Throne of Glass, #3
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 23
Overview
During the wyvern selection, Manon’s plan to claim the mighty Titus is destroyed when Iskra shoves her into the pit. A scarred bait wyvern saves Manon, kills Titus, and earns Manon’s loyalty, leading her to claim and name him Abraxos.
The choice humiliates Mother Blackbeak and deepens the conflict with Iskra, while also revealing Manon’s instinct for recognizing strength outside the brutal hierarchy she serves. Abraxos becomes both a liability and a potential advantage, forcing Manon to stake her leadership on training an underestimated survivor.
Summary
At the Northern Fang, the witches gather for mount selection. Manon expects to claim Titus, the largest and most vicious wyvern, even though Iskra Yellowlegs and Petrah Blueblood also seem interested. The Matrons insist that contested claims will be settled by drawing sticks, frustrating Manon because she would rather fight for the beast.
Wyverns are displayed one by one in the pit by attacking a chained bait beast. Sentinels claim mounts, Petrah chooses a wild female, and Asterin claims a stealthy pale-blue female suited to scouting. Petrah quietly tells Manon she would rather see Manon have Titus than Iskra, signaling a possible political divide among the heirs.
When Titus finally enters, the wyvern proves cruel as well as powerful, ignoring commands and tormenting the wounded bait beast. Iskra dares Manon to go get him, then shoves Manon from the viewing platform into the pit. Injured and separated from the gate by Titus, Manon realizes the chained bait beast does not see her as prey and wants to fight Titus.
Manon frees the bait beast by cutting its chain, and the smaller, scarred wyvern attacks Titus with unexpected skill and ferocity. When Titus gains the upper hand, Manon repays the beast’s aid by severing Titus’s tail. The bait beast uses the opening to tear out Titus’s throat, saving Manon and proving himself a warrior rather than a worthless sacrifice.
Manon claims the bait beast as her mount and names him Abraxos. Iskra is not publicly accused; Manon says she lost her footing, refusing to give Iskra the satisfaction while Manon is too injured to retaliate. Mother Blackbeak punishes Asterin for failing to protect Manon by having Iskra whip her in front of the others.
The next day, Mother Blackbeak rages that Manon has humiliated the Blackbeaks by choosing a small, untested wyvern who may not even be able to fly. Manon visits Abraxos in his new pen and rejects the overseer’s suggestion that she train with another mount. Although handlers doubt Abraxos can survive the Crossing or command other wyverns, Manon resolves to train him, win the War Games, and prove every doubter wrong.
Who Appears
- Manon BlackbeakWing Leader; survives the pit, claims Abraxos, and refuses to abandon her choice.
- AbraxosScarred bait wyvern who saves Manon, kills Titus, and becomes her chosen mount.
- TitusMassive coveted bull wyvern; attacks Manon and is killed by Abraxos.
- Iskra YellowlegsYellowlegs heir; shoves Manon into the pit and later whips Asterin.
- Asterin BlackbeakManon’s Second; attacks Iskra after the shove and is punished for failing Manon.
- Petrah BluebloodBlueblood heir; chooses a fierce female wyvern and quietly supports Manon over Iskra.
- Mother BlackbeakManon’s grandmother; punishes Asterin and berates Manon for choosing Abraxos.
- Cresseida BluebloodBlueblood Matron; oversees claims and approves Petrah’s chosen mount.
- The overseerHuman handler who warns Manon that Abraxos may never fly or train safely.