Contents
Chapter Seventy-Five
Overview
Amid the massacre, Andren stages a triumph at the temple with Hounds and the Dragon contingent as prisoners. Nisthala takes the Dragon’s Eye from Jadu, subdues its will, and declares herself Queen, ordering the Dragons to remain and guard the binding. Jadu, freed of the Eye, withers and dies to ash, while Andren exults and Yasila wavers between pride and regret.
Summary
Amid burning boats on the Grand Canal, Andren arrives at the temple in a Dragon-prowed barge, flanked by Samran Hounds. He escorts Nisthala, who masks her feelings as taught by Yasila, and they enter past bound, drugged members of the Dragon contingent presented as captives. Andren taunts Yasila for summoning the Visitor to spare Ruko, declaring Ruko already secured “on board” and needed alive.
As sunlight brightens the stained glass, Nisthala begs to begin. Yasila unmuzzles Jadu, who immediately touches Nisthala and lifts her constant pain. Revealed scars show years of denied Dragon cleansing. Jadu accuses Yasila of keeping Nisthala from her true family; Yasila insists she protected her. Despite her youth, Nisthala declares her choice to serve the Dragon.
Nisthala seizes Jadu’s diadem, snaps out the emerald Eye, and embeds it in her own forehead. The fragment of the Dragon within tests her, but Nisthala, hardened by seven years of isolation, overwhelms it and asserts control. She dons Jadu’s cloak, takes the staff made from Yasila’s wreck, and claims authority. The Dragon contingent kneels as she commands them to remain on the island, guarding the Eight and maintaining the binding, banished from Helia.
Andren applauds, oblivious to Nisthala’s contempt. Jadu, now bereft of the Eye’s sustaining power, fades rapidly. As her eyes shift from amber to blue, she recalls her origins in Riversmeet and offers Yasila a final, tentative admission of love. Her body disintegrates into ash, leaving Nisthala enthroned in new power, Andren satisfied, and Yasila alone with the cost of her choices.
Who Appears
- NisthalaClaims the Dragon’s Eye, subdues its will, becomes Queen, and orders Dragons to guard the island.
- AndrenEmperor orchestrating a grim procession; secures Ruko elsewhere; exults as Nisthala takes power.
- YasilaNisthala’s mother; protects and maneuvers for her daughter; witnesses Jadu’s end with conflicted resolve.
- JaduFormer Dragon Eye-bearer; heals Nisthala, loses the Eye, recalls her past, and disintegrates into ash.
- Shal WorthyHound officer managing security and observing Jadu; stands guard at the temple doors.
- Samran HoundsElite enforcers lining the procession and temple, suppressing details and presenting control.
- Dragon contingentDrugged and bound prisoners; acknowledge Nisthala’s authority and accept exile to guard the binding.