Contents
Chapter 34 — Oro
Overview
Oro, Lynx, and Wraith track Isla across a battlefield and recover her storm ring. Oro receives a forced vision through Cronan’s connection to Isla, witnessing Cronan’s assault and Lark imprisoned. The vision confirms Isla’s suffering and Cronan’s proximity, while Grim posits the connection may be mutual, offering a potential advantage.
Summary
Oro rides Lynx, both grieving Isla’s loss and determined to find her. They cross fields scarred by past battles, including the carcasses from the fight against Lark, while Oro reflects on recent, relentless pursuits and his guilt over not involving Lynx sooner.
As Lynx races on Isla’s scent, Oro’s vision abruptly shifts: through Isla’s perspective he sees a dark cell with a mangled Lark, a shademade knight dragging Isla, and a circular chamber with a galaxy-like view. Cronan appears, crowned with broken blades, and unleashes shadows from the crown that strike Isla, eliciting her scream before the vision shatters.
Returning to the field, Oro meets Grim and Wraith as they land. Between them lies Isla’s storm ring—proof they are on her trail and a possible “living piece” they had sought. Oro recounts the vision, concluding Cronan’s connection to Isla is flickering yet invasive.
Grim, reading Oro’s panic, suggests the bond might be reciprocal. This raises the possibility of using the connection to reach or read Cronan, reframing their pursuit with a potential strategic opening as they continue the search for Isla.
Who Appears
- OroSunling king; tracks Isla with Lynx and Wraith, receives a vision of Cronan attacking Isla, and finds her storm ring.
- LynxIsla’s bonded panther; leads the search by scent, shares Oro’s grief, and helps locate the storm ring.
- GrimNightshade leader; arrives with Wraith, assesses Oro’s vision, and suggests the Cronan–Isla link may be two-way.
- WraithSwift ally; arrives with Grim and helps spot Isla’s storm ring in the grass.
- IslaAbsent physically; seen through a vision being dragged and struck by Cronan’s shadows, confirming her peril.
- CronanAntagonist; appears in Oro’s vision wearing a blade-like crown, attacks Isla via a shadow assault, revealing an active link.
- LarkFormer immortal foe; glimpsed mangled and imprisoned in a dark cell during Oro’s vision.