead colks, and ruined crops. Thron expresses gratitude for the protagonist's intervention, acknowledging the difficulty of ordering the death of his long-time companion dragon Blóm. The protagonist offers material aid—grain and produce—to help the village recover. Later, by the stone fence overlooking the surviving colk herd, Grihm requests leave of absence. He reveals he intends to travel to Gondragh to raid the nest of the Great Silver Sabersythe, who has recently laid three eggs. When the protagonist expresses shock and warns of the danger—noting his own near-fatal encounter with the creature when stealing one of her scales—Grihm remains resolute, explaining that being emotionally bound to the grave of someone named Inkah has taken a toll on him. The protagonist realizes Grihm has been planning this departure for some time, evidenced by his packed saddlebags. Though troubled, the protagonist agrees to transport Grihm to the hatching hut in Gondragh, acknowledging this will likely be their last meeting.