Throne of Glass, #4
Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 57
Overview
Aelin’s rescue team reaches Oakwald and discovers the terrifying scale of Morath’s wyvern force, along with the lethal discipline of the witch Wing Leader and her coven. The sight makes Aelin grasp that Terrasen’s future army could be crushed unless the threat is stopped.
As the Blackbeak Matron and the king’s party arrive, Aelin must balance the urgent need to save Lysandra with the danger posed by Dorian’s Valg-possessed body. The chapter raises the stakes by placing Lysandra, Dorian, the witches, and the king’s forces on the same battlefield.
Summary
Aelin, Rowan, Aedion, Chaol, and Nesryn move silently through Oakwald toward the temple area where Lysandra is expected to be delivered. Rowan and Aedion lead with Fae senses, while Chaol helps guide them through forest terrain he knows from past hunts with Dorian. Aelin struggles with the limitations of her human form but forces herself to focus on the mission.
The group climbs into the trees and looks down on a meadow filled with wyverns. Aelin sees that the creatures are enormous, saddled, and deadly, with poisoned tail barbs and the ability to travel vast distances. One scarred wyvern has spidersilk grafted into its wings, while the rest appear powerful enough to destroy soldiers with ease, making Aelin realize how devastating Morath’s aerial army would be against Terrasen.
Aelin then observes the witches, especially the white-haired Wing Leader in a red cloak. The Wing Leader’s beauty, command, and lethal presence terrify Aelin, as do the discipline and cohesion of the twelve witches around her. Rowan tries to steady Aelin by reminding her that she once killed a Matron, but Aelin recognizes that these witches are a tightly bonded and dangerous fighting unit.
Aelin concludes that Lysandra must not be allowed within thirty feet of the wyverns, because once Lysandra is loaded onto one, rescue may be impossible. Rowan hears horses approaching from the north and wings from the west, so the group retreats to a concealed outcropping where they can watch before acting.
Before the arrivals, Aelin warns Chaol not to move regardless of what he sees, because they must assess Dorian and the Valg prince before taking action. Aelin asks Chaol to make sure Lysandra escapes through the forest, and Chaol promises. Aelin also assures Chaol that she will not harm Dorian, which eases him.
From concealment, the group watches the witches assemble. The white-haired Wing Leader greets an older black-haired witch Aelin identifies as the Blackbeak Matron, whose party brings a covered wagon in Blackbeak colors. Then the royal party arrives: the King of Adarlan, a familiar prison wagon, and Dorian riding at his father’s side with the black collar on his neck and no humanity visible in his face.
Who Appears
- Aelin Ashryver GalathyniusLeads the rescue mission, assesses the wyvern threat, and vows not to harm Dorian.
- Rowan WhitethornUses Fae senses to scout, identifies wyvern dangers, and steadies Aelin’s fear.
- Chaol WestfallGuides the group through familiar forest terrain and promises to get Lysandra to safety.
- Aedion AshryverScouts ahead with Rowan and reacts fiercely to the witches and rescue stakes.
- Nesryn FaliqProvides quiet armed cover with her bow as the team approaches the clearing.
- Manon BlackbeakWhite-haired Wing Leader commanding the Thirteen and inspecting the wyverns in Oakwald.
- Blackbeak MatronOlder witch leader arriving with a covered wagon in Blackbeak colors.
- Dorian HavilliardAppears collared and inhuman beside his father, heightening the rescue mission’s danger.
- King of AdarlanArrives with the royal party and prison wagon, bringing the central threat into view.
- LysandraRescue target whose capture drives the mission; Aelin fears she will be flown to Morath.