7. Everen: The Queen’s Decree

Everen predicts another wraith incursion and warns Cassia; the warriors launch and destroy the creatures with only minor injuries, but Everen senses repeated attacks as the Veil weakens. The next morning, Cassia frees Everen from his prison and brings him to Queen Naccara’s great cavern for judgment, despite Everen’s yearning to fly.

Before the ruling circle—Queen Naccara, Mace, Cassia, and the Seer Miligrist—Everen challenges his mother over his confinement. Naccara reveals it was both punishment and protection, since many dragons wanted to challenge him. She declares that fate, per Miligrist and Cassia’s readings, still has plans for him, so his life depends on obedience.

At the scrying pools, all take preterit form and robe. Miligrist admits the scrysilver has shown her nothing since the Feast of Flowers. Everen and Cassia kiss the silver and enter a shared vision, witnessing an immense interworld serpent—the Dreamer—wounded and bleeding red light. Remembering an ancient warning not to wake the Dreamer, they pull back.

Shaken, the elders acknowledge that the Dreamer’s awakening would end all things and that fate’s course has twisted. Everen presses for recognition that his choice at the Feast of Flowers was right; after a long pause, Naccara concedes fate showed him true. With wraith threats ongoing and guidance uncertain, they set new terms.

Mace states they lack warriors, so Everen must fight wraiths and warn of Veil rips. Naccara orders him to continue scrying but to keep it secret, hiding Miligrist’s lost visions to maintain stability. He may move freely but only under watch by Mace, Cassia, or Miligrist, and all visions must be recorded.

Finally, Naccara strips Everen of the Emberclaw name and all princely titles to curb his influence, asserting she will never bow to humans despite his hopes for peace. Everen accepts the decree—acknowledged yet punished—understanding that any misstep could return him to prison or mean death.