70 North

Under the midnight sun, Wulf fights through smoke and fire as wyrms and lesser beasts ravage Bithandun. With housecarls and civilians alike battling, Wulf helps save Thella from lindworms and joins Einlek at a breach, where they ram creatures out and barricade the gap. A returning wyvern traps them—until a whaler’s harpoon drops it, turning the tide and scattering the attackers.

By dawn, the invaders withdraw. The victors mount the wyvern’s head on the gate and gather in the scarred hall to eat scant rations and honor the dead. Einlek praises their courage, names the harpooner Góthur Wyrmkiller, and vows vengeance against Fýredel. Privately, he tasks Wulf to ride to the Oxhorn outpost, Járthfall, to recall its seasoned defenders, trusting Wulf’s resistance to plague and endurance in cold.

Einlek confirms Glorian’s planned coronation and reports other great wyrms—Dedalugun, Orsul, and the ranging Valeysa—may be moving. Wulf, warmed by thoughts of Glorian’s hidden pregnancy, observes the wounded tended and debates with Thrit, who argues for hiding to survive. At dawn, Einlek orders the dead consigned to the sea to curb plague and gives Wulf the destrier Prúth, urging caution with the Hüran and speed in returning the fighters.

Thrit refuses to be left behind and secures permission to accompany Wulf, despite the risk of bloodblaze. Einlek reveals Karlsten and Sauma are stationed at Járthfall and hopes the lith will reunite. Wulf and Thrit ride out together toward the Barrowmark and the Northern Plain, unaware that a small Inysh ship is straining toward Eldyng’s smoking shore.