Murtagh is hurled into a tangle box, a magician’s trap that crushes, deafens, prevents coherent thought, and removes the air. Unable to speak or focus on the ancient language, Murtagh spends his remaining strength on a wordless spell shaped by the intent to stop the shrieking sound, but he still cannot breathe and begins to lose consciousness.

Thorn breaks into the trap from above, tearing through stone and metal to let air reach Murtagh. The dragon pulls Murtagh from the muddy gravel that had pinned him inside and deposits him in Lyreth’s ruined dining hall, where Lyreth is gone, the table is shattered, and several guards lie dead.

Murtagh tries to recover and prepare to escape, but soldiers gather outside as the damaged house begins to collapse. When falling roof tiles strike Thorn’s back, Thorn’s confinement and fear overwhelm him. Murtagh tries to calm Thorn through their mental bond, but Thorn is too panicked to hear him.

Thorn thrashes until the building comes down around them, forcing Murtagh to rely on his wards while debris drains his strength. Outside, soldiers surround the square and fire arrows; Murtagh shatters the arrows with magic, but Thorn remains beyond reason, smashes nearby houses with his tail, and finally seizes Murtagh in one paw.

Thorn launches into the air while soldiers flee below. Murtagh glimpses Esvar, Du Vrangr Gata spellcasters, and elves attempting magic, but Thorn answers attacks with flame. The dragon burns buildings as he flies across Gil’ead, resists or outlasts a spell that chills and thins the air around him, then climbs away from the city with Murtagh trapped in his claws.