Contents
96 East
Overview
Dumai and Nikeya arrive at Uramyesi with Furtia and allied dragons, drawn to the Western Gate where Kuposa pa Fotaja, corrupted by Taugran, enacts a sacrificial rite against the House of Noziken.
Taugran rises and devours Empress Suzumai, shattering the Dowager Empress. Wounded by an arrow but blazing with starlight, Dumai leaps after the wyrm; Furtia catches her, and the hunt begins.
Summary
Dumai flies with Furtia and seven dragons to Uramyesi, drawn by ominous fires at the Western Gate. Ash falls like snow as Dumai, sensing the comet’s nearness, gives the blue star-stone to Nikeya for safekeeping. Before a fearful crowd and gathered dragons, Dumai and Nikeya approach the gate.
Kuposa pa Fotaja, the River Lord—eyes turned grey from Taugran’s corruption—emerges and reveals Empress Suzumai bound to the shrine. He declares that the House of Noziken must be sacrificed to extinguish the dragons’ light and claims Taugran showed him this truth. He has gathered remaining Noziken kin to be devoured. Nikeya tries to reason with her father, offering to pursue another fire-wielder, but his resolve, and Taugran’s hold, prevail.
At Kuposa’s summons, Taugran the Golden rises from beyond the cliffs. In a single, brutal motion, the wyrm devours Suzumai. The Dowager Empress collapses into her daughter’s blood, unmoored by grief, while the crowd breaks in terror. Dumai, seized by white-hot purpose and detachment, charges past the River Lord despite an arrow striking her side, her starlight flaring.
Dumai leaps from the cliff after Taugran, accepting death if it will temper the fire. Before she can be dashed on the rocks, Furtia swoops beneath and bears her aloft. United in fury, Dumai and Furtia give chase into the night as the island’s gods seem to rise behind them.
Who Appears
- Dumai pa NozikenPrincess and starlight-wielder; gives the star-stone to Nikeya, confronts the River Lord, leaps after Taugran, and is caught by Furtia.
- Nikeya pa FotajaDumai’s pledged partner; receives the star-stone, confronts her corrupted father, and pleads for Suzumai’s life.
- Kuposa pa Fotaja (the River Lord)Nikeya’s father, corrupted by Taugran; orchestrates a sacrifice of the Noziken and summons Taugran at the Western Gate.
- FurtiaDragon ally; carries Dumai, loathes Taugran, and rescues Dumai mid-fall to pursue the wyrm.
- Empress SuzumaiDumai’s sister, bound at the gate; devoured by Taugran, triggering Dumai’s desperate pursuit.
- Dowager Empress of SeiikiMother of Dumai and Suzumai; collapses in grief in her daughter’s blood after the devouring.
- SipwoNikeya’s cousin; detained, begs Dumai to stop the River Lord’s rite.
- Taugran the GoldenAncient wyrm influencing the River Lord; rises at the gate and devours Suzumai.
- Pajati the WhiteDragon voice guiding Dumai; signals the fire’s rise and the star’s nearing power.