Chapter 17

Diem realizes too late that the gryvern’s hearing has given away their hiding place. The King of Ignios ignites his Crown and begins torching the abandoned city to draw out “Lumnos,” threatening a nameless death. He incinerates a granary, a kiosk, and nearby carts while the gryvern, Tybold, keeps staring at Diem’s concealment.

Two Ignios officers report the buildings are long empty. Noting fresh blood and the oasis, the King orders riders to arrive by midday and a final aerial scout. At Tybold’s signal toward the dunes, the King departs. Diem bolts into the city, terrified that Taran or Luther may have burned; she finds a scimitar in ashes and fears the worst until Alixe leads her to a cellar where Taran and Luther emerge alive.

They regroup. With the Royal Guard due tomorrow, Taran proposes retreating to Arboros, but Alixe warns of godstone weaponry. Diem insists they must leave Ignios entirely and reach Umbros along the firmer coastal sand, despite the danger that the Umbros Queen knows their secrets. Luther prefers waiting to call Sorae once flameroot fades, but Diem refuses to risk drawing Guardians. They compromise on leaving at first light to head straight to the Umbros port.

That night, Diem secretly checks Taran, finding fever and black lines spreading from his godstone wound. She lies to Alixe about the night’s quiet and sets a covert plan in motion. After preparing supplies, she slips out, pausing when she sees Luther bathing alone, hiding his scars. A staged clang lures Alixe and Luther to investigate the cellar house, giving Diem the gap she needs.

Diem sprints for the dunes and collapses at the crest, confirming her friends are still distracted. She resumes her escape toward Umbros under full moonlight, accepting the risk of the telltale footprints she leaves behind.