Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Maevyth awakens in a foreign realm, Aethyria, riding with the masked Zevander, who refuses to return her to her sister. He saves her from a bog predator and reveals the crossing through the Umbravale. After Maevyth recounts a wrathavor pursuit, Zevander brings her to a foreboding castle and puts her to sleep.
Summary
Maevyth regains consciousness on a jet-black horse, restrained by a towering, masked rider in a moonlit gorge of rotted trees and rock walls. Disoriented, she pleads to return to her sister. The rider’s blunt questions confirm she crossed an archway; he declares anyone left behind is dead, which Maevyth rejects.
When a blind, horned, toad-like predator tracks her mortal scent, the horse stands unflinching as the rider vanishes into smoke and impales the beast mid-leap with a black blade. The horse casually eats the carcass. Moonlight reveals the rider’s unusual orange-gold eyes; Maevyth recognizes him from an earlier encounter. He names himself Zevander and offers a stark choice: leave or be silent.
As they travel, Zevander gives Maevyth water from an ornate canteen. He identifies the realm as Aethyria beyond the Umbravale. Maevyth insists her sister lives and explains she crossed to escape a wrathavor-like creature that ripped Uncle Riftyn apart. Zevander remains curt, cautioning her survival was luck.
Near dawnless night, Zevander guides her up a mountain path to a dark, torch-lit castle that feels grim yet protective. At the threshold, he murmurs, “Ith’tu somninis profundiet,” and Maevyth’s vision narrows as sleep overtakes her, leaving her fate in Zevander’s hands.
Who Appears
- MaevythProtagonist; awakens in Aethyria on a stranger’s horse, pleads for her sister, recalls a wrathavor attack, succumbs to sleep.
- ZevanderMasked, towering captor-savior; kills a bog predator, reveals Aethyria, refuses return, leads Maevyth to a dark castle, induces sleep.
- Black HorseUnnervingly calm steed; growls and eats the slain bog creature, carrying Maevyth and Zevander through the swamp.
- Bog PredatorBlind, horned, toad-like beast drawn by Maevyth’s scent; charges and is slain by Zevander’s black blade.