Throne of Glass, #5
Empire of Storms
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
CHAPTER 48
Overview
In the aftermath of the ilken attack, the group repairs what it can and learns more from Manon about Morath’s creatures and her own identity as the last Crochan Queen. Manon’s blunt challenge steadies Aelin, but Fenrys’s phrase about Maeve and the “Nameless” price triggers Aelin’s fear that Baba Yellowlegs’s old prophecy is connected to their current danger.
Aelin retreats in distress and becomes violently ill, prompting Rowan to seek Lysandra while privately fearing what the sickness could mean. When Rowan scouts ahead, he discovers Eyllwe’s coast in flames, turning their search for the Lock into an immediate crisis.
Summary
After the ilken attack, the ship’s crew works through the night to patch Manon’s cabin and tend the wounded. Dorian uses the small amount of healing Rowan taught him to close injuries, while Rowan, Aelin, and Gavriel handle the poison. Fenrys and Aedion are mobile but battered, Abraxos is wounded, and Manon refuses to let anyone near the wyvern.
Dorian approaches Manon, and their uneasy attraction surfaces again as they discuss the magic Dorian used to kill the Bloodhound. Manon tells Dorian that his choice to kill cleanly rather than torture means he still recognizes a moral line, even if Dorian fears becoming monstrous. When Aelin demands information about the ilken, Manon explains that the creatures came from the mountains near Morath, were hard even for her Shadows to track, and may be more than simple warriors or scouts.
Aelin’s exhaustion and sense of failure show, but Manon sharply tells Aelin not to get distracted by a minor defeat because war will bring far worse losses. The confrontation turns into a revelation: Manon says the Blackbeak Matron stripped away her titles and told Manon that her father was a Crochan prince and her mother was killed for trying to end the witch feud. Manon declares herself the last Crochan Queen and still heir to the Blackbeak Clan, making Aelin recognize Manon’s value as another displaced queen with a shattered plan.
The group then questions why Erawan waited so long to move against Aelin and Dorian. Aelin says Erawan believed she was dead and that Dorian’s father shielded Dorian, but Fenrys suggests Maeve may have known more. During the argument, Fenrys says, Nameless is the price of Maeve’s allegiance, and the wording deeply unsettles Aelin because it echoes something Baba Yellowlegs once said. Manon explains that some witches, especially the Ancients, can perceive time strangely and that Yellowlegs likely hid prophetic truth in veiled words.
Aelin withdraws to her cabin, and Rowan follows, only to find her locked in the bathing room and violently ill. Aelin refuses to explain and asks to speak with Lysandra, leaving Rowan frightened by what her sickness might mean. Rowan sends Lysandra to Aelin, then shifts and flies ahead to scout, where the rising sun reveals Eyllwe’s coastline and dozens of fishing villages burning.
Who Appears
- Aelin Galathyniusexhausted queen shaken by the attack, Manon’s warning, and a prophetic phrase.
- Manonwitch and wyvern rider who reveals she is the last Crochan Queen.
- Dorian Havilliardheals the wounded, speaks with Manon, and reflects on his changing magic.
- Rowan Whitethornprotective mate who follows Aelin, summons Lysandra, and discovers Eyllwe burning.
- Fenrysrecovering warrior whose comment about Maeve’s allegiance triggers Aelin’s realization.
- Aedion Ashryverwounded general who watches Manon warily and challenges Fenrys about Maeve.
- Lysandrashifter who keeps watch after Manon’s anger and is summoned to help Aelin.
- Gavrielhelps treat poison and joins the discussion around Manon’s revelations.
- AbraxosManon’s wounded wyvern, fiercely guarded by Manon after the ilken attack.