56. Everen: Two Dragons

Everen wakes floating, drugged with Elixir, chained before a radiant dragonstone tree above a pool of scrysilver. He cannot access his power. Across the pool stand Ammil in preterit form, Sorin, and a blank-eyed student. Ammil pricks Everen’s skin, samples his blood, and tugs on the bond with Arcady, who lies groggy nearby.

Ammil admits he seeded crafted visions via scrysilver, manipulating prophecy and belief to lure Everen. He argues humans have drained the dragonstone tree—tethering children with carved cylinders and relics—and that magic has grown sick as the Veil weakens. He claims sacrifices are necessary, and that Jask steals remnants, but insists his aim is to heal the serpent and restore balance.

Ammil reveals that wraiths now descend on Vere Celene; with Naccara sleeping, Cassia leads the defense, which he expects to fail. Everen asserts the dragons’ strength, but Ammil remains unmoved. He refuses Everen’s plea to free Arcady, stating he needs both of them to proceed.

Ammil explains his failed attempt twelve years prior with Barrow Eremia and why a bonded human-dragon pair is essential. Through Everen and Arcady’s bond, Ammil can direct the magic stream while draining them and others, preserving his own strength. Sorin, enthralled, cannot intervene despite Everen’s call.

As Everen’s fury rises under the Elixir’s influence, Ammil goads him, then presses a hand to Everen’s brow and commands him to sleep, declaring Everen was always becoming him. With Everen subdued and Arcady captured, Ammil prepares to begin his plan.