Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Aris runs from Raker into the Storm Woods, surviving violent wind-beasts and an eyeless specter by mastering her fear. Ambushed by Valen hunting a bounty, Aris heals her instead and learns a cavalry seeks both Aris and Raker. Aris returns to warn Raker; he spares her and allows her to follow. The approaching riders’ crest reveals the gods themselves are hunting them.
Summary
Aris slips away from the lakeside ruin, believing Raker has abandoned her, and rows to shore. She pushes alone into the Storm Woods, where the gale manifests as storm serpents and a screaming, eyeless woman. Remembering a joyful childhood moment, Aris starves the specter of fear and survives.
On a forest road she spots fresh hoofprints before Valen ambushes her for a bounty on Aris. A falling branch crushes Valen’s arm mid-attack; despite the attempt on her life, Aris frees her and uses precious steelclaw saliva to heal Valen’s shattered arm and infected stab wound.
In pain and feverish, Valen reveals an immortal promised her a shortcut to magic if she delivered Aris to a nearby cavalry also hunting “the head of the king’s guard”—Raker. Shaken, Aris races back toward the ruin, wracked with guilt for having taken one of the boats that could help the riders reach Raker.
Aris reaches the cliff as a column of knights advances toward the black lake. Raker, having swum the waters, seizes her from behind but spares her when she warns him of the bounty. Despite their rupture, he allows her to follow.
As the cavalry enters the lake, a flashed crest suggests divine allegiance. Aris and Raker understand the escalation: this is not a lord’s hunt—now the gods are hunting them.
Who Appears
- ArisNarrator; leaves Raker, endures Storm Woods’ entities, resists a specter, heals Valen, learns of a bounty, and returns to warn Raker.
- Harlan RakerMasked warrior bound to Aris; earlier rejected her, then spares her and permits her to follow as cavalry approaches.
- ValenSkilled archer competitor; ambushes Aris for a bounty, is crushed by a branch, and is healed by Aris; divulges the cavalry’s hunt.
- Eyeless womanSpectral, screaming figure in white who hunts fear; releases Aris when Aris focuses on a joyful memory.
- Cavalry (gods’ riders)Dozens of mounted knights advancing on the lake; their crest implies the gods now hunt Aris and Raker.