The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 40: Romie
Overview
Romie’s group pursues Tol’s vow to free the captive dragon, Gwenhael, learning the Sun Forger–Night Bringer balance is broken and that the Forger’s power persists in Tol. Collars are revealed to sever divine bonds. The Knight Commander attacks, but Virgil frees Gwenhael, who prepares to unleash flame.
Summary
Reeling from Emory’s magic siphon, Romie and the others flee the arena as knights pursue. Tol leads them toward the tunnels where the demon vanished, determined to free the captured dragon despite Aspen warning it’s the wrong way out. Emory, ashamed, breaks off alone under a Darkbearer cloak.
They reach the dragon’s chamber, finding the beast chained and weakened. The dragon speaks mind-to-mind, naming itself Gwenhael and condemning the Fellowship’s torture to harvest heart-flame. Gwenhael recounts the balanced origins of the Sun Forger and Night Bringer, whose feud devastated the world until both chose underworld exile to restore balance.
Tol believes the Sun Forger died when he felt a heart stop in this chamber, but Gwenhael senses the Forger’s energy here and declares it lives on in Tol. Gwenhael reveals their collars sever bonds to their makers’ magic, blocking Tol’s draconic shift and the dragon’s regeneration. If freed, Gwenhael promises to lead them to keepers of the old ways who might know where to wake the Forger and restore balance.
The Knight Commander confronts Tol, branding him a traitor and forcing a duel he tries to avoid. As blades clash, Virgil uses water for bloodletting to corrode the chains. The metal withers, Gwenhael snaps free with a roar, and then lowers its head, white-hot flame gathering in its throat as the scene ends.
Who Appears
- RomiePOV survivor; weakened by Emory’s siphon, follows Tol to the dragon and gauges revelations.
- Tol (Anatolius)Determined draconic; seeks to free Gwenhael; learns Sun Forger’s power lives in him; duels Commander.
- GwenhaelChained dragon; communicates telepathically; reveals Sun Forger–Night Bringer balance and severing collars.
- EmoryOverloaded Tidethief; inadvertently severs link, then departs alone under a cloak to handle unknown task.
- VirgilUses bloodletting at a water puddle to rust the dragon’s chains and enable Gwenhael’s escape.
- Knight CommanderLeader of draconic knights; hunts fugitives, confronts Tol as traitor, and forces a duel.
- AspenRecently revived witch; warns about the exit, follows Tol, shares silent urgency with Romie.
- NishaHelps Romie up, stays close through danger, witnesses Gwenhael’s revelations.
- VeraDesperate escapee; questions where to flee, follows Tol into the dragon’s chamber.