Contents
54 West
Overview
Wulf, Sauma, and Thrit reach the Inysh coast after a storm, where Wulf refuses to sail further. Traveling south, Wulf and Thrit discover a grounded Vatten longship filled with brutally afflicted corpses, confirming the plague has reached Inys. In Ascalun, Glorian endures an all-consuming city fire, orders Therico brought to secure the succession, and prays—moments before rain finally breaks.
Summary
Wulf sails toward Inys on the Wave Steed with Sauma and Thrit, haunted by survival and loss. At night, he and Thrit speak of plague, the Saint’s tale, and legends of Eastern dragons; Thrit shows an amulet, and Wulf warns him to hide it. A violent storm forces landfall at unknown cliffs, where they take shelter in a cave.
By morning, Wulf refuses to return to sea. Sauma continues by ship to Ascalun, while Wulf and Thrit trek south along the shore through the Fens, aiming to reach Wulf’s aunt, Baroness Shore. Following storm debris, they find a grounded Hróthi longship of Clan Vatten and, aboard, discover sailors dead with torn arms, blood to the elbow, and agony fixed on their faces—evidence the plague has reached the Inysh coast.
In Ascalun, Glorian shelters in the Queens’ Tower as a vast fire consumes ward after ward. She learns of bridge collapses, drownings, stampedes, and the loss of Bardholt’s skull, while Helisent reaches safety with Kell Bourn. Lady Gladwin and Lord Robart move to pull down buildings to halt the blaze, but Glorian, wracked with guilt and constrained as heir, is urged by Florell to remain hidden.
Fearing for her people and the line’s future, Glorian orders that Prince Therico be brought to Ascalun so she can secure an heir, resolving to wed and fight on. After a desperate prayer for deliverance, lightning splits the sky and rain finally falls over the city.
Who Appears
- Wulfert LenarSurvivor sailing to Inys; refuses more sea travel; discovers a Vatten longship full of plague-dead.
- ThritCompanion to Wulf; discusses dragons and faith; accompanies Wulf along the coast; witnesses the plague corpses.
- SaumaComrade on the Wave Steed; continues by ship to Ascalun while Wulf travels overland.
- Glorian BerethnetHeir of Inys trapped in a citywide fire; orders Therico brought to secure succession; prays as rain arrives.
- FlorellAdvisor who updates Glorian on the fire and urges her to stay hidden as heir.
- Lord Robart DurdinLord Protector coordinating demolition to break the fire’s path and stabilize the city.
- Lady GladwinProposes pulling down buildings to halt the blaze; rides with Robart to implement it.
- HelisentReaches safety after the fire traps the city; the sought skull is lost, but she survives.
- Sir BramelRescues Glorian from immediate danger at the fire’s outbreak.
- Doctor ForthardAttends Glorian as she coughs and recovers amid the smoke and heat.
- Kell BournShelters Helisent after her escape through the burning city.
- Prince ThericoBetrothed to Glorian; she orders him brought to secure an heir amid crisis.