The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
Diem, Luther, Taran, and Alixe reach the abandoned Mortal City oasis, finding evidence of a mass flight and no food. Friction rises as Diem’s Guardian past resurfaces and Luther admits deeper collaboration; Taran’s wound shows infection. The Ignios King arrives on his gryvern, orders Diem seized and the others killed, senses Diem’s anomalous power, and nearly locates their hiding place.
Summary
Diem, Luther, Taran, and Alixe reach Mortal City’s oasis and first mistake it for a haven, only to find skeletons in the dunes and homes abandoned mid-life. They scavenge weapons and clothing but no real food, heightening their vulnerability. Discussion turns to the dangers of the coast and Ignios’s hostility after the Blood War.
Diem and the others debate Ignios’s treatment of mortals and the Guardians’ propaganda. While tending Taran, Diem hides that his shoulder wound oozes black infection, realizing he needs medicine they don’t have. Taran confronts Diem about her Guardian ties; she admits assisting with information.
Luther intervenes, confessing he aided the Guardians for years, even after Coeurîle, and accepts blame. Taran, hurt and dizzy, decides to be angry if he is to live, then staggers away. Diem and Alixe reaffirm loyalty and hopes of uniting good actors on both sides despite guilt and war.
A distant wingbeat grows; recognizing it cannot be Sorae, Diem and Alixe hide in a wood store. An immense golden Ignios gryvern lands with the Ignios King and two armed women. The King orders the women to search, capture Diem, and kill the others, then stalks the oasis, reading the sand with Forging magic.
The King senses a Crown-like presence that feels Ignios-born yet shattering, echoing Sophos’s accusation of imposture. He tries to force answers from his gryvern, Tybold, even striking it, but gryverns read intent, not minds. As Diem mutters, Tybold’s gaze locks on their hiding place, signaling imminent discovery.
Who Appears
- DiemNarrator; leads the group into Mortal City’s ruins, hides Taran’s infection, admits Guardian involvement, and narrowly avoids detection by the Ignios King.
- Ignios KingHostile Crown who arrives on a gryvern, orders Diem seized and others killed, reads the sand’s magic, and senses Diem’s anomalous signature.
- TaranWounded ally; argues over Diem’s Guardian ties, grows angry, weakens from an infected shoulder wound, and nearly collapses.
- LutherAlly who rejects going to the coast, admits extensive aid to the Guardians, and diverts Taran’s anger toward himself.
- AlixeLoyal guard; counsels Diem, reaffirms her vow, helps hide from the King, and reflects on Ignios’s fall after the Blood War.
- TyboldThe Ignios gryvern; enormous, abused by the King, ultimately fixes on Diem and Alixe’s hiding place.