Throne of Glass, #7
Kingdom of Ash
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 63
Overview
Aedion’s trapped army prepares for a final stand near the Florine, only to learn that Ansel’s promised reinforcements have been annihilated by Morath. At the last moment, Rolfe and the Mycenians arrive with firelances, forcing Morath back long enough to evacuate Terrasen’s forces across the river. The rescue saves the army from immediate destruction but leaves Orynth as the next desperate refuge, with too few firelances to withstand the witch towers.
Summary
Aedion and Kyllian hold their terrified forces together as Morath’s bone drums close in near the Florine. Knowing retreat north is useless, Aedion asks Ren, as Lord of Allsbrook, to send messengers in every direction and have them beg for aid in Terrasen’s name. Aedion frames it as his final order, and Ren obeys.
Aedion takes his place in the front line, burdened by guilt that his choices have trapped the army short of Orynth. Morath emerges from the snow, and Lysandra appears nearby in ghost leopard form, though Aedion avoids looking at her. The first exchange of arrows reveals a brutal blow: Morath has fired the severed heads of Ansel of Briarcliff’s reinforcements, showing that the army they had been waiting for has been destroyed.
As Morath charges, Aedion rallies the line with the command that they fight and die together. Just before impact, flame erupts from the left flank, making Aedion briefly think Aelin has returned. Instead, ships have arrived on the Florine bearing Rolfe’s cobalt sea-dragon banner and Mycenian soldiers armed with firelances.
The firelances burn through Morath’s ranks and cause the enemy to retreat in fear, mistaking the weapons for renewed magic from the Fire-Bringer. Rolfe orders Aedion’s army aboard the ships and boats, and the evacuation begins. Aedion, Galan, Lysandra, and Ansel hold until the last soldiers are away, while the Mycenians cover the retreat with flame.
Once aboard Rolfe’s ship, Lysandra shifts back into human form and embraces the Pirate Lord, who says Ravi and Sol sent him after realizing Terrasen’s army might be in trouble. Rolfe warns that the firelances bought time but will not hold Morath back for long. Lysandra carries Aedion’s order for the main army to march to Orynth, while Aedion, Lysandra, Ansel, and others prepare to sail there in advance.
Ansel silently grieves the slaughter of her soldiers, and Aedion learns Rolfe has too few firelances to endure a siege. Aedion also recognizes that even the firelances will be useless once Morath’s witch towers reach Orynth’s walls.
Who Appears
- Aedion AshryverCommands Terrasen’s trapped army, calls for aid, and organizes evacuation after Rolfe’s rescue.
- RolfePirate Lord who arrives with Mycenian ships and firelances to rescue Aedion’s forces.
- LysandraFights in ghost leopard form, helps hold the line, and relays orders to Kyllian.
- Ren AllsbrookReceives Aedion’s order to send messengers begging for aid in Terrasen’s name.
- Ansel of BriarcliffSees evidence that her promised reinforcements were destroyed and silently grieves their deaths.
- KyllianHelps maintain order among the troops and receives Lysandra’s instructions to march for Orynth.
- Prince GalanHolds the line during the evacuation and retreats with the remaining leaders.
- Ravi and Sol of SuriaSend Rolfe toward Aedion’s army while staying behind to guard Terrasen’s vulnerable coast.