The Dragon Scales, #2
Emberclaw
by L. R. Lam
Contents
49. Sorin: Scalded
Overview
Arcady arrives with news that Magnes/Ammil has taken Everen and demands Arcady enter the third trial at the monastery. Arcady recalls a vision implying Magnes and the Consul’s failed attempt to heal the serpent began the Strike. Sorin rejects escape, pledging to face Magnes with Arcady. As they depart, they unexpectedly encounter Larkin Nash instead of Wren.
Summary
At Kelwyn’s home, Sorin wakes before dawn, scalding her hand when Arcady arrives urgently at the window. Kelwyn lets Arcady in, and Arcady blurts that Everen has been taken. Sorin pulls Arcady into the spare room to speak privately and to sign in Trade.
Arcady recounts a nightmare-vision: twelve years ago Magnes and Arcady’s grandsire, the Consul, tried to heal the serpent, and something went wrong, likely sparking the Strike. Sorin recognizes this aligns with Magnes’s secretive guilt. Arcady believes Everen left to protect them and has now fallen into Magnes’s trap, sensed as if Everen is deeply asleep but alive.
Arcady explains a voice—Magnes—taunted them and commanded: enter the third trial at the monastery to save Everen. Sorin realizes Magnes allowed her to believe she’d broken free only to tighten control later. Arcady urges Sorin to flee the city and escape the spell’s pull while she goes alone to save Everen.
Sorin weighs running to Myria against the certainty that Magnes would hunt her forever. Concluding freedom requires ending him, Sorin commits to fight beside Arcady despite the risk. Arcady says Magnes told them to “take my medicine,” implying Elixir; Sorin warns against it, uncertain how it might affect Arcady’s bond with Everen, but hands over a vial for Arcady to decide later.
They leave the room planning to meet allies, but Kelwyn is gone. Expecting Wren downstairs, they descend to the shop—only to find Larkin Nash waiting.
Who Appears
- SorinInjured by scalding tea; rejects escape, commits to confront Magnes with Arcady; cautions against using the Elixir.
- ArcadyArrives in panic; reports Everen’s abduction; recalls vision linking Magnes and the Consul to the Strike; faces ultimatum.
- Magnes (Ammil)Offstage antagonist; abducts Everen, telepathically coerces Arcady to enter the third trial at the monastery.
- EverenAbsent but central; believed alive yet unreachable, held by Magnes to force Arcady’s compliance.
- KelwynHost to Sorin; briefly appears half-asleep, then disappears before the confrontation downstairs.
- Larkin NashUnexpected presence in Kelwyn’s shop, replacing the anticipated ally and raising new uncertainty.