Throne of Glass, #7
Kingdom of Ash
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
Aedion’s forces reach Darrow after a punishing march, only to be drawn into a bitter strategic debate over whether Terrasen should defend Orynth or confront Morath farther south. Darrow and the older lords overrule Aedion’s plan, but Terrasen’s foreign allies reaffirm their loyalty instead of abandoning the cause.
Lysandra’s impersonation of Aelin continues to hold politically, though it places her at the center of danger. The chapter ends with a supposed messenger revealing himself as Erawan’s agent and attacking her, turning political tension into immediate violence.
Summary
After Aedion’s army reaches Darrow’s position at nightfall, Aedion reports fewer than five hundred losses from the previous battle. Darrow demands a dawn meeting to discuss strategy with the other Terrasen lords, but Aedion resents Darrow’s authority and the brutal march forced on exhausted soldiers who now need shelter.
By morning, heavy snow has worsened the army’s conditions. Lysandra, still impersonating Aelin, goes to Darrow’s war tent with Ansel. Inside, Terrasen’s lords, commanders, Fae royals, and allied leaders gather around a map showing Morath’s forces blocking much of the South.
Darrow argues that the army should retreat to Orynth and prepare for siege, while Aedion pushes for moving south to the border, using the foothills and familiar terrain to slow Erawan’s advance. The discussion turns contentious when some lords doubt Manon Blackbeak’s warning about witch towers, but Lysandra, Aedion, and others insist the threat is real and too dangerous to ignore.
Only the six Lords of Terrasen are allowed to vote. Sol and Ren support Aedion’s border strategy, but Darrow, Sloane, Gunnar, and Ironwood vote to fall back to Orynth. Darrow then releases their allies from any obligation to remain, but Galan, Endymion, Ilias, and Ansel each indicate that they will stay and continue fighting beside Terrasen despite the decision.
A messenger named Nox enters and quietly reports to Darrow, then a pale stranger is brought into the tent with a supposed message from Eldrys. Aedion and Lysandra scent the danger a moment too late: the stranger smiles, says Erawan sends his regards, and unleashes a blast of black wind directly at Lysandra in Aelin’s form.
Who Appears
- LysandraImpersonates Aelin at the war council and becomes the target of Erawan’s sudden attack.
- Aedion AshryverCommands the army, argues for a southern border strategy, and protects Aelin’s deception.
- DarrowDominates the council, pushes retreat to Orynth, and limits the vote to Terrasen’s lords.
- Ansel of BriarcliffSupports Lysandra’s deception, defends Aelin’s lack of fire, and vows to keep fighting.
- Prince GalanReaffirms Wendlyn’s loyalty to Aelin and refuses to abandon Terrasen.
- Prince EndymionFae royal ally who weighs strategy and confirms his oath to Rowan and Terrasen.
- Princess SelleneFae royal who supports moving south because it offers more routes of escape.
- Ren AllsbrookTerrasen lord who supports the border plan and defends Oakwald’s loyalty to Brannon’s heirs.
- SolTerrasen lord who votes with Ren for the army to move toward the border.
- Lord SloaneOlder Terrasen lord who distrusts Manon’s warning and votes to retreat to Orynth.
- Lord GunnarHarsh older Terrasen lord who favors Orynth’s walls and challenges Aedion’s plan.
- Lord IronwoodTerrasen lord who sides with Darrow in voting to retreat to Orynth.
- IliasSilent Assassins representative who wordlessly indicates his continued support for Aelin’s cause.
- NoxMessenger who recognizes Aelin’s appearance and brings word leading to the stranger’s entrance.
- Erawan’s agentPale stranger posing as a messenger from Eldrys before attacking with black wind.