Contents
Chapter Fifty-Three
Overview
Aeri decides the egg is not worth losing Royo, but Dia attacks an amarth sentinel. The amarth calms Dia, spares Aeri and Royo, and sends them away, keeping Dia in his care. He warns Aeri of an impending, painful choice of love. Aeri and Royo flee with the egg as night approaches.
Summary
Aeri, resolved not to risk Royo, moves to abandon the egg when Dia swoops in to attack the amarth sentinel. Fearing for Dia, Aeri pleads for mercy. Instead of striking, the amarth stills Dia and questions why the owl protects Aeri, learning of Aeri’s past kindness.
Recognizing that kindness, the amarth grants clemency. He urges Aeri to flee before other sentinels arrive, promises to care for Dia, and delivers a cryptic warning that Aeri faces an unenviable choice of love. He departs with Dia, leaving Aeri shaken.
Royo pulls Aeri to action, and they run for the horses. Aeri hides the egg in her saddlebag, uncertain whether the amarth can sense it, and they gallop away from the mountains, focused on escape.
As they ride through deepening snow and lowering light, Royo asks about the warning. Aeri admits confusion but assumes it means choosing between love and something else; she believes she would choose Royo. The chapter closes with them fleeing as the amarth awaken for night.
Who Appears
- AeriNarrator; nearly abandons the egg to protect Royo, spared by an amarth, loses Dia, flees with the egg.
- RoyoAeri’s companion; pulls Aeri to escape, questions the amarth’s warning, rides with her from the mountains.
- Amarth sentinelPowerful creature; calms Dia, spares Aeri and Royo, keeps Dia, warns Aeri of a looming love choice.
- DiaMoon owl; attacks the amarth to protect Aeri, is calmed, then taken into the amarth’s care.